TELECOM Digest Wed, 1 Jun 94 11:23:00 CDT Volume 14 : Issue 261 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson U.S. Postal Service and the Information Highway (Nigel Allen) Canadian Telcos and Access Awareness Week (Dave Leibold) New Bellcore Documents (Dave Leibold) Firewall FAQ and Products Wanted (Thomas Hinders) S-s-s-stuttering Dial Tone Detection (K.M. Peterson) Out-Going Call Blocking to Local Numbers (thssamj@iitmax.iit.edu) Information Wanted on IVPN (Gerard Carat) CLID Information on Trunks Needed (Tom Ridgeway) Ground-Start Trunk Line Sharing Product? (Rod Regier) Could SLC-96 Cause Low Volume? (Michael D. Corbett) Bellcore Specifications of AIN/1 and Later (David D'Lima) Information Wanted on AMIS (Rob Schmersel) Information Wanted on Cyclone (Gerard Carat) New Kinds of Inmarsat Service (Dave Leibold) Help: Program For Cumulative Normal Function (Wei-Tyng Hong) Software Information Mailing List Being Compiled (Peter Bruce) Remote Access to the 'Net (Lynne Gregg) Re: Announcing New FCC BBS - FCC World (Ted Timar) Bibliography of Telecom Periodicals Wanted (Bruce Roberts) Re: Trans-Atlantic Fiber Operators (US Based) (Kevin McConnaughey) 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. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. 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 edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: 9457-D Niles Center Road Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 708-329-0571 Fax: 708-329-0572 ** 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 partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 17:25:16 -0400 From: ae446@freenet.carleton.ca (Nigel Allen) Subject: U.S. Postal Service and the Information Highway Organization: 52 Manchester Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1V3, Canada Reply-To: ae446@freenet.carleton.ca The following article appeared in the alt.snail-mail newsgroup. It was originally posted by jackson@igs.cviog.uga.edu (Ed Jackson). Usenet Philatelic New Service Release 94-44 May 30, 1994 Runyon Sees Role for the USPS on Information Highway Once a national electronic communications infrastructure is fully defined, Postmaster General and CEO Marvin Runyon sees an opportunity for the Postal Service to help the American public gain access. "The Postal Service is America's first 'information superhighway' with 123 million information channels as close as the mailbox," Runyon said in his annual report to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. "None of us should lose sight of the fact that the residents and businesses of our nation depend on us to communicate and do business." Change is having a dramatic effect on the Postal Service and on the communications industry as a whole. The PMG said the USPS needs to remain competitive in a communications market that continues to evolve. "The mail remains the most pervasive means of communication and commerce available to our nation, but technology and other companies continue to challenge us with new alternatives," he noted. "As far as I am concern, the competition is good. It is pushing us to improve, and to look ahead to the next century and the next generation of communications products our customers will need." As technology evolves and an electronic infrastructure provides greater access for interaction among individuals, business, and government the Postal Service is particularly well placed to participate, he noted. "We can and should make a contribution to this effort," Runyon said. "After more than two centuries of service to the American people, we are a trusted third party for millions of businesses and residents. We have a strong technological base, with expertise in high-speed electronic recognition, message interchange, material handling, and infrastructure maintenance." The National Performance Review team established by President Clinton and overseen by Vice President Al Gore has asked the Postal Service to deliver electronic information available from the federal agencies to the public using interactive kiosks in post office lobbies. "There may be other ways we can contribute," Runyon said. "Perhaps post office lobbies could serve as on-ramps providing access to anyone who wants to be on the electronic highway. "Or, maybe we can help certify electronic messages and safeguard their privacy, securing one company's market-sensitive information from the intruding eyes of its competitors," he said. Runyon told the senators he looks forward to returning to the committee with ideas approved by its Board of Governors. "In the meantime, we will be working to improve the information superhighway that we have, by focusing on listening to and satisfying the needs of our customers, improving our finances, and demonstrating our commitment to employees," he said. "We see a continuing need for a nationwide hard-copy mail system well into the future. The better the job we do, the more value the mail will represent, and the more likely people will continue to use the trusted, reliable, and economical mail." (This article appeared in the may 1994 issue of "memo to mailers," a non-copyrighted monthly publication of the U.S. Postal Service distributed to mail center managers. For more information on UPNS, contact Ed Jackson at .) Nigel Allen ae446@freenet.carleton.ca [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Despite what Runyan may say, the United States Postal Service is in very bad condition. Over the past three months there have been major upheavals in the USPS here in Chicago, as Runyan himself can attest. Several top officials of the post office here have been replaced; several local mail carriers have been discovered stealing mail -- thousands of pieces of mail each -- and local postal operations in some of the branch stations here are in complete dissarray. There is a considerable amount of personal unhappieness among USPS employees over the entire country. What other organization has had three instances of employees turning into mass-murderers on the job and killing several co-workers on the spot, ie, Highland Park, Michigan a few years ago and Enid, Oklahoma a few years ago to name two examples? Although we here in Chicago have not had the violence seen in the two post offices named above, it was necessary for Runyan to come here to visit a month or so ago and try to sort out the several problems with our mail which have been occurring with an alarming frequency over the past few years. He found mail carriers with *tons* of undelivered mail stashed in the base- ment of their homes. One guy had over ten thousand undelivered letters in his home; it was discovered only when his house caught fire and the firemen were sorting through the basement making sure the fire was out. The best thing the USPS could do at this point is gracefully go out of business and turn things over to private companies like Federal Express and Emory. But oh no, instead of that, not only are they not willing to simply admit their defeat and get out of business, they *refuse* to allow any competition! You've probably read in the papers recently about how they are hassling people who are using private courier services. If you use a private courier service to deliver first class mail in the USA on a *non-emergency basis* (they do allow that much latitude), then if the Post Office finds out about it, you can be (a) fined, and (b) forced to pay the amount of money the post office *would have charged* had they been the ones to deliver (or mis-deliver, or not deliver at all) your mail. But try suing the USPS for their malfeasance; for losing your very important documents, or for stealing cash they find in the mail. (Tell me about it! The sorting room employees at 60690 hit me up for thousands of dollars over the years once they learned my box got cash money in the mail) ... *they* are immune, like all other government agencies in these rotten United States; you can't sue them. I say close it down completely and let the private companies take it over. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Dave.Leibold@f730.n250.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Leibold) Date: 31 May 94 01:01:04 -0500 Subject: Canadian Telcos and Access Awareness Week Organization: FidoNet Nameserver/Gateway [from Bell News, 30 May 1994] National Access Awareness Week aims to show "Access is Working" As an official sponsor of National Access Awareness Week (NAAW), the Stentor alliance is kicking off the event today May 30 in Calgary with Prime Minister Jean Chretien assisting in a demonstration of the 711 Relay Service. The service allows hearing people and persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired to communicate through a TTY/TTD - Teletypewriter/ Telecommunications Device for the Deaf. Following Rick Hansen's Man in Motion Tour in 1987, NAAW was established to sensitize Canadians to creating and supporting equal access for persons with disabilities in the areas of transportation, housing, recreation, education and employement. Further east, Bell Canada, for the sixth consecutive year, is showing its commitment to workforce diversity through direct involvement in NAAW. ------------------------------ From: Dave.Leibold@f730.n250.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Leibold) Date: 31 May 94 01:01:16 -0500 Subject: New Bellcore Documents Organization: FidoNet Nameserver/Gateway From Bellcore's list of New Releases: - a new edition of the famous "Notes" book is out: BOC Notes on the LEC Networks - 1994 (SR-TSV-002275 Issue 2, April 1994) ... cost is only USD$395.00 (the same cost as the previous issue, if I recall correctly) ... this is an overview of technologies and topics of the phone network - Telephone Area Code Directory (TACD) Issue 9, January 1994 (TR-EOP-000093) is also available, with list of dialable locations, NPAs (ie. area codes), and a bonus list of Carrier Identification Codes for USA use. Price is USD$49,(I remember the 1991 edition of TACD selling for USD$30) - a National ISDN-3 document, going for USD$70, that describes and defines the latest ISDN standards (SR-NWT-002457, Issue 1, December 1993) ------------------------------ Date: 31 May 1994 10:47:10 EDT From: Hinders, Thomas Subject: Firewall FAQ and Products Wanted I am looking for a FAQ on Internet firewalls and products ... any leads. Please reply directly; I will summerize and repost. Tom Hinders/Soft-Switch +1 610 640 7487 (v/vm) +1 610 640 7511 (f) Internet: thinder@SSW.COM X.400: C=US A=Telemail P=Softswitch S=Hinders G=Thomas ------------------------------ From: kmp@tiac.net (K. M. Peterson) Subject: S-s-s-stuttering Dial Tone Detection Date: 31 May 1994 15:22:35 GMT Organization: KMPeterson/Boston Hi, Stretching my one phone line ever further, I'm considering getting voicemail from our local telco. My problem: I don't want to have to lift the handset to find out if I have messages. Has someone come up with a box to sit on one's line and detect this (and flash a lamp or something)? Thanks for any pointers! K. M. Peterson email: KMP@TIAC.NET phone: +1 617 731 6177 voice +1 617 730 5969 fax ------------------------------ From: thssamj@iitmax.iit.edu (jani) Subject: Out-Going Call Blocking to Local Numbers Organization: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Date: Tue, 31 May 94 15:32:38 GMT Is it possible to block outgoing calls to selected local numbers? Ameritech says they do not have such a service. Only kind of outgoing call blocking they offer is to 1-900 numbers and total blocking to long distance service. They suggested I should check out if there was such a device available from a third party. Is there such a thing? I would prefer if the phone company could do it at their end as it would be more secure. (The device can not be unplugged and disabled.) [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Telco does have classes of service which allow total blocking to local calls; blocking of long distance calls (toll restriction); service which allows direct dial only with the subscriber blocked from reaching the operator; or in reverse, no DDD with all calls going through the operator and denial of third number billing, i.e. collect calls only, but not for selected local calls that I know of. Some of these very specialized classes of service are primarily used in correctional institution settings. The classes of service I know about are: Unrestricted (just regular service, call anywhere, get collect calls, etc); No long distance (1+ is blocked, operator cannot complete on 0+); No local calls (but long distance allowed, 1+ only, or 0+ only or both); No calls to any number on a given exchange (exchange entirely blocked out); 900/976 restrictions (no DDD to these and operator cannot complete calls); Directory assistance blocked (no calls to '411' or '555-1212'); No incoming service (outgoing only, with or without above restrictions); No outgoing service (incoming only, with or without collect, third number); No incoming or outgoing service (intercom only, from within customer premises); No coin calls allowed from 'payphone' (calls must be collect or calling card); No DDD service (calls can only be made to operator who completes or denies); There are customer-maintained toll restrictors which do a pretty good job and are quite secure. You might check into the one offered by Radio Shack or the one from Hello Direct (1-800-HI-HELLO). Both can be programmed for the usual connections along with a dozen or so local numbers; really whatever you want to put in them, but it is against the law to block 911 calls. Both of these have the components in a secure plastic case which screws together and can be secreted in an out-of-the-way place on your premises. A detirmined person could get into them, but they do the job in most cases. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 May 94 15:08:31 GMT From: news@dispatch.demon.co.uk From: Gerard Carat Subject: Information Wanted on IVPN Organization: aiit Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 14:08:29 GMT Can anyone explain how an international VPN works? ------------------------------ From: Tom.Ridgeway@UC.Edu Subject: CLID Information on Trunks Needed Date: 31 May 94 10:27:36 EST Organization: University of Cincinnati Could someone please refresh my memory on Caller ID? We have a large switch with hundreds of outbound local trunks and all calls out show the actual line number of the trunk on caller I.D. displays. This causes lots of confusion for the receiver of calls from our campus - users don't understand about trunk lines and DID numbers. I think I remember someone posting here that they had the local telco set the line ID for all their outbounds to show the lead/billing number. We have requested this from Cincinnati Bell and they don't know how to do this for us, although they agree it would be handy. I do know that our C.O. was recently upgraded to an ESS5 and can tell you that all of our ourbound locals are ground starts. If you have had your lines set to all show a specific number or know how to program this on a "5", please drop me a line with at least the name of your telco so I can let Cinti. Bell who to contact for more specifics. And if I'm dreaming, I'm sure you'll let me know that as well! :-) Tom Ridgeway Ridgewte@UC.edu University of Cincinnati V. 513-558-2580 Telecommunications F. 513-558-0999 ------------------------------ From: Rod Regier Reply-To: RRegier@dymaxion.ns.ca Subject: Ground-start trunk line sharing product? Date: 31 May 94 15:20:11 AST Organization: Dymaxion Research Limited, NS, Canada Background: My organization is currently using a Mitel SX-100 PBX. The incoming TELCO trunk lines are ground-start trunks. I have no "free" locals remaining on the PBX. I do not want to purchase any more line cards to add locals. If I invest in any more PBX equipment, it will be to install a new system, not to upgrade my existing system. I have a two-line "rotary" pool coming from a Telco electro-mechanical exchange as part of the over-all PBX trunk pool. These two lines are used for both incoming and outgoing calls. The two line-pool is used during the day to accept incoming sales calls using our old published number. They are corrently not being used in any significant way at night. Problem: I would like to use the two-line pool at night to add to my dialup modem pool without adding any additional (expensive, $C1000/yr) telco lines. If the two-line pool used normal loop lines, I could use a product like the Cardinal Communications Comshare 550 to support both incoming voice and data calls, as well as outgoing PBX calls. There doesn't seem to be a product or combination of products that will offer the same solution for the ground-start trunks. Can anyone suggest an inexpensive solution to this apparent dilemma without investing money in PBX components? TIA, Rod Regier, Software Development bus: (902)422-1973 x108 Dymaxion Research Ltd., 5515 Cogswell St., fax: (902)421-1267 Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1R2 Canada Internet: rr@dymaxion.ns.ca ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 12:13:31 -0700 From: Michael D. Corbett Subject: Could SLC-96 Cause Low Volume? Greetings, I seem to recall some discussion in this group about SLC-96 and it's associated peculiarities. I can't find anything in the archives on this subject. In a nutshell, is there a situation where one would encounter low volumes using SLC-96 trunks? My understanding of SLC-96 is where the CO doesn't have enough copper, they multipelx 96 Subscriber Loop Circuits on something like three or four pairs. Am I correct? Anyway, the end coustomer is complaining of "low volume" and "chopped" voice mail messages from one of our systems which is fed trunks off of a SLC-96. Any help or pointers would be appreciated. Regards, Mike Corbett Internet: mcorbett@halcyon.com Applied Voice Technology Voice: +1 206 820 6000 P.O. Box 97025 Fax: +1 206 820 4040 Kirkland WA 98083 AVT has never taken me seriously, either should you. ------------------------------ Subject: Bellcore Specifications of AIN/1 and Later Date: Mon, 30 May 1994 08:49:25 IST From: David D'Lima Pat: I wonder whether I can pick up the Bellcore AIN/1 and later specs off an anon-ftp site. If so, can you let me know the hostname? Thanks in advance, David D'Lima dlima@tcsernet.tcs.ernet.in ------------------------------ From: etmrosc@crosby.ericsson.se (Rob Schmersel) Subject: Information Wanted on AMIS Reply-To: etmrosc@crosby.ericsson.se Organization: Ericsson Telecommunication Rijen (ETM) Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 13:19:39 GMT Hello, Anybody ever heard about AMIS (Audio Messaging Interchange Specification) and know where I can find any documentation about this protocol? Thanks in advance, Rob ------------------------------ From: Gerard Carat Subject: Information Wanted on Cyclone Organization: aiit Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 13:49:29 GMT Following the FCC's green light to Newco (the BT-MCI venture), has anyone got ideas on Cyclone's development? ------------------------------ From: Dave.Leibold@f730.n250.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Leibold) Date: 31 May 94 23:37:06 -0500 Subject: New Kinds of Inmarsat Service Organization: FidoNet Nameserver/Gateway [from Infocom (Bell Canada), April 1994] Inmarsat Service - Reduced Rates Effective 1994 04 27, customers will pay less for outbound Inmarsat calls with two new options, Inmarsat B and M. Inmarsat is a mobile service that uses satellite facilities to provide two- way voice and data communications from Canada to remote locations virtually anywhere in the world. Using Inmarsat, a customer can call (direct dial or via an operator) a mobile terminal on an off-shore base, aircraft, ship, or in countries where terrestrial communications cannot always be relied on. Inmarsat B and M are established as alternative mobile systems which also provide calling to Inmarsat Service destinations. Service Description: Inmarsat B: Enables customers to place voice grade digital communications (voice, fax, data) at transmission speeds up to 16 kbps. Per minute rate is $11.95 Inmarsat M: Enables customers to place voice grade digital communications (voice, fax, data) at transmission speeds up to 2.4 kbps. Per minute rate is $10.20. By comparison with Inmarsat A (previously known as Inmarsat Maritime Service), Inmarsat M & B offer improved voice and data transmission quality through digital technology, as well as service charges that are lower by 33% to 43%. With rates as low as $9.20 per minute for Advantage Preferred users, Inmarsat B and M are the most cost effective solutions to communicate with travellers in remote areas as well as operators of marine vessels or oil rigs. In the past, the main users of Inmarsat Service have been shipping, mining and oil companies, as well as government departments. However, with the establishment of Inmarsat B & M, business travellers to remote areas where telecommunications infrastructures are not fully developed can now also take advantage of these new offerings and place Inmarsat calls at less cost. Coupled with the fact that new portable terminals are more compact, reliable and a lot less expensive, Inmarsat Service B & M can be attractive alternative choices in these special situations. For further information, please contact your sales representative. ------------------------------ From: u8213801@cc.nctu.edu.tw (Jeff) Subject: Help: Program For Cumulative Normal Function Date: 1 Jun 1994 08:10:10 GMT Organization: Computer Sci. & Information Eng. Chiao Tung Univ. Taiwan, R.O.C Hello, I need a program to calc. the C(x) (the cumulative normal function). C(x)=prob(X Subject: Software Information Mailing List Being Compiled Would you like to receive information via email about commercially available statistical software? We're compiling a list of people who would like such information, and another list of people who do not want such information. ____ Yes, want info ____ No, do not want info Thanks! Attn: Peter Bruce resample@cais.com Resampling Stats, Inc. ------------------------------ From: Lynne Gregg Subject: Remote Access to the 'Net Date: Tue, 31 May 94 13:01:00 PDT Jarlath Lyons asked for suggestions on accessing Internet from remote locales. I highly recommend the use of a VAN like Compuserve. All your pal needs is a dial tone to reach CIS. It's unlikely that any of the major networks have local access nodes in such far-flung corners, but there's always one accessible by long distance call. Best of luck to your adventurous friend. There's a lot to be said for vegetarianism! Regards, Lynne [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Lynne's last paragraph is of course in response to last week's discourse here on cannibalism and whether or not it is still practiced in the Solomon Islands and/or Boulder, Colorado and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PAT] ------------------------------ From: tmatimar@isgtec.com (Ted Timar) Subject: Re: Announcing New FCC BBS - FCC World Reply-To: tmatimar@isgtec.com Organization: ISG Technologies, Inc Date: Wed, 01 Jun 1994 08:59:22 -0400 In article , avb@cais.com (FCC World) writes about a new BBS, "FCC WORLD" which features info on the FCC, and is free to anyone with a 14.4 baud modem. Two questions: 1) Is there going to be a tax on using this bulletin board? :-) 2) Where do I get a 14.4 baud modem? Who in their right mind would use one? Most modems I know of only go down to 110 baud. Is the FCC going to call for a tax on all modems faster than 14.4 baud? :-) (For those who don't know, one longtime Usenet Urban Legend is that the FCC is about to start taxing modems.) Ted Timar tmatimar@isgtec.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Just to remind our Washington, DC readers about the new availability of this Digest on a local connection, I reprint an excerpt from the original message: > The Washington, DC telecommunications law firm of Smithwick & > Belendiuk proudly announces the launch of a new BBS -- FCC WORLD -- > featuring information on the Federal Communications Commission. We > feature FCC documents on-line (many you cannot find on Internet), > texts of important FCC Reports and decisions (IVDS, PCS Auction info -- > on-line now!), Forums on hot FCC issues, free Classified ads and more! > The best thing -- its free and without a daily time limit. Give it a > try at 202-887-5718 (14.4 baud)! Your favorite telecommunications e-journal (I hope!) is also available as each issue is published in a special file section on the FCC World BBS. Check it out. PAT] ------------------------------ From: bruce.roberts@greatesc.com (Bruce Roberts) Subject: Bibliography of Telecom Periodicals Wanted Date: Wed, 01 Jun 1994 05:35:00 GMT Organization: The Great Escape - Gardena, CA - (310) 676-3534 Hello all. I'm currently subscribing to {Telephony Magazine} and find it fascinating but primarily marketing/business oriented. I'm looking for a periodical that is more technical in nature and covers the same PSTN, Information Infrastructure, ISDN, Sonet, ATM sort of stuff. This is not my line of work so but rather something I find interesting (and something that will affect all of us soon) so it will be an educational experience. Suggestions and subscribing information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Bruce Roberts, bruce.roberts@greatesc.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: {Telephony} is the grandfather of all telecom industry publications. It has been around since sometime in the 1920's. It was the only publication of its kind in an era when there was but one phone company. The two were closely intertwined and there was a point at which subscriptions to the magazine were restricted to persons who were employed somewhere in the Bell System. It used to be much more technically oriented. I've always considered it sort of dry and boring compared to (for example) Harry Newton's {Teleconnect}, a more recent arrival on the scene. PAT] ------------------------------ Subject: Trans-Atlantic Fiber Operators (US based) From: kevin@realtyme.com (Kevin McConnaughey) Date: Wed, 01 Jun 94 09:24:59 EDT Organization: Retrograde Motion BBS - Oakton, VA. stu@shell.portal.com (Stu Jeffery) writes: > I am trying to find out the names of the smaller US based companies > that operate trans-Atlantic fiber cables. The ones I know of are: ATT, > MCI, Sprint, Wiltel and Compuserve. Stu: I assume that you mean companies that *own* capacity in trans-Atlantic fiber cables, not operate. If you do mean operate then the list you have is not correct. AT&T is a cable operator of numerous US cables landing on the US East coast. Sprint is the operator of PTAT-1 with C&W the operator on the UK end. MCI is not a cable operator in the US to my knowledge nor is Wiltel or Compuserve. On the Pacific side, Pacific Telecom operates the North Pacific Cable and all others connecting to CONUS are operated, I believe, by AT&T. I have heard that Wiltel has applied for permission to build and operate a cable to Cuba but this would still be in the planning stages. One might also include in your list BT, C&W, and possibly other PTTs that have operations here in the US and that are cable operators on the Western side of the Atlantic. I am not sure what your purpose is, but I would not want to limit myself to looking at just the US. There are trans-Atlantic cables that terminate in Canada too. These are (I am assuming since I have not actually checked) operated by Teleglobe. I hope this is helpful. kevin@realtyme.com (Kevin McConnaughey) Retrograde Motion BBS - Oakton, Virginia +1-703-758-9084 ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V14 #261 ******************************