TELECOM Digest Thu, 7 Apr 94 12:17:00 CDT Volume 14 : Issue 169 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: Alphanumeric Pager Software (Rob Lockhart) Re: Alphanumeric Pager Software (pdcchris@aol.com) Re: Specs For CDPD, Embarc, RAM, Ardis Wanted (Rob Lockhart) Re: Data Over Cellular (Lynne Gregg) Re: Dying Telephones (Charles L. Mclafferty) Re: FAX Mailbox Services (Ed Leslie) Re: PC Pursuit Has Ended (Steven H. Lichter) Re: Voice and Data Through PBX (William M. Davis) Re: April NPA Report (Hugh Pritchard) Re: Bellcore Goes Crypto (Robert Bonomi) Re: 976, 540 Services (Jay Hennigan) Re: 976, 540 Services (Mike King) Re: *999; CB Channel 9 (Jon Anhold) Re: *999; CB Channel 9 (David A. Kaye) Re: *999; CB Channel 9 (Gregory Youngblood) Re: Africa Telecom - Lunchbag Discussion (Bill Hofmann) Re: New LA Area Code (kris%sanctum%paladin@uunet.uu.net) Agents Wanted Outside USA (miked23887@aol.com) EDI Electronic Data Interchange (Joakim Westman) 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 GEnie. Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu * The Digest is compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson Associates of Skokie, Illinois USA. We provide telecom consultation services and long distance resale services including calling cards and 800 numbers. To reach us: Post Office Box 1570, Chicago, IL 60690 or by phone at 708-329-0571 and fax at 708-329-0572. Email: ptownson@townson.com. ** Article submission address only: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu ** Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. TELECOM Digest is gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup comp.dcom.telecom. It has no connection with the unmoderated Usenet newsgroup comp.dcom.telecom.tech whose mailing list "Telecom-Tech Digest" shares archives resources at lcs.mit.edu for the convenience of users. Please *DO NOT* cross post articles between the groups. 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: rlockhart@aol.com (RLockhart) Subject: Re: Alphanumeric Pager Software Date: 07 Apr 1994 12:11:08 -0500 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) In article , nsayer@quack.kfu.com (Nick Sayer) writes: > Does anyone have a description of the protocol used by such > software? Not everyone is saddled with x86 ISA machines running an OS > that was obsolete ten years ago at its introduction, which probably > means we have to write our own software for alpha paging. If it's > possible to write such a program ... The TAP protocol's available through PCIA (the standard setting and maintenance organization) at 202.467.4770. I've also a thread that covers the more commonly used parts of TAP and can POST it if you like. (It's a distilled version of the original spec we gave to Telocator (now PCIA) several years back that formed the basis of TAP.) However, If you don't feel like rolling your own, there're commercial apps for everything from DOS/Win boxes, to Macs, to AS/400s, to Mainframes, to even the little guys like HP100s and Atari Portfolios. We publish a freebie called the Motorola Third Party Referral Guide to Alpha and Data Paging that lists all the apps we know to exist in the marketplace (horizontal and vertical markets and information services) for both sending alpha and data pages to receiving them from such wireless data receiving devices as our NewsStream and NewsCard. The Guide gets updated once a quarter or so and is available in electronic form in Stuffed MacWord 5.1 (not readily convertable to W4W 6.0a). Unfortunately it's not available on the I'net ('cause I'm 'FTP challenged' ), but *is* available on CIS and AOL (04 March 94 edition). (AppleLink has the previous 17 Sep 93 edition.) 'Course the software interface specs for both our NewsStream and NewsCard are also available on those services in the same formats. Rob Lockhart Resource Manager, Interactive Data Systems (Home of the NewsStream, NewsCard, and Two-Way Paging) Paging Products Group Motorola, Inc. Desktop: Lockhart-EPAG06_Rob@Email.Mot.Com Wireless I'net (< 1K characters): Rob.Lockhart@RadioMail.Net Wireless I'net (<32K characters): Rob_Lockhart-ERL003E@Email.Mot.Com ------------------------------ From: pdcchris@aol.com (PDC Chris) Subject: Re: Alphanumeric Paging Software Date: 06 Apr 1994 12:25:01 -0500 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) I think someone here was asking about where to get the protocol specs for talking to alpha paging terminals. Anyway, call PCIA (Personal Communications Industry Association, formerly Telecator) at (202) 467-4770 and ask for info on TAP (Telecator Alphanumerice Paging) and TDP (Telecator Data Paging protocol). TAP is the older one supported by everyone, TDP is very new and is still being implemented. Chris ------------------------------ From: rlockhart@aol.com (RLockhart) Subject: Re: Specs For CDPD, Embarc, RAM, Ardis Wanted Date: 06 Apr 1994 22:16:05 -0500 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) In article , tom.kee@mccaw.com writes: > Ardis is Native Mode for the device; MDC 4800/MG Protocol for the > network ... ARDIS also has pockets of RD/LAP, if memory serves. > EMBARC not quite sure (Motorola in Boynton Beach, Florida). Our EMBARC subsidiary doesn't publish it's protocols, but the main input method *has* been X.400 EMail (although there's a proprietary gateway, an MHS one, and an I'net one). The output format is also proprietary but is close to PCIA's TDP suite of protocols ... at least on the output side (e.g., TRT and TMC). Rob Lockhart, a Paging Motorolan ------------------------------ From: Lynne Gregg Subject: Re: Data Over Cellular Date: Wed, 06 Apr 94 12:57:00 PST Terry Gilson (tgilson@eis.calstate.edu) noted: > I think all of these units can trace their roots (through some kind of > licensing fee) to a company called Telular, which has successfully > defended it's patent on the dial-tone technology against quite a few > companies. In addition to Motorola and NEC, I've successfully used the Spectrum product. Actually, Telular has nothing to do with these interfaces, though a number of companies license the Spectrum technology. NEC and Motorola developed their own data interfaces that are equipment specific (that is they are designed to operate with specific phones within their product lines and in Motorola's case, that interface may be limited on the "device" end). Regards, Lynne ------------------------------ From: Charles L. Mclafferty Subject: Re: Dying Telephones Organization: University of Virginia Date: Thu, 06 Apr 1994 02:15:19 GMT I believe his phones are getting hit by lightning. They had very violent storms in Alabama two weeks ago, and the newer electronic phones can be very sensitive to power surges. Especially the 20Kv kind. I suggest that he may want to see if his NIU is grounded properly, but even that won't help all the time. Charles McLafferty UVa Dept of Ed Studies clm3c@virginia.edu ------------------------------ From: edleslie@apogee.ccs.yorku.ca (Ed Leslie) Subject: Re: FAX Mailbox Services Organization: York University Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 04:48:11 -0500 Lars Nohling (LNohling_+a_BSSI_+lLars_Nohling+r%REMSBSSI@mcimail.com) wrote: > Does anyone have any info on companies that provide a FAXMAIL service? > What I am looking for is a FAX Number I can give out that receives > faxes and then allows me to retrieve them from any fax machine by > dialing up my code. I think Delrina (the WinFAX people) are offering something like this with 1-800 numbers(?). Their phone is 1-800-268-6082. Ed ------------------------------ From: co057@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Steven H. Lichter) Subject: Re: PC Pursuit Has Ended Date: 6 Apr 1994 22:21:31 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA) I have now updated the signature file which is send out direct from Freenet. I just got signed up for Global Access which is like PCP. The best prt is they are moving over to Tymnet which has many more outdials. The cost is more, but I need it to run my system which is a hub. Sysop: Apple Elite II -=- an Ogg-Net Hub BBS (909) 359-5338 12/24/96/14.4 V32/V42bis ------------------------------ From: tyton@crl.com (William M Davis) Subject: Re: Voice and Data Through PBX Date: 06 Apr 1994 11:43:47 -0800 Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [login: guest] Thomas Humphreys (trans-omega@mv.MV.COM) wrote: > I have asked the question "Would you recommend running both voice and > data (LAN) traffic through a PBX?" of 11 individuals. 4 said yes, 7 > said no. Wouldn't this depend on the type of PBX? I mean, we use an AT&T System 75 and if LAN traffic is routed (not switched data calls) through there would be system parameters I would explore along with recommend methods ... Mike Davis Communication Technician CSX Tranportation Atlanta, Ga. tyton@crl.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 94 06:22 EST From: Hugh Pritchard <0006348214@mcimail.com> Subject: Re: April NPA Report de@moscom.com (David Esan) notes, in his wonderful report on the NANP, > -> The NPA that is largest and is not splitting nor has plans, at this > time, to split, is 703. The local (i.e., the Washington, D.C. metro area) media are reporting that Bell Atlantic has indeed decided to split 703 -- northern Virginia. Bell Atlantic says it has decided neither the exact geographical boundaries, nor the NPA code. Hugh Pritchard, Senior Systems Specialist Smoke 'N Mirrors, Inc., Herndon, VA hugh@snm.com ------------------------------ From: bonomi@eecs.nwu.edu (Robert Bonomi) Subject: Re: Bellcore Goes Crypto Organization: EECS Department, Northwestern University Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 01:17:00 GMT In article , Greg Trotter wrote: > In article vantek@aol.com writes: >> Surety Technologies welcomes developers and corporations who are >> interested in testing the system and serving as beta sites for Digital >> Notary software. Call Surety Technologies, Inc. at (201) 993-8178; >> fax number is (201) 993-8748. Information is also available on the >> Internet at infonotary.com. > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > My system can't seem to find this place ... and whois at internic seems > clueless as well. Anybody have any updated information? Simple typo. try mailing to user 'info', at domain-name 'notary.com' -something- ate the "at"('@') symbol from the name. ------------------------------ From: jay@coyote.rain.org (Jay Hennigan) Subject: Re: 976, 540 Services Date: 7 Apr 1994 09:11:42 -0700 Organization: Regional Access Information Network (RAIN) In article johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) writes: > Is there anywhere a list of surcharged prefixes in the U.S.? In most > places 976 is used for non-porn announcements, but the list of other > surcharged prefixes seems to be large, growing, and largely > undocumented. I have the following, which is probably incomplete and out of date. I agree that such exchanges should be documented, as the numbering scheme appears to be random throughout the country. As to who is going to do the documenting, that's a good question. As things stand today, it may not be all that important to block these numbers outside of one's state (or LATA), as there doesn't *appear* to be a method of billing for them, and the IXCs will probably block them anyway. 976 LOOK-ALIKE LIST Location Area Code Local Prefix Maine 207 940 Massachusetts 413 550,940 Massachusetts 508 940 Massachusetts 617 550,940 New Hampshire 603 940 Rhode Island 401 940 New York 212 540,550,970 New York 315 540,550,970 New York 516 540,550,970 New York 518 540,550,970 New York 607 540,550,970 New York 716 540,550,970 New York 718 540,550,970 New York 914 540,550,970 New York 917 540,550,970 Maryland 301 915 Maryland 410 915 Pennsylvania 215 556 Pennsylvania 412 556 Virginia 703 844 Minnesota 507 960 Ohio 216 931 Ohio 513 499 Nebraska 308 960 Nebraska 402 960 Louisiana 504 636 New Mexico 505 960 Texas 214 703 Texas 512 766 Texas 713 766 Texas 817 892 Colorado 303 960 Colorado 719 898 South Dakota 605 960 Utah 801 960 Wyoming 307 960 Arizona 602 676,960 Idaho 208 960 Washington 206 960 District Columbia 202 915 Jay Hennigan jay@rain.org ------------------------------ From: mk@TFS.COM (Mike King) Subject: Re: 976, 540 Services Date: Thu, 6 Apr 1994 09:48:20 PDT In TELECOM Digest, V14 #157, johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) wrote: > Is there anywhere a list of surcharged prefixes in the U.S.? In most > places 976 is used for non-porn announcements, but the list of other > surcharged prefixes seems to be large, growing, and largely > undocumented. In Washington, DC, and the MD and VA suburbs, 976 is a surcharged prefix that defaults to permitted on each telephone line, but blocking can be installed for free by placing a phone call. The prefix 915 is also a surcharged prefix; however, it is blocked by default. To get access, a request must be made to C&P (Bell Atlantic) in writing. Mike King mk@tfs.com ------------------------------ From: jganhold@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Jon Anhold) Subject: Re: *999; CB Channel 9 Date: 7 Apr 1994 01:54:19 GMT Organization: The Ohio State University In article , Prof. Feedlebom wrote: > A few police departments monitor channel 9 across the country, however > even at CB's peak that was not really who was monitoring. The Ohio State Highway Patrol all have CB's in their cruisers. I don't know if they're on channel 9, but I would assume they are either there or on 19. > If you need emergency assistance while travelling, don't depend on your > CB radio. Invest the $200 to buy a GOOD cellular phone, or pass the no-code > Amateur license and use ham radio. You'll be doing yourself a favor. ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ Good plan ... 99.999% of the time there is someone around on 2m to help you .. it's the only reason I have a 146MHz radio in the car.. (440MHz is SO much nicer!) Jon N8USK, Northeastern Ohio ARES/Skywarn Net Control Jon Anhold N8USK (jganhold@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu) [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: 146 mhz is two meters, isn't it? I see a lot of that around here, and there are clubs operating repeaters. PAT] ------------------------------ From: dk@crl.com (David A. Kaye) Subject: Re: *999; CB Channel 9 Date: 7 Apr 1994 01:49:32 -0700 Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [login: guest] Andrew C. Green (ACG@dlogics.com) wrote: > listening. I think it's reasonable to assume that in all the > technology packed into those squad cars, particularly Highway Patrol > cars, they probably have sprung an extra fifty bucks or so for a CB > radio, or included the appropriate wavelengths in the tuners of Squad cars of the Oregon State Police often monitor CB channel 9. In fact I was riding down I-5 when a trucker commented that he hoped there wasn't an OSP car around because he hadn't had time to fake his log book entries. The truck was just behind me. I heard another voice on the channel suggesting the trucker pull over. He said, "Who are you kidding?" The cop then turned on his red lights and said, "I'm not kidding anyone." He pulled over. ------------------------------ From: zeta@tcscs.com (Gregory Youngblood) Subject: Re: *999; CB Channel 9 Date: Thu, 07 Apr 1994 06:57:00 PST Organization: TCS Computer Systems feedle@kaiwan.com (Prof. Feedlebom) writes: > Jonathan (jdl@wam.umd.edu) wrote: >> I am wondering why the police do not routinely monitor CB channel 9, >> since the primary use of this channel is to report emergencies. > A few police departments monitor channel 9 across the country, however > even at CB's peak that was not really who was monitoring. I know in some places the Highway Patrols have monitoring equipment that can listen to Channel 9, but they do not have transmission equipment. Specifically, I _KNOW_ Wisconsin has this from when I was driving through and they had a rest area where they gave away free coffee and other stuff and were talking about how to report suspected drunk drivers in a campaign to get more of them off the highways. I also seem to remember somthing about when CB's were fairly popular and how the truckers and others used them like the police use their radios to track others. In this case, they tracked the cops. There was some talk about entrapment, and if a cop had a CB and could transmit, then the cop could have been giving the all-clear for truckers, and then pulling 'em over right and left. I don't know how factual this little tidbit really is, but it does seem reasonable, and would explain why at least _some_ police/highway patrol/law enforcement vehicles are equipped to _listen_ to the CD (ch. 9 at the least). Greg [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: 'Entrapment' is often confused with the term 'enticement'. One is illegal, the other is not. Generally speaking, if the government breaks the law in an effort to get you to do the same, that is entrapment, and it is illegal. If the government merely makes it more convenient for you to break the law -- without actually doing so themselves -- that is enticement. Sleazy perhaps, but not illegal. It happens all the time both ways, especially where drug enforcement is concerned. It does not surprise me that cops would use CB to encourage people to speed, then arrest them for it. I know they use CB at many truck stops to encourage and solicit prostitutes and/or drug sellers whom they then arrest when approached, but most of those cases get off in court (traffic, prostitution and drug cases) if the judge thinks the cops are lying about the way it happened. PAT] ------------------------------ From: wdh@netcom.com (Bill Hofmann) Subject: Re: Africa Telecom - Lunchbag Discussion Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest) Date: Wed, 06 Apr 1994 17:09:25 GMT Barry Laina Raveendran Greene writes: > "EMERGING COMMUNICATION MARKETS IN AFRICA" > The event will also present some issues to be discussed at the Africa > Telecom'94 Forum (April 25-29 in Cairo). It is open to the public but > space is limited. RSVPs are required (for security passes to the World > Bank) by the 12 April 1994. Phone 202-833-3322 to leave a message. Can you post a summary of the meeting? Bill Hofmann wdh@netcom.COM Fresh Software and Instructional Design +1 510 524 0852 [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: If a summary shows up here I'll be glad to include it in the Digest. PAT] ------------------------------ Subject: Re: New LA Area Code Reply-To: kris%sanctum%paladin@uunet.uu.net From: sanctum!kris@uunet.UU.NET (Kris) Date: Wed, 06 Apr 1994 23:06 EDT James Taranto writes: > 907 is Alaska. New York City alone has 212, 718, and 917, and the > metro area, broadly defined, includes part or all of 516, 914, 201, > 908, 609, 203, and 717. [...] > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yes, thank you, I meant 917 and the > Alaska area code got in there by error. PAT] This reminds me of an AT&T commercial in which they were hyping their Reach Out America plan, where you would spend something like $10 for an hour of calls anywhere in the nation after 6 pm, and then $6 per hour thereafter. They showed different scenery from several cities around the nation, with the city name and NPA in very large type. Well, you guessed it, even AT&T was confused. They used 203 for Los Angeles. We all know that 203 is really the NPA for most of Connecticut. My roommate at the time, who was from CT, was quick to point that out every time the ad came on. Kris kris%sanctum%paladin@uunet.uu.net uunet.uu.net!paladin!sanctum!kris ------------------------------ From: miked23887@aol.com (MikeD23887) Subject: Agents Wanted Outside USA Date: 6 Apr 1994 19:50:01 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) I am looking for agents to market long distance services to consumers and businesses around the world. You can do this in your spare time or full time. This is an easy sell as the rates are far below the local phone companies and you get high quality US dial tone. A five minute call from Germany to the US would cost $7.04 on the local PTT while only $3.84 with my firm, a 45% savings. >From Germany to Japan - 45%, Canada - 37%, Hong Kong - 41% and Australia - 51%. These savings can be achieved from most countries around the world. Our commission structure starts at the highest percentage that I am aware of. These commissions are recurring for all the clients you sign up and can add up to significant $$$. You can market this service even if you have no prior experience in telecommunications. Our company is located in New York City and has been at this for some time now. If interested please e-mail me with your address and country your interested in marketing this service. An agents package describing the service will be sent to you via air mail. Please also note that we plan to cut rates again in the next 30 days as well as introduce new services such as fax on demand, integrated voice response and many new value added services giving our agents the best combination of price and service. Please reply by private e-mail to our Compuserve corporate e-mail address at 73321.2252@compuserve.com. ------------------------------ From: westmanj@scico1.chchp.ac.nz (Joakim Westman) Subject: EDI Electronic Data Interchange Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 07:54:07 GMT Organization: Christchurch Polytechnic (NZ) I'm wondering if somebody knows what the concept of EDI -- Electronic Data Interchange is al about. I've been trying to get information about this, I believe quite new topic at least in NZ, with no luck. Therfore I turn to you as a new news user. Regards, Jo Westman ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V14 #169 ****************************** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------