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) TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * 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: 500-677-1616 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. 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Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 úÿ 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 ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V15 #382 ******************************