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From: deej@IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.telecom
Subject: Re: new services
Message-ID: <8612180323.AA26273@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: Thu, 11-Dec-86 20:17:00 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.8612180323.AA26273
Posted: Thu Dec 11 20:17:00 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Dec-86 06:31:11 EST
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Approved: telecom@xx.lcs.mit.edu


> The services are distinct ring for incoming
> calls from selected phone numbers, incoming call blocking from a specific
> number, customer-initiated trace and block, and digital display of incoming
> call's' number.  Also mentioned are dial-back of last number that called you,
> and redial-until-not-busy (outgoing).  No, this is not a Centrex (sp?), but
> it sure sounds like a humungous version of one!


Something like that.  It's actually digital telephony, and it's possible
today (in fact, being done with most digital Private Branch Exchanges), but
it takes the Bells longer to get these things operational because everything
has to conform to international standards.

The applicable standard here is called ISDN, for Integrated Service Digital
Network.  The basic concept is that it transmits voice digitally and,
instead of transmitting signalling information over the voice channel (like
tones, pulses, switchook flashes, and so on) transmits it in a standard
format on a packet channel running over the same wires.  Once the equipment
which conforms to ISDN standards is available -- both the Central Office
switches and the handsets -- all that stuff above is a piece of pie.  Er,
cake.

And it should be taking place everywhere "real soon now".  Presently, in
fact, Bell of PA is running a pilot ISDN project in Harrisburg, PA.  Should
CMU decide to not purchase a PBX, we're going to try to encourage Bell to
make all that stuff available to us in an Enhanced Centrex service; it'd
then also be available to anyone in this immediate area who is willing to
buy the handset.

this is probably going to end up with two signatures; sorry, I'm new here.

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The opinions contained herein must be mine.  No one else will claim them.

	"If you're not part of the solution,
			you must be part of the problem."