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16:31:54 -0400
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To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu


TELECOM Digest     Tue, 17 Oct 95 10:52:00 CDT    Volume 15 : Issue 437

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    NYNEX Goes National With Online Yellow Pages (Barry M. Brooks)
    "B-Side" Systems Added to NACN? (Doug Reuben)
    Update on Telecommunications Act Rewrite (Michigan Consumer 
Federation)
    Middle East Telecom Publications (Sam Bahour)
    Audio Signal Directly Into Phone Line? (tgo@vanbc.wimsey.com)
    Monterey Mobile Computing and Communications Show (Charles P. 
Cummiskey)
    End-User Call Accounting Software (Matthew Dukleth)
    International Fax From Canada? (Dale Robinson)
    Payphones in Australia (Dale Robinson)

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



News Release
Contact:  Phil Santoro  508 762-1326
 
NYNEX goes national with online Yellow Pages.
Connecting businesses and consumers nationwide over the Internet.
 
 MIDDLETON, Mass. (Oct. 17, 1995) -- NYNEX today announced that it has
expanded its online Yellow Pages service so that consumers can now
find virtually any business in the United States.  There is no charge
to consumers for the service.  NYNEX Interactive Yellow Pages (TM),
available on the Internets World Wide Web (http://www.niyp.com), now
offers consumers 16.5 million business listings from throughout the
nation.  The directory includes business type, name, address, and
telephone number.  It is the United States' first and only complete
online national business phone directory.  Since May, NYNEX has
offered its regional business phone listings on the service.

 NYNEX creates advertising on the service for interested businesses.
Advertising units range from brief business profiles for $100 to four
pages of display advertising for about $3,000.  Already, NYNEX has
created ads for some 2,500 businesses.

 In addition, the NYNEX Interactive Yellow Pages currently offers
direct links to the Web sites of businesses and offers any business
the opportunity to hot link their Web site to their listing.

 The NYNEX Interactive Yellow Pages is the most comprehensive
Web-based shopping directory available, said Mat Stover, president and
chief executive officer of NYNEX Information Resources Co.  For the
first time there is a national directory to bring buyers and sellers
together.  The NYNEX Interactive Yellow Pages lets individual shoppers
create their own directory experience -- listing the products and
services they need by category, neighborhood, city, state, or even the
entire nation.

  Other NYNEX Interactive Yellow Pages enhancements announced today 
include
the following:

 --Web site reviews and ratings. When shoppers look up popular
headings, they will find a summary and rating of linked Web sites.
For example, someone looking for a specific brand of car may click on
a nearby button to get performance data on the car manufacturer and
its current models.

 --A section called Your World, where consumers can connect directly
to Web sites that may help them in their daily lives.  Subjects
include, travel, music, movies, children, the 1996 Olympics, and even
seasonal topics like Halloween.

 --A streamlined design and more powerful search tools, which make
navigating the service quicker and easier than ever.

 Users will find the NYNEX Interactive Yellow Pages well-organized and
easy to navigate.  It is organized by familiar A-Z shopping headings
much like traditional Yellow Pages directories and may be searched by
business name, type of business and geography.

 Other special features include a Hot Sites list of new and exciting
Web sites, and a special text capability to provide access for the
visually impaired.

 Businesses and consumers nationwide can learn more about the service
by accessing it on the Internet at http://www.niyp.com or by calling
1-800-356-9639.

 NYNEX Information Resources Co., based in Middleton, Mass., is a
leading provider of printed, online, interactive, and data base
information services.

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



Yesterday, I was driving in Southern New Hampshire near the Vermont 
border. This area is covered by Cell One of Vermont (the "A" carrier, 
SID 
00313) and US Cellular (the "B" carrier, SID 01484).

The "A" carrier uses a Motorola EMX switch, which used to be very nicely
integrated into the "A" side EMX "DMX" network which all of the
southern/central New England carriers shared before Boston converted to
AT&T switches. More recently, after Boston's conversion, networking to 
the
Vermont system has been pretty poor - features do not work, and the call
delivery has been a bit awkward. (Note that this is not a problem of
linking an EMX to an Autople per se, as it is done very nicely between
Metro Mobile's "A" system in CT and BAMS's "B" system in the Mid-
Atlantic
region. It is just that CO/VT and CO/Boston do not seem to know how to 
do
this well. The collapse of ALL feature access in their Concord/Lakes
Region "partnership" service in SID 01485 is an example of this apparent
lack of technical expertise). 

On the other side, the "B" carrier has traditionally lagged far behind
 -- it only got Follow Me Roaming last year, and currently does not
have any sort of B-side automatic call delivery which all of its
neighboring "B" side systems have.

However, yesterday, while driving through on NH-9 through Keene, NH, I 
tried my usual call to set up FMR, but hit *350 (the NACN "A" side 
activation code) instead of *18 (the FMR "B" side code). To my surprise, 
it worked! I then did a series of other tests, such as listening to 
recordings (all have standard NACN messages, but with a THREE letter 
switch code instead of two, in the instant case "MAN-XX" [MANchester? 
It's 
not really near Manchester, though...]).

I then switched my phone to my Cell One/NY (technically AT&T Wireless, 
but 
I'll never use that silly name! :) ) account, and ALL feature codes 
worked, I was able to get calls, unanswered calls were redirected to 
voicemail, etc. In other words, the "B" side was fully active on and 
compliant with all NACN standards and protocols (as far as I could 
tell).

I also tested it with my Metro Mobile account, and Cell One Boston 
account, and both worked fine. Indeed, features which I *should* be able 
to use on the "A" side CO/VT 00313 system which no longer do worked 
perfectly on the "B" 01485 US Cell system. Thus, if you are a CO/Boston 
customer who needs to forward calls to voicemail, you CAN'T do it from 
the "A" side, where you would normally roam, BUT, if you switch to the 
"B" side, you can! (A ridiculous situation, but it is not unique - take 
the example of Metro Mobile 00119 customers in the Comcast/NJ/DE/Philly, 
where all they can do is receive calls, bit if they flip to the "B" side 
and use BAMS, all features AND call delivery work. Even Boston customers 
can use their features by switching to BAMS in these markets, although 
they do not have call delivery on BAMS, and need to switch back to the A 
side in order to receive calls.)

In effect, this allows me to get a very well covered service area.
Since BOTH the "A" and "B" sides will deliver calls to me, and since I
autonomously register on both, I can set my phone to scan for both
systems, and if one side is not available, to use the other. Thus, if
my phone is set on the A side, and I drive into an area which is dead
for CO/VT, the phone will switch to the B carrier (US Cell) and
providing they have coverage, I will still be able to receive my
calls.

The situation with Philly is similar, but since BAMS's B properties are 
not on the NACN, the ability to receive calls on both systems in the 
same 
(Philly, DC, Western PA) market is limited to Metro Mobile customers who 
have a special call delivery system set up with the BAMS B systems. 

In any event, the addition of a "B" side system to the NACN is an 
interesting and welcome milestone. Not only can I receive calls on my 
CO/NY account while in southern VT and NH (the "A" side is NOT on the 
NACN), but I can have my CT and Boston accounts scan both systems and 
create a higher likelihood that I receive an inbound call by allowing me 
to rely on two systems instead of one. This is a BETTER situation than I 
(or anyone else, I think) has in my home system, where you are not 
allowed to roam on the other side (which is understandable) and thus can 
not take advantage of the broader coverage potential of two systems 
instead of just one. 

If anyone else finds other B systems on the NACN and/or knows of similar 
instances of automatic call delivery on BOTH systems in a given market, 
please let me know.


      Doug Reuben  *  dreuben@interpage.net   *  +1 (203) 499 - 5221
Interpage Network Services -- http://www.interpage.net, telnet 
interpage.net
E-Mail Alpha/Numeric Local/Nationwide Paging, LinkAlert, E-Mail <-> Fax 
Svcs 

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



The Senate Technology and Energy Committee will be considering SB.722,
the rewrite of the Michigan Telecommunications Act, at its meeting
Wednesday, October 18th.  It is the committee chair's intent to report
it out of committee that day; it would likely be considered by the
full Senate early the following week.

 There has already been a lot of discussion about the bill.
This bill will increase telephone rates for almost all Michigan
residents over the next four years, especially for outstate residents,
online service users, and families with teenage children.  The key
anti-consumer provisions of the bill are as follows:

 1. It reduces the so-called flat-rate option from the current
400 to 200 calls per month and allows the telephone company to
determine how much to charge for the calls over that limit.

 2. It continues provisions in the current law allowing for
billing for local service based on frequency, distance, and duration
of the calls.

 3. It will force rates up in outstate communities by as much
as 200 to 300 percent.

 4. It allows telephone companies to increase their rates
automatically every year whether they can justify the increases or
not.
 A copy of the bill is available online downloading online at 
<http://www.migov.state.mi.us/mta/mta.html >.

 Ameritech has made it clear that it wants to be able to bill
for local service just like long-distance service: based on frequency,
duration, and distance.  And the bill's sponsor, Sen. Mat Dunaskiss
(who is also the committee chair), has indicated that this is the way
it will be in the future.

 While the bill allows customers to choose which billing option
they prefer, these provisions and those that dramatically reduce the
Michigan Public Service Commission's authority make it much easier for
Ameritech to push customers into metered service.

 Local telephone service costs are less "usage-sensitive" than
ever before.  In fact, some local telephone companies around the
country claim that it costs more to bill for service based on the
number of calls than it does to just provide unlimited flat-rate
service.

 Local telephone service is the on-ramp to the Information
Superhighway.  We are already using online services for education,
shopping, to pay our bills, to arrange vacations, and for many other
purposes.  It is critical that these on-ramps remain affordable for
all residents, no matter where they live in the state.  It is also
critical that we preserve universal service for those who may not want
to use online services.

     It is important for you to immediately contact your state
senators and representatives about this bill and indicate your strong
opposition to any metered billing for local telephone services.  You
should contact legislators by regular mail or telephone.  If you use
E-mail, please also send a letter by mail, since many of them may not
know how to use E-mail yet.  The Legislature is just now making E-mail
available to members and their staffs, and many of them have not had
training yet.

  LEGISLATIVE CONTACT INFORMATION

A list of state senators and representatives by districts is available
at <http://mlink.hh.lib.umich.edu/MI-govt/MI-govt-index.html>.  If you
aren't sure what district you live in, the number should be printed on
your voter registration card.

SENATE
Members of the Senate Technology and Energy Committee are as follows:
    
         COMMITTEE             PHONE     
         Sen. Matt Dunaskiss, Chair     517-373-2417
         Sen. Mike Bouchard        517-373-2523
         Sen. Bill Schuette        517-373-7946
         Sen. Jim Berryman         517-373-3543
         Sen. Dianne Byrum         517-373-1734

Regular mail* can be addressed to all senators as follows:
         Senator (Name)
         P.O. Box 30036
         Lansing, MI   48909
    *Most senators do not have e-mail addresses yet.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House of Representatives has a web site with members' names, 
addresses,
phone numbers, committee assignments; and e-mail addresses (for those 
that 
have e-mail).  Its URL is <http://www.house.state.mi.us/>.

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



Anyone know of the available telecom industry magazines and trade
journals that focus on the Middle East market? A list with phone/email
numbers would be helpful.


Sam Bahour    email 73317.3605@compuserve.com
Applied Information Management        Sam Bahour, President
2986 Roosevelt Drive                  U.S. 216-759-2738
Youngstown, Ohio  44504-1204          Offsore 011-972-2-995-2626
Offsore Office: P.O. Box 3651, El-Bireh, West Bank, via Israel

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



How can I play audio directly into the phone line?  I'd like to
connect an RCA-style input to a phone jack so I can play audio
directly from the stereo/computer output into the phoneline.  What
interfacing electronics is required?

NOTE:  This is not for hacking/phreaking I just want to play computer 
samples
       or music directly into the line during a phone conversation.


Thanks,

ron@tgivan.wimsey.bc.ca

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



The MONTEREY MOBILE COMPUTING AND COMMUNICATIONS SHOW will be held from
5:30PM to 10:00PM on October 26, 1995 in the Barbara McNitt Ballroom of 
the
historic Naval Postgraduate School (formerly the Del Monte Hotel) in
Monterey, California.



              

The highlights of this year's show are Personal Digital Assistants 
(PDAs)
and palmtop computing solutions oriented towards the needs of busy 
mobile
professionals.  Cellular phones, wireless modems, pagers, mobile radios, 
PC
Cards, and mobility-oriented hardware and software products of all types
will be showcased by numerous manufacturers and vendors (to include 
products
by Hewlett Packard, Apple, Psion, Sharp, Casio, Motorola, Educalc, ACE,
etc.).

There is NO COST for attending the show, which includes a series of
presentations on various mobility issues.  Free entertainment, hors
d'oeuvres and a cash bars will all contribute to a lively atmostphere. A
HP200LX and Apple Newton are among the many prizes to be raffled off.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

For more information, please email or call the Show Coordinator, Jim
Cummiskey (jccummis@nps.navy.mil) at (408)655-8222 or (408)672-2974 for 
more
information.

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



Does anyone know of any commercially available end-user call accounting 
software?  For example, you could receive your call records on floppy
and use this software to analyze your long distance bill.  I have been
unable to find much information on this subject.  Thanks!

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



Hi,

I have a friend of a friend (we'll call them A) in Canada trying to
fax my friend (we'll call him B) in Darwin, Australia.

The receiving fax (Person B) is at 9600bps, software is Win Fax Pro 3.

Person B is getting a lot of "Invalid Data" warnings from WinFax Pro.

I suspect that part of the problem is satellite latency, so my
questions are:

When a person from Canada dials a person in Australia, is the link via
satellite?  If yes, can you "force" the call to use landlines?  How?

We in Australia are able to select whether we want to route our call
over satellite, or land/sea line by dialing an appropriate prefix.

0011 - is the normal ISD prefix.
0015 - is what we call International Fax.
 From the telephone book:
"0015 International Fax is a network of specially selected lines which
provide optimum quality for overseas facsimile calls"

What they (Telstra) really mean is that the call will generally be
routed on landlines, depending on line-loading at the start of the
call.

Thanks in advance for help.


Regards, 

Dale

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



Pat,

This is from the Telstra Web page
(http://www.telstra.com.au/prod-ser/payphone/intro.html). 
It's about our payphone system and you may find it of interest:

Telstra Payphone Services
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Doing Business
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Payphone Services currently operates more than 84,000 payphones across
Australia.

Approximately 38,000 public payphones are fully maintained and
operated directly by Payphone Services, from major city centres
(locations are featured in some major city street directories) to the
most remote areas of the country. In fact more than 300 payphones are
solar powered, an innovation to overcome power supply problems faced
in distant regions.

The remaining 46,000 are leased or sold to private businesses, in the
form of Goldphone or Bluephone.

On average more than 95 per cent of payphones are in working order at
any given time through an active maintenance program.

Payphone Service employs around 1000 staff across Australia. The
National General Manager of Telstra Payphone Services is Ms. Janet
Sayer.

Payment made easy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Payphones accept a variety of payment methods including:

Phonecard[TM] - the convenient prepaid card is available in $5, $10,
$20 or $50 denominations, eliminating the need for payphone customers
to carry change. Phonecard[TM] can be purchased at more than 15,000
retail outlets nationally, including most newsagencies, pharmacies and
kiosks and can be used in approximately 28,000 payphones across
Australia.

Coin - the vast majority of public payphones accept 10 cents, 20
cents, 50 cents and $1 coins.

Credit/Eftpos - increasingly popular, particularly for travellers and
business people. Creditphones accept most credit cards and are
predominantly located in major airports, shopping centres and
transport hubs.

Services for the Disabled 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
In 1993, Payphone Services began a concerted campaign to improve
services to people with differing disabilities. A comprehensive
modification program has resulted in more than 1000 payphones modified
with special features to assist people making calls when out and
about. Modifications include lowering the payphone height and
installing longer phone cords to assist access for people in
wheelchairs and with walking frames, as well as for children. Audible
signals have been added to indicate to visually impaired users when a
Phonecard is nearing the end of its value.

Selected payphones have also had hearing aid couplers, special volume
control and handsfree operation added to further assist customers.

In addition, 20 Payphone TTY (tele-typewriter) units have been
installed in major capital cities, specifically for people with speech
and hearing impairment. Following the success of this initial stage, a
further 50 Payphone TTY's have been purchased for installation in
regional centres across Australia in the second half of 1995.

     --- End of Page ---

Regards, 

Dale Robinson

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

End of TELECOM Digest V15 #437
******************************

               
