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From: usenet@ablnc.ATT.COM (J.R. Smithson)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: touchtone dialing always works
Message-ID: <217@ablnc.ATT.COM>
Date: Wed, 24-Dec-86 12:00:15 EST
Article-I.D.: ablnc.217
Posted: Wed Dec 24 12:00:15 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Dec-86 00:39:20 EST
Organization: AT&T, Maitland, Florida
Lines: 26
Keywords: DTMF, 5ESS


You should also be aware of the software programmability of DTMF
access made capable by new Digital Central Offices.
Early versions of the 5ESS software relied on the data base
to allow the hardware to decode DTMF or ignore it.
When one of these central offices were first cut it seems that a 
significant number of telephones in town (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
no longer were able to outdial. (The customers were using DTMF and
not paying for it.)
This prompted a hasty software change to provide 2 options for DTMF:

	1)	Ignore it on lines not paying for the service.
		(The original scheme.)

	2)	Allow it on all lines, but prepare a report of those
		lines using DTMF but  not authorized.
		It is then up to the telco to take appropriate action.
		Such as sending warning letters to encourage customers
		to sign up for DTMF before reverting back to option
		# 1.

It is up to the telco to decide which option is in force upon cutover,
but most opt for #2.

	Jim Smithson ihnp4!ablnc!jrs2 (305)660-6991
	Ex-5ESS System Integrity Flunkie for Bell Labs