Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id NAA18355; Tue, 28 May 1996 13:11:37 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 13:11:37 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199605281711.NAA18355@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #248 TELECOM Digest Tue, 28 May 96 13:10:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 248 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson LD Carriers and CID -- 5/96 Results (Stanley Cline) India's Biggest Cellular Network is Hiring (Rishab Aiyer Ghosh) Tower Failure Survey (James Cohen) Book Review: "Kidstuff on the Internet" by Armstrong (Rob Slade) Sprint Sends Caller ID Today! (James Bellaire) More Phone Gouging? (Stanley Cline) Nynex Call Manager Services (Keith Knipschild) MCI Cellular? (Michael Schuster) Orange County Area Code Comments (Tad Cook) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: LD Carriers and CID -- 5/96 Results Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 18:13:17 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services For the past several months, I've been periodically testing IXCs' delivery of CID, using 1+, 0+ (calling card), and 800/calling-card calling methods, as well as checking to see if the privacy flag (*67) is recognized. Here are results of testing completed today: LEC (BellSouth, in Chattanooga TN LATA): 1+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "private", even for "toll" calls (not surprising) COCOT coin calls are treated as normal 1+ AFAIK... LEC LD coin calls go through operator and are treated as 0+. 0+ = "Out of Area" AT&T: 1+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" 0+ = "Out of Area" 1-800-Call-ATT (calling card) = "Out of Area" MCI: 1+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" 0+ = "Out of Area" 800# calling card = Not tested 1-800-Collect = Not tested Sprint: 1+ = "Out of Area" (should change 6/1) 0+ = "Out of Area" 800# calling card = Not tested LCI International: 1+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" (no more passing "ANI" as CID...LCI and Wiltel did this before 1/1/96) 0+ = "Out of Area" (calls handled by ZPDI?) Home 800 (1-800-860-1x00) = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" 800# calling card = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" Frontier: 1+ = CID delivered if not blocked. If CID blocked, shows "Out of Area" NOT "private." <-- unusual! 0+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" <-- unusual! 800# calling card = Not tested LDDS WorldCom (Not WilTel): 1+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "Private" 0+ = "Out of Area" (LDDS seems to use several operator services, depending on PIC used.) 800# calling card = Not tested WilTel: 1+ = CID delivered, *67 displays "private" (no more passing "ANI" as CID...) 0+ = "Out of Area" (calls handled by Oncor under Wiltel name) Excel: Not tested, BUT... Excel should behave similar to Frontier, AT&T, or MCI depending on area you are in. (Dial 1-700-555-*4141* to determine underlying FBIXC*.) * FBIXC: Facilities Based IXC The bulk of resellers in this LATA use either Frontier, WilTel, or MCI as underlying carrier; therefore they should behave similar to those carriers. Exceptions include DeltaCom and BTI, who have their own networks in the Southeast. (They don't allow casual PIC dialing. However, DeltaCom may be tested soon ... I may be switching one of my lines to them.) Notes: AT&T and MCI seem to use slightly different SS7 handling than other carriers. With them, ringing/busy seems to occur on the "origin" CO, while with other carriers (Sprint, LCI, etc.) the ring/busy tones are generated by the DESTINATION CO (evidenced by LD carrier "hum" in background and slower call processing.) This had nothing to do with CID, however ... just call "appearances." Most people would never notice. The only carrier that displayed extremely strange behavior is Frontier. They are turning *67 into "Out of Area" ... possibly because of California? Testing was conducted using a originating line in 423-265, and a destination line in 706-861. These are in the same LATA, but were forced through to IXCs by PICing to the specified carrier. (BellSouth for some reason allows this between states/area codes, but not within the same NPA, or if both numbers are in the same CO.) Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! Catoosa Computing Services, Chattanooga, Tenn. mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://chattanooga.net/~scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ------------------------------ Subject: India's Biggest Cellular Network is Hiring Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 08:41:30 PDT From: rishab@dxm.org (Rishab Aiyer Ghosh) Reply-To: rishab@dxm.org Forwarded to the Digest, FYI. Rishab ----------------- The Ad follows ---------------------- Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is Indias largest private sector enterprise in terms of sales, profits, assets, net worth and market capitalisation. In 1995-96, the companys sales turnover was US$2.27 billion and net worth over US$2.45 billion. RIL together with NYNEX, a leading US telecom service provider, has promoted Reliance Telecom Pvt. Ltd. (RTL). RTL has firm licences to provide GSM cellular services in seven "Circles" located in central and eastern India. In addition, RTL has also received from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) a Letter of Intent to build and operate basic telecommunication services in the Circle of Gujarat. RTL is currently in the process of establishing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art digital telecommunications transport, switching and access network for providing mobile (GSM) communication services in Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, North East, Orissa and West Bengal. Together, these Circles cover an area of 1 million sq. km., serving a population of about 319 millions. This makes RTL the largest potential GSM service provider in India in terms of area and population served. RTL also intends to provide a state-of-the-art digital telecommunications transport, switching and access network for landline communications services in Gujarat. In addition RTL expects to invest in other telecom circles as and when appropriate opportunities arise in the secondary market. RTL seeks telecommunications professionals at various levels to join and lead its core team working in association with its international associates in each of the following functions. Positions are available at all levels upto top management including Chief Operating Officers/Vice Presidents/General Managers. Telecom Technologies Transmission (Fibre Optic/Microwave) Signalling GSM Cellular Systems (RF Engineering) Traffic and Facility Management Billing and Operations Systems Telecom Operations Network Planning and Design Network Operations and Management Customer Care and Management Business Development Business Planning, Modelling and Support Corporate Network Planning and Design Market and Competitive Analysis Marketing Strategies Major Account Management Project Management Procurement and Contract Negotiations Network Implementation Human Resource Management Training RTL offers a stimulating business environment, exposure to leading world technologies and excellent growth opportunities. Compensation will be comparable with the best in the industry. Prior experience in your area of expertise in an environment providing you rich exposure and involvement in Best Practices is the most important selection criteria. Please write in confidence clearly specifying your field of specialisation/area of interest to: Sr. Executive Vice President (HRD) Reliance Industries Limited Post Box No. 11717 Nariman Point Mumbai - 400 021 INDIA Fax: +91 22 285 6505 E-mail: sgw@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in ----------------The Ad ends -------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 May 96 14:02:20 GMT From: James Cohen Subject: Tower Failure Survey The Task Committee on Telecommunications Facilities of the Technical Administrative Committee on Special Design Issues within the Structural Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers is conducting a survey of telecommunications tower performance. We would like to distribute this form as widely as possible. The purpose of the committee and survey is given in the introductory text to the survey form, copied below: "INTRODUCTION TO QUESTIONNAIRE AIMS AND GOALS Committee on Telecommunications Facilities Statement of Purpose: To advance knowledge of, encourage research on and evaluate methods of analysis, design, erection and materials utilization for telecommunications and related facilities and their components, both new and existing, to report the results of studies on these topics, and to develop specific criteria or code proposals for their design, analysis, maintenance and construction based on these results. Committee Objectives: To provide a manual of guidance for the design, analysis, maintenance and construction of free-standing and guyed towers, earth satellite stations and their components, whether constructed for the purposes of microwave or long wave transmission/reception, radar facilities, or other uses. Purpose of Questionnaire: To determine any need by owners, users, designers and/or constructors of freestanding and guyed telecommunications towers for improvements in the design and construction methods and criteria through an approximate assessment of functional losses as perceived by the owners and users of these structures. Included in "functional loss" are collapses; loss of signal strength; transmission or reception failure; excessive, difficult or unreasonably costly maintenance; or other unsatisfactory performance of the structures, as perceived by the owner or user. Through this assessment to determine those areas requiring improvement in the design and construction of telecommunications towers, thereby permitting the preparation of written recommendations to enact those improvements." Suggestions with regard to interested organizations and companies as well as methods of distribution is also very appreciated. The survey is only two pages long plus a cover sheet (text given above) and an optional fourth sheet. This information is vital towards understanding the needs for furthering the safety and functionality of freestanding and guyed towers world wide. Thank you very much for your cooperation and reply. If you have any questions, please contact: James Cohen, Chair, Committee on Telecommunications c/o James Cohen Consulting, P.C. P.O. Box 130 Pennington, New Jersey 08534-0130 USA Tel: 609-730-0510, Fax: 609-730-0511, E-mail: JCCPC@MSN.COM. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 10:02:26 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Kidstuff on the Internet" by Armstrong BKKDSINT.RVW 960510 "Kidstuff on the Internet", Sara Armstrong, 1996, 0-7821-1803-8, U$12.99 %A Sara Armstrong, Ph. D. saarmst@telis.org saarmst@cello.gina.calstate.edu %C 2021 Challenger Drive, Alameda, CA 94501 %D 1996 %G 0-7821-1803-8 %I Sybex Computer Books %O U$12.99 510-523-8233 800-227-2346 Fax: 510-523-2373 %P 185 %S A Pocket Tour of %T "Kidstuff on the Internet" This small volume contains a very well chosen selection of top quality sites for kids. The organization leaves a bit to be desired, but each item is described thoroughly and accurately. The very short introduction to the net seems to be aimed more at parents than children, and is unlikely to be excessively helpful to either. The sites, though, and the small size make this an excellent choice for "I wonder what we can find" type of browsing. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKKDSINT.RVW 960510. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. roberts@decus.ca rslade@vcn.bc.ca rslade@vanisl.decus.ca The Internet interprets censorship as damage and routes around it - J. Gilmore Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ From: bellaire@iquest.net (James Bellaire) Subject: Sprint Sends Caller ID Today! Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 18:54:20 EST I just received a call from a relative who has been a long time Sprint Business customer (he has been paying their business rates for at least ten years, so I know he won't switch or 10xxx another service) ... Usually his phone comes up 'OUT OF AREA' on caller id, but now he shows up with a complete phone number and his business name. Looks like Sprint will be showing CID by June 1st after all. James ------------------------------ From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: More Phone Gouging? Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 12:38:14 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services Just to warn everyone: There seem to be even more phone gouging and "scams" going on lately. Here are some examples: 1) SOME non-LEC payphones are STILL charging for ALL calls to *888* numbers. I encountered this today; I dialed an 888 number, and was asked to "Please insert $1." I called the customer service number listed on that phone; a rather rude woman said "We'll look into that." Other phones charge for 888-555 calls, and for some other "toll-free" numbers (950's primarily ... does anyone use them anymore?) 2) Other non-LEC payphones (typically those that charge for 888s!) will block access to the LEC operator for INTRALATA calls. I have seen *numerous* examples of this. In most cases, you can ask the "AOSlime" operator to "forward" you back to the LEC, sounding a loud tone in your ear 8/ ) . HOWEVER, some AOS services are not willing to do this when asked nicely; I had to warn one operator that I WOULD COMPLAIN TO THE FCC on them (the call in question was INTERSTATE but INTRALATA) and they "toned" me off. That phone did NOT complete the call, but returned an unrestricted dial tone (phreakers' opportunity.) Needless to say, I found another phone. This leaves one question: Would a AOSlime or payphone company who refused or failed to complete an emergency call, when 0 went to them and 911 was not available, be liable for "damages" caused by their behavior? ... In most areas PIC codes can be used to go directly to an IXC, or in some areas even to the *LEC* for "LD" intraLATA calls. (For example, there is a PIC listed in the FCC PIC list for the rural Ben Lomand telco in Tennessee, which really does work in their territory.) For LOCAL calls, however, such PIC-bypass does NOT usually work. (It does in the Lomand area, but not BellSouth's. Go figure.) And calls placed via an IXC (whether 800 access, prepaid card, or 0+) typically cost more than those billed via the LEC. 3) US Hell ... er ... Cellular has "begun" charging for 611 customer "dis"service calls for those roaming in their service areas, and for their customers roaming in non-USCC areas. I have roamed heavily, and not one carrier I've dealt with has EVER charged for 611 -- except USCC. In one city, I was charged the $3 daily fee, the per-minute rate, AND INFLATED LD CHARGES TO TULSA, OK (where one of their customer "dis"service offices is, the other is in Knoxville TN) ... all to hold the line forever, and get a rather incompetent customer service rep. On my bill, the call was not listed to "611" but to "Tulsa OK 918-639-xxxx." On another bill, I was charged to "Knoxville TN 615-640-xxxx" when the number in question was not even in NPA 615 -- it's in 423! I called their customer "dis"service line from a landline phone AT THEIR EXPENSE :) (800#), and they said it was their "practice" to charge for 611 calls. HOWEVER ... USCC did NOT charge for 611 before about March 1. Next thing I know, they will charge for dialing *18/*19, "your call cannot be completed" recordings, etc. (I called BellSouth in Nashville about this, and the rep began laughing when I said "US Cellular." She said they were SICK of dealing with them. They have stayed out of NACN until recently, and are still the largest B-side carrier not part of the MobiLink alliance ... no doubt because of all their prior sins toward other carriers, roamers, and probably their own customers.) I am preparing a web site (URL to be announced) dealing with US Cellular's brazen stupidity, arrogance, and greediness ... they have gone too far. Stanley Cline, d/b/a Catoosa Computing Serv., Chatta., TN mailto:scline@usit.net -- http://chattanooga.net/~scline/ CIS 74212,44 -- MSN WSCline1 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 10:22:37 -0400 From: Keith Knipschild Subject: Nynex Call Manager Services NYNEX is adversising a service called " Call Manager "; what is it? They say something about Caller ID with Name, Call Waiting Caller ID,Call Answering, and they say this: "Call Manager lets you have that and more -- Conference in the calling party; send a recorded "HOLD" or "Call Back" Message; or forward a call to NYNEX Call Answering, all by pressing a button." Does Call Waiting Caller ID need a special CID box or will my Northern Telecom 9516 work with it ? Thanks, Keith Keith@asb.com www.asb.com/usr/keith N2NJS@KC2FD.NY.USA.NA Ham Radio AX25 Packet Address Knipper@compuserve.com Knipper@Worldnet.att.net ------------------------------ From: schuster@panix.com (Michael Schuster) Subject: MCI Cellular Date: 27 May 1996 21:25:07 -0400 I just received a soliciation to join MCI's cellular service and receive a Nokia 100 phone for free (golly!!!). Here in NYC, we already have an "A" and "B" system provider. Where does MCI fit into this system? Can there be multiple "A" system providers in the same market? I thought not ... Mike Schuster schuster@panix.com | 70346.1745@CompuServe.COM schuster@shell.portal.com | schuster@mem.po.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There is just one A/B in each area. What MCI is doing is reselling either A or B, depending on whatever was the best deal they could cut for themselves with one of the two. Frontier is also a reseller of cellular; mostly the B side except they resell A in some communities. You can get pretty good deals on prices using the resellers I have found. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Orange County Area Code Comments Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 12:21:50 PDT A chance for citizens to comment on Orange County's new area code: SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 1996--A new area code is coming to Orange County and residents will have a chance to voice their opinions and provide input at a series of public meetings. California Area Code Relief Coordinator Bruce Bennett announced that the meetings are set for June 18, 7 pm, at city council chambers in Mission Viejo, 25909 Pala, June 19, 7 pm, at city council chambers in Fullerton, 303 Commonwealth Blvd. and June 20, 7 pm, at city council chambers in Huntington Beach, 2000 Main Street. At the meetings, officials of several telecommunications companies will detail proposals for the introduction of a second Orange County area code. At this time, the telecommunications companies participa- ting in industry meetings have narrowed the field to three alternatives. At the public meetings, industry officials will detail the three alternatives, including two geographic split plans dividing Orange County into two area codes, and a third proposal which would overlay a new area code on top of the existing 714 region. Under one geographic split proposal, people living in Fullerton Buena Park, Brea, Yorba Linda, La Palma, Placentia, Anaheim and a majority of the people living in the cities of Orange, Garden Grove, Stanton and Cypress would remain in area code 714. People living in San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, El Toro, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and the majority of people living in Santa Ana and Los Alamitos would be in a newly assigned area code. The second geographic split alternative is basically the same, except Huntington Beach, the majority of Westminster and half of Fountain Valley would remain in area code 714. In the overlay option proposed for 714, the new area code would be placed over the existing 714 area code. The two codes would have the same geographic boundaries. The new area code would be given to people requesting a new phone number. Existing 714 customers would keep their area code. If an overlay is chosen, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has determined that 1 + 10-digit dialing will be required. That means callers would have to dial 1, the area code and the seven-digit phone number for all calls within and between the new and old area codes. A second area code is needed because 714 is rapidly running out of phone numbers. More and more people are now using cellular phones, pagers, faxes and modems for connecting to the Internet and to other electronic services. The new area code could be introduced as early as December of 1997. The new area code will not affect the price of telephone calls. The cost of a call will be the same, even if you dial into the new area code. It's also important for customers to know that PBX s, auto-dialers and other telecommunications equipment will have to be reprogrammed to recognize the new area code. The industry expects to have full details of the area code relief proposals and the new area code number available at the public meetings on June 18, 19 and 20. People can call toll free 1/800-455-6914 to hear recorded information about public meeting dates, times and locations. People who wish to comment but cannot attend the public meetings can write to Bruce Bennett, California Area Code Relief Coordinator, 2600 Camino Ramon, Room 1S900V, San Ramon, Ca. 94583. CONTACT: Pacific Bell GTE John Britton Lou Banas 714/284-2140 800/483-8676 TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMED URL: http://www.pacbell.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 500-677-1616 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. 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A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #248 ******************************