deej@IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU.UUCP (12/12/86)
> 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. <=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=>=<=> Arpa: deej@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Usenet: {ihnp4|ucbvax|cmucspt}!cmu-cs-ius2!deej Bell System: (412) 681-6380 USMail: 5170 Beeler St., #1 Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1002 Carrier Pigeon: The big red brick house with the plate-glass windows out front. 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."
jjd2775@seismo.CSS.GOV@cec2.UUCP (Jay Jeffrey D'Lugin) (12/15/86)
Austin, TX has had these services for at least the past year.
The best feature is callback. If you pick up the phone and dial *66,
it rings the phone that called you last (only if the call was made
within Austin). This is very handy when you come home, the phone's
ringing, and you pick it up just in time to hear the other party hang
up!
Jay D'Lugin (Images-R-Us)
ihnp4!{wucs!wucec2!jjd2775 | wucs!lucy!jay | comus!dlugin}