wts1 <wts1@cbnewsb.cb.att.com> (06/05/91)
Reprinted _with_ permission from the Greensboro (NC) {News & Record},
Sunday, June 2, 1991.
"Caller ID Service OK'd"
RALEIGH - Southern Bell received permission Friday to offer Caller ID,
a service that flashes the telephone number from which an incoming
call has originated, to customers in Raleigh, Charlotte and
Burlington.
But while permitting Caller ID, the state Utilities Commission issued
a number of restrictions meant to protect privacy.
Caller ID allows a subscriber to purchase a special device by which he
or she can see the number of the telephone from which the call is
being made before picking up the receiver.
The commission, in its 12-page order, ruled that Southern Bell must
provide a free blocking service for anyone who does not want his
number flashed into the home or business he is calling. A subscriber
must also have the blocking ability when he uses other telephones, if
he chooses, the commission said.
And every six months, customers must be notified of their right to
obtain free blocking.
Those restrictions are designed to protect a person's right to
privacy, said Jo Anne Sanford, a special deputy attorney general who
handles utility matters.
She said she thought the ruling is the toughest issued in any Caller
ID case in the nation.
Southern Bell representatives, however, said restrictions might keep
the company from following through with plans to offer the service to
its North Carolina customers.
The phone company estimated the monthly price of the service at $7.50
a month for residences, $10 for businesses."
END OF REPRINTED ARTICLE
Pat,
Yesterday I called Southern Bell to see if any plans had been made as
to an availability date, and got a decidedly cool response from the
business office. It appears SB is not very happy with the blocking
restrictions (evidently per line and per call, with twice yearly
notification) and may punt. I want my Caller ID.
William T. Sykes AT&T Federal Systems Advanced Technologies Burlington, NC
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