
From telecom-request@delta.eecs.nwu.edu  Thu Sep 14 01:51:33 1995
by
1995
01:51:33 -0400
telecomlist-outbound; Wed, 13 Sep 1995 22:19:17 -0500
1995
22:19:14 -0500
To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu


TELECOM Digest     Wed, 13 Sep 95 22:19:00 CDT    Volume 15 : Issue 382

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    AT&T Phone Number Listing (TELECOM Digest Editor)
    New NPA/NXX'S (stuff@gdi.net)
    Tariffs, What is Ahead in Telecommunications (Jeff Gerhardt)
    A Way to Introduce Eight-Digit TNs to the US (Richard Eyre-Eagles)
    Bell Canada Tests "Soft" Dial Tone (Dave Leibold)
    New Bell Canada Stored-Value Phone Cards (Dave Leibold)

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A very common problem expressed by many people when trying to 'reach out
and touch someone' at AT&T who can address a specific problem or assist
with technical help is their inability to *actually get through* to
anyone who knows anything. Time and again, one will get shunted from one
location to another, from one department to another. 

With that in mind, I've compiled a listing of several numbers at AT&T
which you may want to keep as a permanent reference. Any additions or
corrections will be welcome.

All of these are 800 numbers unless noted **, in which case they are 908
numbers.

   ---------                 All are 1-800, then

1A2 Repairs    526-2000
3B2 Messaging Server Help  852-8935

   --- A ---

Access Electronic News   242-6005  
Accessible Comm. Products Center (ACPC) 233-1222
Account Inquiry Center   325-0138   Business LD Accounts
Accumaster Network Managment Help 637-0007
Accunet Switched 56 Service  367-7956
Amcom Software Help   852-8935
Anixter Brothers, Inc.    228-7585

   --- B ---

Business Office (federal accounts) 492-6769
Business Office (non-federal)  247-7000
Business Office (state/local govt)      551-3364

   --- C ---

Call Aquisition/Fault Management Help 422-6622
Call Center Help   344-9670
Calling Card Calls   CALL-ATT  (225-5288)
Capital Corporation    527-9876
Customer Access Newsletter  242-6005
Customer Information Center (CIC) 432-6600
Customer Maintainence Contact Center 242-2121   Arrange large repairs
Customer Service (state/local govt)     551-3364
Customer Service Center (federal)   492-6769
Customer Service Center (non-federal) 247-7000

   --- D ---

Definity System Help   225-7585
Definity System Repairs   628-2888
Definity Users Group (Global)   847-6871
Definity Users Group (National-USA)     334-6489
Definity Users Group Info Hotline 953-7117 **  Area Code 908

   --- E ---

Easy Link Email Service   624-5672

   --- F ---

Fault Management Help   422-6622
Fax Products Repair   628-2888

   --- G ---

GBCS Buyback Program   953-6900 **  Area Code 908
GBCS Customer Assistance Program 953-2600 **  Area Code 908
GBCS Customer Training and Education    255-8988
GBCS Publications Fulfillment Center 457-1235
Gift Certificates   GIFT-ATT  (443-8288)
Global Information Solutions Hardware   262-7782
Global Information Solutions Safari 531-2222
Global Information Solutions Software 543-9935

   -H, I, J, K-
 
Key System Phone Repairs and Help 526-2000

   --- L ---

Language Line Service   752-6096
Leased Equipment Orders/Repairs  555-8111
Long Distance Repair/Cust. Service 222-3000   Residence LD Accounts

   --- M ---

Megacom Inbound Service   222-1000
Megacom Outbound Service  MEGACOM   (634-2266)
Merlin Legend Repairs   628-2888

   --- N ---

National Service Assistance Center 628-2888   Merlin repairs
Network Integration Center (Federal) 492-6769
Network Sales (Federal and FTS-2000) 253-3846
Network Sales (non-Federal)  222-0400
Network Security Department  821-8235
Non-AT&T Equipment Repair (Small)       628-2888
Non-AT&T Equipment Repair (Large) 242-2121

   --- O ---

Older Equipment 'standalone' Repairs 526-2000   1A2, ComKey, Horizon

   --- P ---

Paradyne Product Maintainence Support   237-0016
Partner Repairs    628-2888 
Passageway Telephony Server Help 344-1096
Payphone Repair (Military/Federal) 533-4543
Payphone Repair (Non-Military)  922-0086
Payphone Service Center   352-4003   
Professional Services Help  344-1096

   --- Q ---

QualNet Enhanced Support Program 342-5677

   --- R ---

Residential Purchased Equipment Repair  222-3111
Retail Products Sales Locations  222-3111   To locate store near you
Russo, Patricia  GBCS President         953-8500 **  Area Code 908

   --- S ---

Satellite (Tridom) Service and Sales    346-1174
Single Line Leased Equipment Service 555-8111
Single Line Purchased Equipment Service 222-3111 
Small Business Division Sales Office 247-7000   Sales and leasing
Small Business Service and Repair 526-2000   1A2 Horizon repairs
Software Solutions (Sales & Service)    462-8146
Sold Equipment Repair    222-3111   1-2 line small businesses
Sourcebook Catalog Billing Inquiries 227-3251   8:30-5:30 EST  M-F only
Sourcebook Catalog Fax Orders  458-2389
Sourcebook Catalog Phone Orders  451-2100
Spirit Repairs    628-2888
System 75 Repairs   628-2888
System Management Help   548-8861

   --- T ---

T-1 Private Line Service  325-1230
Technical Service Center  242-2121
Teleconferencing Service  544-6363
Toll Fraud Crisis Intervention  242-2121
Training Solutions   ATT-LEARN (288-5327)
Tridom Sales, Service and Information 346-1174

   --- U ---

Universal Credit Card Corporation 423-4343
User Groups Fax Information Hotline     854-9123

   --- V ---

Video Conferencing Systems Repair 242-2121
Video Training, Services and Help VIDEO-GO  (843-3646)
Voice Messaging Help   56-AUDIX  (562-8349)

  -W, X, Y, Z-

Walker, James  VP Sales and Service     953-7100 **  Area Code 908
World Wide Web Network Connection       www.att.com
Worldworx (tm) Solutions Help  828-WORX  (828-9679)


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



List of new NPA/NXX's added to North American Number Plan September 
1995.

Note: NPA's which have been used in the past but for the first time
appear in a new state are also shown here.

NEW NPA Count: 5
334 FL
423 NC
423 TN
562 CA
954 FL

NEW NPA-NXX Count: 799

201-597 NJ 201-815 NJ 203-609 CT 203-610 CT 203-612 CT 203-614 CT
203-615 CT 203-703 CT 205-864 AL 205-931 AL 206-269 WA 206-301 WA
206-401 WA 206-460 WA 206-470 WA 206-490 WA 206-497 WA 206-509 WA
206-520 WA 206-580 WA 206-590 WA 206-710 WA 206-729 WA 206-731 WA
206-739 WA 206-749 WA 206-806 WA 206-808 WA 206-901 WA 206-904 WA
207-386 ME 207-681 ME 207-826 ME 209-238 CA 209-450 CA 209-494 CA
209-570 CA 209-623 CA 209-789 CA 210-444 TX 210-495 TX 210-550 TX
215-207 PA 215-799 PA 216-206 OH 301-516 MD 301-614 MD 302-326 DE
303-365 CO 304-767 WV 305-603 FL 305-605 FL 305-705 FL 305-706 FL
305-713 FL 305-718 FL 305-740 FL 305-805 FL 309-687 IL 310-663 CA
310-771 CA 310-845 CA 312-674 IL 312-695 IL 313-433 MI 313-716 MI
313-852 MI 314-552 MO 314-719 MO 314-810 MO 315-201 NY 315-202 NY
315-731 NY 316-220 KS 316-220 KS 316-220 KS 316-220 KS 316-220 KS
317-476 IN 318-870 LA 334-385 AL 334-736 AL 334-813 AL 334-833 AL
334-931 FL 334-992 AL 334-994 AL 360-308 WA 360-415 WA 360-546 WA
360-709 WA 360-807 WA 401-478 RI 401-745 RI 401-864 RI 402-445 NE
402-758 NE 402-777 NE 404-232 GA 404-318 GA 404-379 GA 404-575 GA
404-777 GA 404-829 GA 404-937 GA 405-590 OK 407-803 FL 408-278 CA
408-328 CA 408-421 CA 408-430 CA 408-536 CA 408-537 CA 408-558 CA
408-868 CA 408-935 CA 409-630 TX 409-946 TX 410-629 MD 410-729 MD
412-230 PA 412-275 PA 412-278 PA 412-620 PA 412-755 PA 412-851 PA
412-968 PA 413-441 MA 413-575 MA 413-780 MA 415-401 CA 415-612 CA
415-657 CA 415-938 CA 417-890 MO 423-208 TN 423-209 TN 423-213 TN
423-215 TN 423-216 TN 423-217 NC 423-220 TN 423-224 TN 423-229 TN
423-234 TN 423-235 TN 423-236 TN 423-238 TN 423-239 TN 423-241 TN
423-245 TN 423-246 TN 423-247 TN 423-253 TN 423-257 TN 423-261 TN
423-263 TN 423-265 TN 423-266 TN 423-267 TN 423-278 TN 423-279 TN
423-281 TN 423-282 TN 423-283 TN 423-288 TN 423-295 TN 423-301 TN
423-312 TN 423-318 TN 423-323 TN 423-332 TN 423-334 TN 423-336 TN
423-337 TN 423-338 TN 423-339 TN 423-344 TN 423-345 TN 423-348 TN
423-349 TN 423-354 TN 423-357 TN 423-365 TN 423-376 TN 423-378 TN
423-392 TN 423-396 TN 423-410 TN 423-417 TN 423-422 TN 423-426 TN
423-428 TN 423-429 TN 423-430 TN 423-434 TN 423-435 TN 423-436 TN
423-442 TN 423-448 TN 423-450 TN 423-453 TN 423-457 TN 423-458 TN
423-461 TN 423-462 TN 423-463 TN 423-470 TN 423-471 TN 423-472 TN
423-474 TN 423-475 TN 423-476 TN 423-477 TN 423-478 TN 423-479 TN
423-480 TN 423-481 TN 423-482 TN 423-483 TN 423-487 TN 423-490 TN
423-493 TN 423-494 TN 423-495 TN 423-496 TN 423-497 TN 423-499 TN
423-507 TN 423-509 TN 423-510 TN 423-514 TN 423-515 TN 423-517 TN
423-521 TN 423-522 TN 423-523 TN 423-524 TN 423-525 TN 423-531 TN
423-538 TN 423-539 TN 423-541 TN 423-542 TN 423-543 TN 423-544 TN
423-545 TN 423-546 TN 423-547 TN 423-549 TN 423-550 TN 423-555 TN
423-558 TN 423-559 TN 423-562 TN 423-564 TN 423-566 TN 423-568 TN
423-570 TN 423-573 TN 423-574 TN 423-575 TN 423-576 TN 423-577 TN
423-578 TN 423-579 TN 423-581 TN 423-584 TN 423-585 TN 423-586 TN
423-587 TN 423-588 TN 423-590 TN 423-594 TN 423-595 TN 423-602 TN
423-608 TN 423-609 TN 423-613 TN 423-616 TN 423-622 TN 423-623 TN
423-624 TN 423-625 TN 423-626 TN 423-629 TN 423-631 TN 423-632 TN
423-634 TN 423-636 TN 423-637 TN 423-638 TN 423-639 TN 423-640 TN
423-642 TN 423-652 TN 423-656 TN 423-658 TN 423-671 TN 423-673 TN
423-674 TN 423-675 TN 423-679 TN 423-680 TN 423-681 TN 423-687 TN
423-688 TN 423-689 TN 423-690 TN 423-691 TN 423-693 TN 423-694 TN
423-697 TN 423-698 TN 423-705 TN 423-717 TN 423-725 TN 423-727 TN
423-733 TN 423-743 TN 423-744 TN 423-745 TN 423-751 TN 423-752 TN
423-753 TN 423-755 TN 423-756 TN 423-757 TN 423-764 TN 423-767 TN
423-768 TN 423-772 TN 423-775 TN 423-778 TN 423-784 TN 423-785 TN
423-787 TN 423-795 TN 423-810 TN 423-814 TN 423-818 TN 423-819 TN
423-821 TN 423-825 TN 423-828 TN 423-837 TN 423-842 TN 423-843 TN
423-844 TN 423-846 TN 423-854 TN 423-855 TN 423-856 TN 423-867 TN
423-869 TN 423-870 TN 423-873 TN 423-874 TN 423-875 TN 423-877 TN
423-878 TN 423-882 TN 423-884 TN 423-886 TN 423-887 TN 423-892 TN
423-894 TN 423-899 TN 423-909 TN 423-913 TN 423-915 TN 423-917 TN
423-922 TN 423-925 TN 423-926 TN 423-927 TN 423-928 TN 423-929 TN
423-932 TN 423-933 TN 423-938 TN 423-942 TN 423-944 TN 423-945 TN
423-947 TN 423-953 TN 423-954 TN 423-961 TN 423-966 TN 423-968 TN
423-970 TN 423-971 TN 423-974 TN 423-975 TN 423-977 TN 423-981 TN
423-982 TN 423-983 TN 423-984 TN 423-985 TN 423-986 TN 423-988 TN
423-989 TN 423-992 TN 423-993 TN 423-995 TN 423-996 TN 501-206 AR
501-312 AR 501-815 AR 501-910 AR 502-670 KY 502-752 KY 503-512 OR
504-399 LA 504-399 LA 504-399 LA 504-399 LA 504-399 LA 504-680 LA
504-779 LA 504-780 LA 505-323 NM 505-878 NM 508-956 MA 510-335 CA
510-556 CA 512-246 TX 512-435 TX 512-896 TX 513-214 OH 513-670 OH
516-215 NY 516-557 NY 516-973 NY 517-244 MI 517-272 MI 517-273 MI
520-626 AZ 520-882 AZ 520-884 AZ 540-724 VA 540-729 VA 540-851 VA
540-986 VA 562-561 CA 601-421 MS 601-821 MS 601-990 MS 602-463 AZ
602-599 AZ 602-626 AZ 602-662 AZ 602-667 AZ 602-669 AZ 602-679 AZ
602-683 AZ 602-712 AZ 602-793 AZ 602-806 AZ 602-851 AZ 602-857 AZ
602-882 AZ 602-884 AZ 602-923 AZ 606-632 KY 606-794 KY 609-218 NJ
609-317 NJ 609-406 NJ 610-206 PA 612-707 MN 615-815 TN 615-904 TN
615-909 TN 616-391 MI 617-660 MA 617-796 MA 619-615 CA 619-651 CA
619-784 CA 619-819 CA 619-820 CA 702-220 NV 702-233 NV 702-257 NV
702-260 NV 702-380 NV 702-638 NV 702-650 NV 702-740 NV 702-862 NV
702-869 NV 703-233 DC 703-588 VA 703-839 VA 703-851 VA 703-864 VA
703-897 VA 704-213 NC 704-214 NC 704-320 NC 704-660 NC 704-730 NC
704-752 NC 704-797 NC 707-793 CA 708-761 IL 713-767 TX 714-371 CA
714-985 CA 714-986 CA 716-348 NY 716-469 NY 717-972 PA 770-232 GA
770-379 GA 770-735 GA 770-829 GA 770-893 GA 770-937 GA 801-274 UT
801-343 UT 801-493 UT 803-802 SC 803-804 SC 803-812 SC 803-814 SC
803-817 SC 804-773 VA 804-897 VA 805-345 CA 805-587 CA 805-676 CA
805-691 CA 805-742 CA 805-957 CA 808-686 HI 810-608 MI 813-204 FL
813-256 FL 813-307 FL 813-354 FL 813-517 FL 813-548 FL 816-313 MO
816-350 MO 816-512 MO 816-554 MO 818-849 CA 860-610 CT 860-612 CT
901-256 TN 901-288 TN 901-321 TN 903-453 TX 903-591 TX 903-681 TX
904-607 FL 904-704 FL 904-740 FL 908-263 NJ 908-617 NJ 908-620 NJ
909-416 CA 910-779 NC 910-856 NC 912-271 GA 912-379 GA 912-426 GA
913-360 KS 913-397 KS 913-652 KS 913-859 KS 914-568 NY 916-693 CA
916-821 CA 916-935 CA 917-235 NY 917-481 NY 917-672 NY 917-779 NY
917-889 NY 918-740 OK 919-777 NC 941-373 FL 954-207 FL 954-209 FL
954-215 FL 954-231 FL 954-236 FL 954-240 FL 954-244 FL 954-249 FL
954-259 FL 954-269 FL 954-286 FL 954-303 FL 954-307 FL 954-309 FL
954-340 FL 954-341 FL 954-344 FL 954-345 FL 954-346 FL 954-351 FL
954-355 FL 954-356 FL 954-357 FL 954-359 FL 954-360 FL 954-370 FL
954-390 FL 954-396 FL 954-398 FL 954-402 FL 954-403 FL 954-405 FL
954-408 FL 954-409 FL 954-412 FL 954-413 FL 954-415 FL 954-419 FL
954-420 FL 954-421 FL 954-422 FL 954-423 FL 954-424 FL 954-425 FL
954-426 FL 954-427 FL 954-428 FL 954-429 FL 954-430 FL 954-431 FL
954-432 FL 954-433 FL 954-434 FL 954-435 FL 954-436 FL 954-437 FL
954-438 FL 954-450 FL 954-452 FL 954-454 FL 954-455 FL 954-456 FL
954-457 FL 954-458 FL 954-459 FL 954-462 FL 954-463 FL 954-466 FL
954-467 FL 954-468 FL 954-469 FL 954-472 FL 954-473 FL 954-474 FL
954-475 FL 954-476 FL 954-480 FL 954-481 FL 954-484 FL 954-485 FL
954-486 FL 954-489 FL 954-490 FL 954-491 FL 954-492 FL 954-493 FL
954-497 FL 954-503 FL 954-506 FL 954-507 FL 954-508 FL 954-509 FL
954-512 FL 954-513 FL 954-514 FL 954-515 FL 954-516 FL 954-517 FL
954-518 FL 954-519 FL 954-521 FL 954-522 FL 954-523 FL 954-524 FL
954-525 FL 954-527 FL 954-528 FL 954-537 FL 954-546 FL 954-561 FL
954-562 FL 954-563 FL 954-564 FL 954-565 FL 954-566 FL 954-568 FL
954-570 FL 954-574 FL 954-619 FL 954-630 FL 954-631 FL 954-675 FL
954-676 FL 954-677 FL 954-679 FL 954-680 FL 954-690 FL 954-695 FL
954-698 FL 954-705 FL 954-720 FL 954-721 FL 954-722 FL 954-723 FL
954-724 FL 954-725 FL 954-726 FL 954-728 FL 954-730 FL 954-731 FL
954-733 FL 954-735 FL 954-739 FL 954-752 FL 954-753 FL 954-755 FL
954-756 FL 954-760 FL 954-761 FL 954-763 FL 954-764 FL 954-766 FL
954-767 FL 954-771 FL 954-772 FL 954-776 FL 954-777 FL 954-781 FL
954-782 FL 954-783 FL 954-784 FL 954-785 FL 954-786 FL 954-788 FL
954-796 FL 954-801 FL 954-802 FL 954-803 FL 954-804 FL 954-808 FL
954-810 FL 954-830 FL 954-849 FL 954-850 FL 954-875 FL 954-877 FL
954-878 FL 954-879 FL 954-894 FL 954-896 FL 954-897 FL 954-898 FL
954-920 FL 954-921 FL 954-922 FL 954-923 FL 954-924 FL 954-925 FL


                                                                                                        

954-926 FL 954-927 FL 954-928 FL 954-929 FL 954-938 FL 954-941 FL
954-942 FL 954-943 FL 954-946 FL 954-958 FL 954-960 FL 954-961 FL
954-962 FL 954-963 FL 954-964 FL 954-966 FL 954-967 FL 954-980 FL
954-981 FL 954-983 FL 954-985 FL 954-986 FL 954-987 FL 954-989 FL
954-992 FL


Paula

Stuff Software
407-290-2301, stuff@gdi.net

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



I just wanted to start up a thread that I will be posting to over the
next few weeks, as the court battles over gerneral equal access
application play out.  This will be primarily of interest of large
users (with traffic in excess of $2,500.00) who want lower rates, and
the intelligent network services (isdn, T-1, ect) offered by the big
boys.  My company is not related to any long distance provider, so I
am hoping that the material to come will be unbiased.  By the way,
some of you smaller users may have some interest in this as well.
Equal access alllows smaller users to jump on reseller and aggregator
tariff, without putting up with the BS.  Find a good consultant who
knows tariff, and off tariff negotiation; and you will have a good mix
of price and service.


Jeff Gerhardt

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



We have all of these new area codes available with a lot of wide open 
spaces.  Why not try this:

When a area is ready for a "metropolitan split" (like the upcoming
312/774? or the possible split I have heard about for 818).  Instead
of slicing a portion of the area and splitting it up even more, take
the area code and change it to *two* NEW area codes where the first
two numbers are the same (like 953 and 954).  Existing telephone
numbers will be moved into one of the two area codes (for this
example, we will use 953).  If you are dialing within the affected
area code you will dial eight-digits (the last digit of the area code
and the seven digit number).  All new prefixes will go into the new
NPA and calls are still dialed the same.

Let's say my current telephone number is 311-867-5309, during the split, 
my telephone number will be changed to 953-867-5309.  If I was calling 
from within my area code, I would now dial 38-67-53-09.  Outside the 
NPA, 
I woudl dial 1-953-867-5309.  

My number would be displayed on letterhead, etc as (95)3-867-5309.

In the meantime, a whole block of NPAs would be reserved for this area
based on predicted growth.  For this example, NPA's 952 thhrough 959
can be reserved.

Of course, area codes ending with xx0 and xx1 would still be assigned to 
seven digit numbers.

During the permissive dialing period, if only seven digits are dialed, 
the 
switch will hesitate and time out and complete the call.   After the 
permissive period is over, calls will route to either a VCA or an 
informative recording advising of the new dialling instructions. 

Doing this will avoid those corporations that do not want to change 
their 
area code because **EVERYONE CHANGES THEIR AREA CODE!!!!**.  With this 
in 
place, an area can have the equivlent of seven area code splits in one 
area 
and a customer will not have to change their *10* DIGIT number. 

Of course, there where will be more public confusion than a normal
area code split (there are still Van Nuys customers who still think
they are in 213 (and I am not talking about FXS customers)).  But I
think the NP + 8D dialing system will be a long term solution for our
current area code crises.

I think for the electronic switches, there should be no problem with the 
translations, it's the electromechanical switches (they still have some 
of those) in the eight-digit areas that I cam concerned with.  

P.S. Why can't they do this with 800?  Reserve the whole 882-889 block
for toll free services and advertise the numbers as "88" numbers.
Including a possible mandatory change for existing 800 NPA numbers to
one of the 88x NPAs.  Maybe you can give existing customers a choice
for their first digit.  Example, 1-800-FLOWERS can be code
1-88-4-FLOWERS.

Hello Bellcore?  Hello FCC?  Anyone out there?

What do you all feel about this?


Richard Eyre-Eagles, KJ7MU  Tempe, Arizona  

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



[from Bell News, 4 Sept 95 - Bell Canada's version of events ...
the feature described may be in service elsewhere]

McMaster University students first to test our Soft Dial Tone - a new
way to set up phone service

We're holding a field trial for a new way of activating phone service,
and students living in residence at Hamilton's McMaster University are
going to be the first to test its effectiveness.

The two-month field trial of Soft Dial Tone began last Wednesday
(August 30).

That day, rooms in McMaster residences (Bates Residence excluded) were
provided with partially active phone lines.

Students need only to plug in a phone to obtain what sounds like a
normal dial tone.

What they are getting, however, is Soft Dial Tone.

With it, students can call 310-BELL (310-2355) from their residence
room to activate full service within four hours.

If they go to any Bell Phonecentre store, their order will be
processed in the standard way, and they will have phone service within
two days. (By dialing 310-BELL from any other location students will
also be able to initiate regular phone service.)

The benefit of Soft Dial Tone is that it saves students in residence
from making a visit to a Bell Phonecentre store to activate their
service.

A secondary benefit of Soft Dial Tone is that, in the event of an
emergency, students can call 911 emergency service without having
regular phone service during September and October.

Incoming and outgoing calls, however, can't be made with Soft Dial
Tone until full phone service is established.

Within the next year, field trials for Soft Dial Tone on single line
residential services are planned for residential and business
locations in Ontario and Quebec.

Depending on the results of the field trials, Soft Dial Tone could be
the standard approach to setting up phone service in businesses and
residences over the next couple of years.

Phone numbers are pre-assigned to the rooms which is an advantage for
Bell because we can make a positive confirmation that the line is
working. If the student calls 310-Bell from a residence room, the
service representative will automatically know the address of the
residence room.

McMaster University was chosen for the field trial because its
administrators saw the advantages it would offer to students,
including the 911 emergency service feature. The telecommunications
network at McMaster was also suitable for the field trial.


Fidonet : Dave Leibold 1:250/730
Internet: Dave.Leibold@superctl.tor250.org

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



Bell News (4 Sept 95) has details on the introduction of the new Bell
Canada QuickChange payphone cards. Each of the new cards contains an
EEPROM (Erasable Electronic Programmable Read Only Memory) chip that
maintains a credit balance. The current balance of a card can be
displayed and deducted on specially- equipped payphones.

The pre-paid cards begin at a set amount ($10 and $20 value cards
will be available), then the balance stored on the card chips is
reduced as calls are made. Such "smart card" systems are widely used
in many countries, but are only beginning service in North America.

Bell's Millennium payphones are being equipped with a yellow-coloured
card reader. Three-quarters of campus payphones are reportedly
converted, since post-secondary students will be among the first to
have the new cards. A few other payphones around Toronto and Montreal
have also been converted. 15 000 payphones should be converted this
fall to accept the QuickChange cards, with conversions continuing
through early 1997. The card readers will also accept existing telco
calling cards and credit cards (such as Visa and MC).

The passes themselves will begin sales in central Ontario (416 and 905
area codes) beginning January 1996. Availability in other regions will
eventually follow. In Quebec, the French name for the cards is "LaPuce".

Currently, Bell Canada has the traditional calling card technology,
plus the Hello phone pass (a pre-paid card, based on access to an 800
number and an accounting system). The QuickChange card offers local
calls at 25c each, the same rate as coin calls; calling card local
calls cost 75c, while the Hello cards are unsuitable for local calling
at 50c/minute.

Bell Canada is also setting up a card collectors club, given the
burgeoning worldwide interest in telephone card collection. Special
deals, and members- only card issues are planned. According to Bell
News, the club is free and open to anyone. Information is available
at 1 800 404.7823 or fax requests to join to (514) 343.4133.


Fidonet : Dave Leibold 1:250/730
Internet: Dave.Leibold@superctl.tor250.org

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End of TELECOM Digest V15 #382
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