TELECOM Digest     Fri, 7 Oct 94 12:37:00 CDT    Volume 14 : Issue 389
 
Inside This Issue:                          Editor: Patrick A. Townson
 
     GTE Airphone Begins Ground-to-Air Service (For Free!) (Doug 
Reuben)
     FCC Celebrates Communications Act's 60th Birthday (Bob Keller)
     Announcement: New WWW Telecom Info Page (David Moon)
     Book Review: !%@:: A Directory of Electronic Mail Addressing" 
(Rob Slade)
     Splits Pending (Clive D.W. Feather)
     ISDN-BRI Central Office Emulator (comp.newprod via Monty Solomon)
     Rockwell's RIFP Software for Multi-Function Peripherals (Monty 
Solomon)
     Using a Modem in Israel (John Inkman)
     FTP Site for lssgr/iatf? (jwh@panix.com)
     Is There Still a Usenet? (Not as Facetious as it Sounds) (T. M.P. 
Lee)
     Possible to Install Jack Incorrectly? (Dennis Gehris)
     Looking For Dialing Board For PC (Pete Kruckenberg)
     Telecom Regulatory Environment  (Michael Honeth)
 
TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date: 7 Oct 1994 05:07:58 GMT
From: DREUBEN@EAGLE.WESLEYAN.EDU
Subject: GTE Airphone Begins Ground-to-Air Service (For Free!)
 
 
Just got some mail from GTE Airphone.
 
It appears that starting October 15th, callers anywhere who can reach
Airphone's 800 number (1-800-AIRPHONE) can reach you at your seat
while flying aboard Aeromexico, Delta, Mexicana, Reno Air, TWU,
United, and the USAir Shuttle (but not American ! :( ).
 
GTE assigns you a code in the format XXX-XXX-XXXX+YYYY, and it is
printed on a card which GTE mails to you. This card can NOT be used to
pay for calls, it only serves to identify you in their system.  The
XXX ... part is printed on your card, while the YYYY is your four-
digit
PIN, and is not printed on your card. (Basically like a calling card
  -- maybe GTE has future plans for this card, e.g., no need for 
credit
card billing, use on the ground as a regular calling card, etc.)
 
When you sit down at your seat, you either enter the code + PIN
manually into the digital phone unit (it won't work on the older
analog ones, it seems), or you can slide your card in and enter your
four digit PIN afterwards. This tells the system that you want to be
able to receive calls.
 
You will be billed a $2 "registration fee" for this (waived until Jan 
1st,
1995). You will thus need to enter your credit card (slide it through  
the
side of the digital phone) so you can be billed the $2 (apparently 
even during
THIS year when you won't be charged -- the system probably needs the 
"swipe"
to activate even though you aren't currently charged.)
 
Callers dial 1-800-AIR-PHON(E), wait for a voice menu, choose "Call
Customer in Flight", and enter your Aircall code number. You will get 
a
flashing message on your digital phone's screen saying: "Incoming Call
for Seat 12F". When you see this, you can either (A) RE-enter your PIN
number (so someone else can't answer the call while you are away from
your seat) to accept the call, or (B) reject it and have the caller's
number stored. If you don't do anything, after a minute or so, the
caller's number is automatically stored. So if you are away from your
seat when a call comes in, you can see who called you and try to call
him/her back. (I'll bet they will add voicemail soon, too ...)
 
If you chose to answer the call, you first get a chance to see who is
calling you, ie GTE transmit's the ANI from the 800 number to your
seat. You then can answer the call and start paying $2.50 a minute
(plus $2.50 set-up charge, unless you use a pre-paid $15 GTE Airphone
card, where you never pay a set-up charge). However, ALL FEES ARE
WAIVED FROM OCT 15TH TO NOV 3OTH, so you can receive as many calls as
you like totally for free!
 
If you see the call is from someone who you don't want to talk to, you
can chose to reject the call, and pay nothing. According to GTE, you
will NEVER pay for screening the call, ie, seeing the number of your
caller. Thus, you can pay $2 up front to "register" (waived till Jan
1st, 1995), have your friends call you, and return the calls when you
get to the ground; sort of like a (very cumbersome) in-flight paging
system.
 
Overall, sounds interesting, and worth a try when it's free. However,
I don't like the idea of an 800-only number -- what if international
callers wish to reach me? (Maybe they can come in through Airphone's
Illinois number?  No ANI, though ...). I am also wondering if they can
have an option where the caller on the ground pays for the call,
although this opens up a lot of possibilities for fraud -- at least
when YOU pay for it in the plane they have you swipe your actual card
through, which is a lot safer. And what about people who just stroll
onto the plane and DON'T have an Aircall Card number and PIN? Can the
system generate one for them, or are they out of luck and need to
order one and wait for it to come in the mail?
 
I also don't like the idea of paying $2 "up front" just for the
privilege of being registered on their system. It's not much, but this
charge discourages my using it on short flights and/or when I don't
really expect anyone to call me. I'd only use it if I absolutely
needed to have someone call me, such as if I paged someone and had to
have them call me back. If there were no charge, I'd just slide my
card through, and scan inbound calls. I'm sure I'd answer at least
one, so GTE would make money off of me. The $2 charge is like a daily
$3 roam charge -- it discourages me initially from using the service
so GTE makes nothing from me at all, whereas if they were willing to
risk that for the slight incremental cost of registering me for free
they MAY get some of money from my answering an anbound call, ( ie,
GTE would do better in the long run). And from the utter non-use I've
seen of most on GTE Airphone's system (I rarely see people use it that
much these days, probably because it costs too much and service is
usually awful), I'd think they'd WANT to encourage people to receive
calls and try out their new digital service on a permanent basis.
 
Moreover, when I fly, I tell people to call my pager, and I usually
get the pages reliably (I have nationwide coverage and regional east
coast coverage on my two pagers).  So why would I really want to have
to have them go through the burden of calling Airphone's Aircall
system, enter some NEW code number (like the EasyReach 700 nonsense
wasn't enough for them already! :( ), and then wait for me to answer,
when they can just page me a few times and in all likelihood I'll get
back to them? I can't even forward my 700 number or other numbers to
GTE's service (caller's generally won't know what to do and/or what my
code number is), so it's not like most people will even KNOW how to
reach me on Airphone, and will just call my pager(s) instead. With
this in mind, I probably wouldn't use the inbound system unless they
eliminated the $2 charge after Jan 1st, 1995.
 
I'm sure to most travelers this is a petty point, so I won't dwell
upon it any longer. Overall, a welcome enhancement to their system.
I'm anxious to try it!
 
BTW, GTE also noted in their letter that they will soon be introducing
FAX service and that on some United and Air Canada flights callers can
access their Satellite system when they are away from North America.
No mention of costs, but hopefully they will make things nice and
simple and charge the same rate that they currently do when placing
calls over North America.
 
GTE Airphone also has a program where you can give them two credit
cards and two phone numbers and you pay a lower set-up charge ($1.83
or something?)  and the same lower rate per minute for US/Canada
calls. You must use either of the two cards, and call only those two
numbers, though. I signed up and never used it, but I'd be more likely
to use it if I can get on a flight with digital service, as the
current analog (non-Aircall) system is really pathetic -- it always
sounds like there's a bunch of ducks quacking on the other end!
 
 
Doug     dreuben@eagle.wesleyan.edu
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 11:31:26 EDT
From: Bob Keller <rjk@telcomlaw.com>
Subject: FCC Celebrates Communications Act's 60th Birthday
 
 
FCC CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY
 
At a standing room only Commission meeting room October 6, Chairman
Hundt and Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness and Chong cut a huge
chocolate birthday cake to celebrate the FCC's 60th Birthday.
 
As part of the festivities, Commissioner Rachelle Chong read
the following poem:
 
               A Poem to the Communications Act
   By Henry Gibson (actually Jane Mago, Senior Poem Advisor)
 
              How old is the Communications Act?
                    60 years, to be exact.
                It has provisions old and new,
                  2(b), 4(i) to name but two.
                    Now OGC, they love 4(i)
             For it grants discretion on the fly.
              The Act has served these many years
          to fill some dreams and strike some fears.
                 It's been amended quite a lot
              To fix some jiggles and some jots.
               In Title II, it deals with phones
             it strives for service to every home.
                   In Title III, on radios,
             it tells you where your station goes.
                 In Title IV, the Admin. Part
               has many rules to take to heart.
                 From Title V -- on penalties
             we get the power to make you freeze.
               In Title VI, we deal with cable.
            Congress asked us to keep rates stable.
                With Susan, Jim, Andy and Reed
               We fill your every lobbying need.
                No, my job is to read the Act,
               apply the law based on the facts.
                So, I promise I will do my best
                 to serve the public interest.
 
                           - FCC -
 
 
  FCC documents ported from ftp.fcc.gov by:
 
  Robert J. Keller, P.C. (Federal Telecommunications Law)
  <rjk@telcomlaw.com> Tel: 301-229-5208 Fax: 301-229-6875
  4200 Wisconsin Ave NW #106-261 Washington DC 20016-2146
 
 
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Happy birthday to the FCC!   PAT]
 
------------------------------
 
From: moon@gdc.com (David Moon)
Subject: Announcement: New WWW Telecom Info Page
Date: 6 Oct 1994 14:48:17 GMT
Organization: General DataComm, Inc.
 
 
A new WWW page "Telecom Information Resources on the Internet" is now
available. The URL is:
 
http://www.ipps.lsa.umich.edu/telecom-info.html
 
This page is a high-level list of pointers to other resources,
including technical, policy, and economic aspects of telecom.  It also
includes pointers to companies, organizations, and academic sites.
 
This page was compiled by me with much help from subcribers to the
"telecom-reg" mailing list. The page is being hosted by Prof. Jeff
MacKie-Mason (Dept. of Economics and Institute of Public Policy
Studies, University of Michigan), who will be taking over its
maintenance and further evolution.
 
We hope that the page will also be mirrored at the Computer Board of
Singapore -- details are still being worked out.
 
Check it out -- we look forward to your comments and suggestions.
 
 
David Moon                      moon@gdc.com
General Datacomm, Inc.          ATTMail:  !dmoon
Middlebury, CT 06762
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 1994 13:31:09 EST
From: Rob Slade <rslade@cue.bc.ca>
Subject: Book Review: "!%@:: A Directory of Electronic Mail 
Addressing"
 
 
BKDEMAN.RVW   940731
 
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
103 Morris Street, Suite A
Sebastopol, CA   95472
800-998-9938   707-829-0515
fax: 707-829-0104   info@ora.com
"!%@:: A Directory of Electronic Mail Addressing and Networks", 
Frey/Adams,
1-56592-046-5, U$9.95
donnalyn@frey.com
 
Prince-like, this book insists on an unpronounceable title. In the
interests of usable referents, might we dispense with the suggested
"that darned book" and possibly come up with "Bang-Through-At-For"?
 
This book is a reference work.  It details the various computer
networks with mail links or gateways to the "true" Internet.  It is
common to cite such works as "indispensable": in fact, most users, and
even site managers, muddle along quite happily without it.  Quick
reference "electronic" versions exist of very similar documents, which
provide the addressing schemes for the more common network and
commercial service gateways.  Also, once you know one CompuServe
Internet address, you know 'em all.  Frey and Adams have, however, put
together a very complete and interesting reference, and I do suggest
it to anyone managing, or using, extensive email correspondence.
 
The bulk of the book is a set of listings very similar to Part Two of
"The Matrix" (cf BKMATRIX.RVW). The number of listings is 
substantially
greater, while the major emphasis in each listing is the email 
addressing
scheme.  Most of the rest of the book is supporting material, such as
the indices to networks by country, name and notation.  More than two
hundred and fifty pages are devoted to listings of US and 
international
domains for companies, organizations and institutions.  Of the sites
that I personally know, only one was not listed (although one Canadian
company was mysteriously transferred south of the border).
 
Chapter one is an essay devoted to Internet email addressing, and the
various "perversions" of "To:" lines.  Internet aficionados have
probably figured out most of the topics covered but it makes an
excellent introduction for newcomers.
 
As a user of electronic mail, or the manager of a small Internet node
or UUCP site, it would be hard to say that you "need" this book.  If,
however, you are at all interested in the topic of email, you will
find this fascinating and useful.  For those trying to "push the
envelope" of email access, this book will be very useful indeed:
perhaps indispensable is not too strong.  Even those not directly
concerned with the technical management of email will find useful
material here.  The expanded sub-domain listings alone should make
salespeople salivate.  At the new reduced price (which seems to become
something of a standard for O'Reilly re-issues) this has become
something to recommend that all Internet users get as a resource.
 
The book seems to go through corrections or a new edition about once a
year.  I wonder if you can get on a mailing list for it?  Hmmm.  Must
drop a line to gnn.com or ora.com (page 533) ...
 
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993, 1994   BKDEMAN.RVW   940731. 
Distribution
permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated mailing lists/newsgroups.
 
 
Vancouver      p1@arkham.wimsey.bc.ca   | You realize, of
Institute for  Robert_Slade@sfu.ca      | course, that these
Research into  rslade@cue.bc.ca         | new facts do not
User           p1@CyberStore.ca         | coincide with my
Security       Canada V7K 2G6           | preconceived ideas
 
------------------------------
 
Subject: Splits Pending
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 13:23:57 BST
From: Clive D.W. Feather <clive@sco.COM>
 
 
I have the following information on pending NANP area code splits. Can
anyone let me know any further information (I am only interested in
the first day of parallel running):
 
   1995 Jan 15  206 splits into 360
   1995 Mar ??  602 splits into 520
   1995 Apr 02  303 splits into 970
   1995 May 28  813 splits into 941
   1995 Jul 15  703 splits into 540
   1995 Sep 01  615 splits into 423
   1995 Sep 02  213, 310, and 818 are overlaid by 562
   1995 ??? ??  205 splits into 334
   1995 ??? ??  708 splits into 630
   1995 ??? ??  713 splits into 281
 
In addition, are the details of the last split (713/281) known yet ?
 
 
Clive D.W. Feather     | Santa Cruz Operation
clive@sco.com          | Croxley Centre
Phone: +44 1923 813541 | Hatters Lane, Watford
Fax:   +44 1923 813811 | WD1 8YN, United Kingdom

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


From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.COM>
 
 
Forwarded to the Digest FYI:
 
  From: JGFIELDS@delphi.com
  Newsgroups: comp.newprod
  Subject: ISDN-BRI Central Office Emulator
  Date: 3 Oct 1994 13:27:46 -0400
  Organization: UUNET Communications
 
The ISDN 2000A Central Office Emulator offers a convenient and
inexpensive way to simulate the operations of an ISDN Basic Rate
Interface (BRI) Local Exchange Carrier (LEC). The emulator may be used
to develop, test, and demonstrate ISDN-BRI communications devices
without connecting to a PBX or to outside lines.
 
An ECN Product Design award winner, the emulator incorporates the
actual circuits and specifications used for public ISDN interfaces and
switch fabric in a portable, stand-alone package.
 
Features:
 
     o Two Line, End-To-End Operation
     o U and S/T Interfaces
     o Point and Multipoint Configurations
     o B Channel Circuit Mode Voice and Data
     o D Channel Packet Mode Data
     o Multiple Switch Protocols
     o Supplementary Services
     o Primary Power and In-Band Tones
     o Monitor and Trace Functions
 
The emulator provides timing, power, and tones on either the U
interface (2B1Q) or the S/T interface (ASI Bipolar) for up to four
terminating equipment. Physical layer synchronization, status, and
loopback conditions may be monitored on the 4 by 20 inch display.
 
Terminal Endpoint Indentifier (TEI) management and other data link
layer (layer 2) functions are performed in real time and captured in a
wrapping trace buffer for review. Service Access Point Identifiers
(SAPI) 0, 16, and 63 are supported.
 
Call control operation at layer 3 may be selected from one of several
protocols, including National ISDN-1, AT&T 5Exx, and Northern Telecom
DMS-100. Network management functions for Service Profile ID (SPID)
initialization are performed, as well as basic supplementary services,
such as Hold, Drop, Call Appearance Call Handling (CACH), Display
Text, Caller ID, and Additional Call Offering (ACO). Call control
messages may also be stored in a wrapping trace buffer and printed
using the optional built-in printer.
 
Prices (U.S.)
 
     ISDN 2000A Emulator: $2,995.00
     Optional Printer:    $  480.00
     Carrying Case:       $   99.00
 
 
Available: Now
 
MERGE Technologies Group, Inc.
211 Gateway Road West, Suite 201
Napa, CA 94558-6274
800.824.7763
707.252.6687 FAX
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 04:30:33 -0400
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.COM>
Subject: Rockwell's RIFP Software for Multi-Function Peripherals
 
 
Forwarded to the Digest FYI
 
  From: palm@tokyo.rockwell.com (Stephen [kiwin] PALM)
  Newsgroups: comp.newprod
  Subject: Rockwell's RIFP Software for Multi-Function Peripherals
  Date: 3 Oct 1994 13:23:57 -0400
  Organization: Rockwell
 
Rockwell Telecommunications today introduced the Rockwell Integrated
Fax Protocol (RIFP), a new software development tool that allows OEMs
to create multi-function peripheral products (MFPs) by adding
send/receive facsimile functionality to printers or copiers, while
reducing development time and costs.
 
RIFP provides OEMs with sample hardware and a software Application
Program Interface (API).  The API is written in C software, so it can
be ported to a variety of host environments, and provides T.30 and T.4
communications protocols and a Class 1 interface.  The API also
includes modem control code to interface with the Rockwell R96DFXL and
R144EFXL facsimile modems, which satisfy ITU (formerly the CCITT) V.29
(9600 bps) and V.17 (14400 bps) standards.
 
RIFP source code includes advanced features such as Error Correction
Mode and binary file transmission during a fax call.  The software
also provides resolution conversion between common printer resolutions
(up to 600 dots per inch) and facsimile resolutions (200 dots per
inch).
 
For more information or technical documentation, please call (800)
436-9988, fax (818) 365-1876 or email: scott.bibaud@nb.rockwell.com.
 
Inquiries to:
     Digital Communications Division
     4311 Jamboree Rd., M/S 501-300
     Newport Beach, CA  92658-8902
 
Editorial contacts:
   Julie Seymour
     (714) 833-4379
     Internet: julie.seymour@nb.rockwell.com
   Eileen Algaze
     (714) 833-6849
     Internet: eileen.algaze@nb.rockwell.com
 
 
Stephen [kiwin] Palm                        TEL (Voice mail): +81-3-
5371-1564
Rockwell - Digital Communications Division                   COMNET: 
930-1564
Japan Engineering Design Center                          FAX: +81-3-
5371-1507
   palm@tokyo.rockwell.com   s.palm@ieee.org   spalm@cmu.edu   
NIHON::PALM
 
------------------------------
 
From: interaccess!jinkman@uunet.uu.net (John Inkman)
Subject: Using a Modem in Israel
Date: 6 Oct 1994 19:15:09 GMT
Organization: IAC
Reply-To: jinkman@interaccess.com
 
 
I want to send my old 2400b modem to sister in Israel. Will it work?
Do they use same phone line type over there?
 
If replying, please send email to me; I am not yet familiar with 
Usenet.
 
------------------------------
 
From: jwh@panix.com
Subject: FTP Site For lssgr/iatf?
Date: 6 Oct 1994 20:37:46 -0400
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC
 
 
Is there an FTP site for lssgr and/or iatf specs?
 
Please reply by e-mail.
 
 
Thanks.
 
------------------------------
 
From: tmplee@MR.Net (T. M.P. Lee)
Subject: Is There Still a Usenet? (Not as Facetious as it Sounds)
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 1994 09:06:57 -0600
Organization: Minnesota Regional Network
 
 
Seeing as there has been some frequent chatter here recently about the
demise of old familiar ways of doing things, a not quite entirely idle
question came to mind.  Other than as the way the news protocol keeps
track of the provenence of traffic, is there still any significant use
of usenet ("bang") addresses anywhere?  Are there still any 
significant
number of systems that still actually dial each other up and exchange
mail with UUCP?
 
 
Ted Lee                    Consultant in Computer Security
PO Box 1718                tmplee@MR.Net
Minnetonka, MN 55345       612-934-4532
 
------------------------------
 
From: Dennis Gehris <dg@planetx.bloomu.edu>
Subject: Possible to Install Jack Incorrectly?
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 11:21:15 EDT
Organization: Bloomsburg University
 
 
I purchased a Voltage Spike Protector because for my phone line that I
use for my modem on my computer.  (I had experienced voltage surges
that destroyed my modem.)
 
The devise has a test button.  The instructions state that if a red
light appears that the jack's red and green wires are reversed.
 
Is it possible to have these wires reversed and still have all phones
operating properly?  Would this cause surges to occur?
 
Please respond to me at the email address below....
 
 
Thanks!
 
Dennis O. Gehris, Ed.D. INTERNET:  dg@planetx.bloomu.edu
Associate Professor or  dg@neptune.bloomu.edu
College of Business     Bloomsburg University
OFFICE:  717-389-4771   Bloomsburg, PA 17815   FAX:  717-389-3892
 
------------------------------
 
From: pete@dswi.com (Pete Kruckenberg)
Subject: Looking For Dialing Board For PC
Date: 6 Oct 1994 20:57:00 GMT
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept
 
 
Hi. I need to find out if there is a product that will do the
following functions on a PC:
 
   Receive in-coming call and notify PC
   Play some tones (like auto-credit-card-operators)
   Decode touch-tone input and send to PC
   Make touch-tone when instructed to do so by PC
   Do a "Flash"
   Do on/off hook
   Optionally, plan some messages (greeting, errors, etc). These
     may be stored on-board, or played from the PC directly
 
If there isn't one available commercially (either pre-constructed or
in kit form), could you recommend some pieces (integrated circuits,
etc) that could be put together to do this?
 
Basically, this will be used in an in-bound/out-bound dialer that must
work with three-way calling.
 
Thanks for your help.
 
 
Pete Kruckenberg        School: kruckenb@sal.cs.utah.edu
University of Utah      Work  : pete@dswi.com
Computer Engineering    For even more addresses, "finger 
pete@dswi.com"
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 12:48:56 +0500
From: mhoneth@inforamp.net (Michael Honeth)
Subject: Telecom Regulatory Environment
 
 
Help!
 
I am preparing a management briefing on the regulatory environment in
telecomm in Canada.  I would appreciate any discussions anyone could
pass on regarding recent developments across North America.
 
 
Thank you!
 
mhoneth
 
------------------------------
 
End of TELECOM Digest V14 #389
****************************
 

