w1gsl@athena.mit.edu (Steven L. Finberg) (05/10/91)
The same day the official notice of hearings on CPID was published in
the {Boston Globe}, a nice slick pamphlet on Phonesmart(sm) arrived
from NET.
A couple of months ago I had requested information on when any
hearings would be held. They said nothing of the hearings but sent a
promotional piece instead along with an appology for taking so long,
from the External Affairs office.
The two color twelve-page piece extolls the virtues of Phonesmart(sm):
"How to give your phone extraordinary capabilities"
and lists rates:
1. Caller ID $4.95/month requires CPE readout.
2. Call Trace $1.50/mo +$5 " processing fee for two sucessfull
traces to the same telephone number."
3. Repeat Dialing $2.25/month (Deamon Dialer goes for up to 30 min.)
4. Call Return $2.25/month.
3 and 4 together $3.95/month.
A one time sign up fee of $5.70 applies to install as many
services as you sign up for at a time. The sign up fee will be waved
for the first three months after service introduction.
A mail in order form is included or one can call 1 800 922
8383 extension 980 to get "assistance".
They plan to only offer per call blocking, which would be
invoked by dialing *67 (1167 rotary). In small type at the bottom of
the CPID page the explain how this is done and that a display will
show P or Private if Per Call Blocking is activated.
You have to presubscribe to call trace for $1.50 and they
charge $5 if you use it and get a trace back to a given number
twice??? Little type says it works even if Per-Call Blocking is
activated. Dosen't say what happens if the offensive calls come from
a different phone each night! Call Trace is activated by dialling *57
(1157 rotary) immediately after the offensive call.
Repeat Dialing is activated by *66 (1166) after getting a busy.
Call Return *69 (1169 rotary) returns the last call received
whether or not answered. Works regardless of Per-Call Blocking.
Comments:
1. They seem to have a fairly detailed sales flyer out, ready
to go, way before the DPU hearings are held.
2. For those of us concerned about giving out unlisted numbers
Per-Call Blocking is not enough, all we have to do is make a toll call
which is "Call Returned" and the unlisted number apears on the bill at
the end of the month. Not quite as fast but just as released :-(
From the {Boston Globe} of 7 May 1991 P78,
"D.P.U. 91-64......
" The Department will conduct a public hearing... (in) room,1210
Leverett Saltonstall Building, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston MA on
Wednesday, May 29, 1991 at 2:00p.m.
" A procedural conference for parties who have formally intervened
will be held on May 30,1991 at 10:00 a.m. ......"