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TELECOM Digest     Mon, 1 May 95 09:50:00 CDT    Volume 15 : Issue 219

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    MFS Advertising Irony (Dave Levenson)
    Re: Local Competition Epiphany (Michael D. Sullivan)
    BRI to Bipolar T1 (Joseph Hagan)
    PayPhone (COCOT and RBOC) Newsgroup ([e-mail])
    Cross-Border Local Calls (Dale Crouse)
    CFP: Special Issue of Journal of Symbolic Computation (Mehmet Orgun)
    Fiber Loops and Coax Converters (Theodore F. Vaida)
    Looking For Integrated E1/V.34/PPP - TCP/IP/Ethernet Solution (P.
Nikander)
    ThinkPad Modem in India (S. Arora)
    Internet in Dubai? (Sandy Kyrish)
    Regulation of PA Cable and Carriers (Theodore F. Vaida)
    Challenging Phone Bill (Grady Ward)
    International Telephone Number Length - Maximum Allowed (David E A
Wilson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------



The radio advertisement for MFS was a clever parody.  It featured an
automated attendant answering for your local telephone company, with
a bored voice intoning (paraphrased a bit):

 "This is your telephone company...
 If you need repair service, press 1
 If you need to discuss your bill, please take a number
 If you don't have a telephone at all, please call later..."

This was contrasted with an apparently live and happy-sounding voice
answering:

 "MFS, Can I help you?"

This was followed by a the suggestion that you are no-longer limited
to one local telephone company, and an invitation to call 800-669-6374
for more information.

Later that day, I called the 800 number in the ad.  Just like on the
radio, a live human being answered the phone:

 "MFS, Can I help you?"

 "Good morning," I replied, "can you tell me if you offer local
 service in Morris County, New Jersey?"

 "No, sir, I can't.  You'll have to call our New Jersey office at
 201-938-7700 for that information"

I thanked the MFS live attendant, and called the 201 number she had
given me.  That phone was answered by another live human being:

 "MFS, Can I help you?"

 "Good morning, can you tell me if you serve Morris County,
 New Jersey?"

 "No, sir, you'll have to call our Lyndhurst office at
 201-507-8100 about service there."

I called the Lyndhurst number.

 "MFS, Can I help you?"

When I repeated my question about local service (for the third time,
now) the Lyndhurst live body transferred my call to a sales
representative.  The sales representative answered:

 "MFS, this is Christine, can I help you?"

 "Good morning, can you tell me if you serve Morris County?"
 I asked, by now somewhat amused by the whole process.

This time, my question was answered in the affirmative.  The rep
then put me on HOLD while going to look something up.  While I was
on hold, another party said:

 "MFS, Can I help you"

 "I was talking with Christine," I told her.

 "Oh, just a minute..."

The call was then answered by Christine's voice mail greeting (with
no automated-attendant menu options).  I left my number and hung up.
Christine called me back after about five minutes.

So what did I learn from all of this?

In case anybody else in this area wants to know, MFS doesn't actually
offer local dialtone in Morris County (but some day soon, according to
Christine).  They do offer intra- and inter-LATA toll service,
accessed by a 10xxx code or (for inter-LATA calls) by becoming your
default inter-exchange carrier.  Their rates were somewhat higher than
we now pay another carrier.


Dave Levenson  Internet: [e-mail]
Stirling, NJ, USA Voice: 908 647 0900 Fax: [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: That sounds like sort of cheap-shot
advertising in my opinion. As evidenced by your experience, MFS has
no idea at all what large volume, massive amounts of inbound calling
is all about, as would your local telco business office. Telco handles
a hundred times the volume of calls inbound to their various business
offices in a day that MFS gets in a week, and probably does so with
much more effeciency -- despite their voicemail front end, or perhaps
because of it -- than MFS with their telling you to make several calls
all over the county to get what you wanted. Note how they advertised
on your local radio station, then are completely unprepared to accept
your call and deal with it at the number they announced.   PAT]

------------------------------



Donald E. Kimberlin <[e-mail]> writes:

>        For the past four days, full-page ads have appeared in the
> Charlotte, North Carolina {Observer}, telling of a coalition of
> companies that seek particular objectives in U.S. Federal legislation
> concerning local telephone competition.  Those who remember "how it
> used to be" will find some of the statements no less than an
> astounding change from what AT&T once used to say to the world, in
> addition to noting AT&T's recognition of entities it would once have
> hoped to ignore and perhaps even hogtie to death.  It certainly seems
> AT&T has discovered a new reality, and now has joined in to promote a
> new reality into local telephone business in the U.S.

Welcome to the brave new world of "grass roots" politics.  The ad found
its way into the Charlotte paper to generate letters to Fritz Holings,
who is the senior Democrat on the Senate Communications Subcommittee,
from his home ground.  And the same AT&T that is the driving force
behind
the "coalition" sponsoring this ad had its chairman testify last year
before Sen. Metzenbaum's hearing on media megamergers that local
telephone competition was virtually impossible, and told the FCC that
local exchange service was a "natural monopoly."  In other words, they
are perfectly willing to let the Bells into interexchange competition
only when local competition has fully occurred, a condition it has
publicly equated with Satan skidding on ice.  If local competition is
such an impossibility, why are they now lobbying for it?  Makes one
wonder about how far you can throw any press release (or testimony) by
AT&T.


Michael D. Sullivan | INTERNET E-MAIL TO:  [e-mail]
Bethesda, Md., USA  | also [e-mail], [e-mail]

------------------------------



Boy do I have a good one ... I have been looking for this one for two
or three months:

I am looking for a mux/imux/csu that will allow me to connect two
Telco-type, vanilla flavored, generic, T1 channel banks (ESF, voice
and LS data) using 3+ ISDN BRI 2B+D lines as opposed to leased line T1
or Switched 384K. (My total bandwidth requirement is only 384KBps.)  I
have found lots of gear that will do V.35, RS-449, EIA 530 at 1.544;
but I need something that will synch something as unglamorous as
channel banks.

I thought this was a piece of cake (but it's Devil's food).  Any help or
ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Joseph Hagan
Full Circle Communications
email: [e-mail]

------------------------------



Hello All,


 I was reading through this news-group and a thought popped
into my head.  I wanted to know if there was a news-group or a mailing
list that anyone knew of designed specifically for those interested in
the payfone (AOS, COCOT, etc) aspect of telecom.  If there isn't, I
would like to know how many people might be interested in alt.coin-phone
or comp.dcom.telecom.coin, or something like that.


adam      [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It seems to me you can stretch things too
thin here. Unless you are interested in adding still one or two more to
the total number of 'newsgroups' circulating each day (what is it up to
now, about seven thousand?) it hardly seems worthwhile to parse this
topic down into even smaller groups, giving the spammers still one more
place to post their get-rich-in-thirty-days and sell-long-distance
service
at home messages.  PAT]

------------------------------



I noticed in the FAQ file for TELECOM Digest that cross border toll-free
dialing is available from some points in Maine to New Brunswick, and
from
a New York community to Quebec.  At one time I new of toll-free dialing
from Portal, North Dakota to North Portal, Saskatchewan.  Does anyone
know
if this is still true?  Also, I believe there was toll-free dialing from
El Paso, Texas to Juarez, Mexico. I'm curious if this is still in
effect.

The FAQ article also makes reference to cross-border dialing from Point
Roberts, Washington to Vancouver, BC. I believe that used to be offered
on
an unregulated basis by BC Tel, but the franchise was sold to Whidby
Island Telephone in the 1980's, and they instituted a toll charge for
cross-border calling. Prior to the sale, US 800 numbers were available
by
dialing '0' and asking the (Canadian) operator for the number.
Incidently,
Point Roberts used to get its water from BC too, and Canadian Currency
is
the primary medium of exchange there.

Hyder, Alaska, like Point Roberts is intimately tied to its Canadian
Neighbor, Stewart, BC.  Does anyone know how they get their phone
service?
(I believe the RCMP provides the law enforcement there.)


Dale Crouse    Internet: [e-mail]
voice: [phone]  fax: [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Also, what is the relationship between
Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario where telephone calls are
concerned. I don't think it is strictly within a local zone, but isn't
it handled like a 'suburban' point or for a small extra fee depending
on the type of monthly service you have?   PAT]

------------------------------



         The Journal of Symbolic Computation
  -----------------------------------
  [Editor-in-Chief: Bruno Buchberger]

     Special Issue on Executable Temporal Logics
      Guest Editors: Michael Fisher, Shinji Kono, Mehmet Orgun

   Call For Papers
   ---------------

BACKGROUND: Logical representations have been widely used in Computer
Science and Artificial Intelligence. In recent years, particularly
with the advent of languages such as Prolog, the direct execution of
such representations has been shown to be both feasible and useful.
Logic-based languages have been used, not only for applications such
as the animation of logical specifications, the characterisation of
database queries and knowledge representation, but also as high-level
programming languages in their own right. However, as the problems
tackled have become more complex, the requirement for more powerful
logical representations has been growing. In particular, since the
concept of time is of central importance to an increasingly wide range
of applications, including the representation of time-dependent data
and the specification and verification of concurrent and distributed
systems, many logics incorporating temporal notions are being
developed and applied.

It is not surprising, therefore, that executable temporal logics have
been proposed in order to provide system developers with access to
these, more powerful, logical techniques. Just as the development of
sophisticated, and relatively efficient, theorem-proving techniques
for first-order logic led to executable forms, such as Prolog, so the
development of executable methods for temporal logics has often been
based on temporal theorem-proving techniques. However, each particular
executable temporal logic combines not only a logical perspective, but
also an operational model, drawn from its intended application areas.
Thus a wide range of languages have appeared, exhibiting a variety of
characteristics and execution mechanisms. Consequently, such languages
have a variety of application areas, such as temporal databases,
temporal planning, animation of temporal specifications, hardware
simulation, and distributed AI.

OBJECTIVES: The Journal of Symbolic Computation is planning a special
issue on Executable Temporal Logics, scheduled to appear in 1996.
High quality original research papers are solicited on all aspects
relating to the foundations, implementation techniques and
applications of languages based upon temporal logic. The research
described must not only incorporate an adequate level of technical
detail, but must also provide a clear indication of both the utility
and the applicability of the results.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to,

   * theoretical issues in executable temporal logics
   * design of executable temporal logics
   * relationship between execution and temporal theorem-proving
   * operational models and implementation techniques
   * programming support and environments
   * comparative studies of languages
   * relationship of executable temporal logics to (temporal) databases
   * applications and case studies

Because of the nature of the journal, it is particularly important
that submissions, even purely theoretical ones, indicate the
algorithmic relevance and applicability of the approach.

Papers must be original and must not have been previously published or
simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere. The papers will be
reviewed based on their originality and technical quality, relevance
to the special issue theme, and the extent to which they will advance
the frontiers of knowledge in this area.

In addition to longer papers, we would welcome short papers (5 to 10
pages) describing specific features or novel applications of
executable temporal logic.

Submissions should follow the JSC style guide available from:

 ftp://ftp.risc.uni-linz.ac.at/pub/jsc

LaTeX users are encouraged to use the jsc.sty file.


·



        Michael Fisher
 Department of Computing
 Manchester Metropolitan University
 Manchester M1 5GD
        United Kingdom

 Tel: [phone]
 Fax: [phone]
 Email:  [e-mail]


GUEST EDITORS:

 Michael Fisher
          (details as above)

 Shinji Kono
 Sony Computer Science Laboratory, Inc.
        3-14-13, Higashi-gotanda
 Shinagawa-ku
 Tokyo 141
 Japan
 Email:     [e-mail]

 Mehmet Orgun
 Department of Computing
 Macquarie University
 Sydney  NSW 2109
 Australia
 Email:     [e-mail]

IMPORTANT DATES:

Submissions of full papers due:          October 15th, 1995
Notification of acceptance/rejection:    January 15th, 1996
Revised final manuscripts due:             April 15th, 1996

Queries concerning this special issue are welcome and should be
forwarded to the email addresses above.

Information about the special issue will be available via the WWW page:

      http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/RESEARCH/jsc-extl.html

------------------------------



I'm working on some marketing studies and ran into this quandry:

Does the concept of fiber-loops for high speed trunking of SONET/ATM
(or other physical/transport layer) with interfaces that gang coax
'star' type sub-nets?

Let me expand on this -

   To implement high speed bi-directional networks with:

 -  downstream adhoc video capability (read video on demand etc.)
 -  di-directional digital data streams (computer data, video data for
    conferencing etc)
implemented as a central loop/trunk of fiber to various ditribution
points
where an interface device converts from the fiberoptic trunk to short
haul
coax cables (say 1-200 customers) with the option for dedicated coax's
for
high density customers (eg: businesses wanting T1 type connection).

Specifically the fier-optics could use SONET and ATM for multiple
connections, high bandwidth, and the coax would have a GHz range
carrier piggybacked over the normal cable video bandwidth...

I'm trying to discern the viability, marketing potential and check for
current deployment of this strategy for class.  Both engineering
comments on the feasbility of the idea and economic realities would be
welcomed.


Thanks,

[e-mail]

------------------------------



I am looking for integrated solutions that have E1 or PRI ISDN at one
end, and Ethernet at the other end.  In the between the system should
function as a number of V.34 modems connected to a TCP/IP - Ethernet
terminal server running SLIP or PPP.

We need this kind of solutions for our customer.  The customer runs,
among other things, Internet dial up services with several hundred
dial in modem lines.


Pekka Nikander Email: [e-mail]

------------------------------



Hi,

I have an IBM 340 ThinkPad with an internal 96/24 fax-modem.  I will
be taking this laptop back with me to South India (Hyderabad) later
this year. I would like to use the modem to dial a local BBS and the
fax to send faxes. In the manual it says to use the internal fax/modem
in the US only. What I would like to know is this because of some sort
of regulatory warning -- or is it that these modems just won't work
overseas (specifically I am interested in using it in India). Any
sggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, what type of additional
wirting should I bring to hook up the connection to the phone lines
there?


Sid
Call me anywhere 1-500-Hi-Sid-Hi (Local calls: 546-2307/545-0641)
[e-mail]       [e-mail]
[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Sid, in the future when you want to have
'local calls' go to a different number, you might want to include an
*area code* in your .signature so people can tell what is local and what
is not ...  PAT]

------------------------------



A friend is moving to Dubai soon and plans to establish an Internet
account once there.  Any pointers on providers, prices, access, etc.
would be much appreciated, responding either to the list or to my
mailbox.


Thank you,

Sandy Kyrish  [e-mail]

------------------------------



I'm looking for a succinct way of getting the full picture of current
and pending regulation on cable and telecom operators (read local
phone COs etc) in the eastern PA area, this includes the FCC stuff as
I have no idea what their current restrictions/regulations are ... can
anyone name a good source of current information or some documents that
would get me up to speed?


Thanks,

[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, one of the best (that is, most
comprehensive and least expensive) sources would be the FCC BBS operated
by Bob Keller. Since he is a regular participant here, I imagine he will
write you with details.  There are of course, others sources.   PAT]

------------------------------



I received my Pacific Bell bill today with two bogus $45
charges for repair visits.  No such repair orders were authorized.

According to the back of the bill I must pay the $90 disputed amount
into a California Public Utilities Commission escrow account in
order to challenge it.

Apparently with some sort of binding arbitration the PUC decides who
gets the money and that's it.

The question is: is this kind of binding arbitration required by law
or did I inadvertently agree to it by ordering service?

If I go through with the PUC escrow, will I be preserving all of my
rights under law? Do I have any other options?

It seems as if the burden of proof is upon me to show that the
charge is invalid, while it seems under common law that the entity
asserting the charge must show that it is valid. What if the
disputed amount were $50,000?  Would I still have to post that amount
in order to appeal the bill?  This doesn't seem right.


Grady Ward  [phone] (voice / 24hr FAX)  [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Ignore it. That is, simply deduct it
and don't pay it without proper documentation. Call the telco business
office if you have not done so already to investigate, and if this
gets you nowhere then call the PUC and speak to one of the telephone
specialists there. What's printed on the back side of your bill is
just stock legalese. Don't get too concerned.    PAT]

------------------------------



Just last month we ran into a problem with equipment unable to handle
twenty digit numbers (the UK just added an extra digit and when you add
the four digit carrier selection code plus the four digit international
access code to the twelve digit UK number the equipment could not handle
it). This raises the following questions:

1) What is the maximum length for an international number (country code
 plus area code + local number)?

2) Is there a list of how long each country's numbers are? [This will
 answer the question: Is it just the UK or are we going run into
 the same problem on other calls].


Thanks,

David Wilson Dept CompSci Uni Wollongong Australia [e-mail]

------------------------------

End of TELECOM Digest V15 #219
****************************