[comp.dcom.telecom] Distinctive Ringing, Another Application Appropos FAX

prahrens@mips.com (12/21/90)

For the sake of completeness, I would add to my remarks of 12-20-90 in
my reply to you that there is a way to obtain distinctive ringing on a
single line (other than "Home Intercom" or "Intercom Plus" where the
line is calling itself - revertive trunking - in order to ring
distinctively another extension; this feature probably goes by other
names in other RBOC's).

This would be a feature known as "Multiple Directory Number" or "Teen
Service", where supplementary directory numbers are assigned to a
master directory number (the original LDN).  This application would be
ideal for FAX, etc.  It is offered in some RBOC's; Bellsouth, I
believe.  One tariff issue would be whether the feature would be
available to business lines as well as residence.

Alas, it is not currently available in Pacific Bell's serving area --
so your correspondents from California do have a point when they
complain about a certain lack of robustness in feature offerings.  I
have often made this very point in discussions formal and informal
with my colleagues.

I wholeheartedly sympathize with and understand their complaints, but
I, to quote Mongo, "am only a pawn in the game of life."


Merry Christmas,

Pete Ahrens