wah@zach.fit.edu (Bill Huttig) (12/19/90)
I have been having problems with my local phone service for six months now. Everytime I report it, it seems to get worse. The problem is that on outgoing calls (local, long distance, 800, etc) there is a two to five second period (no more than once per call) where I hear nothing (or a pop/click) and the person I am speaking with hears someone dialing (rotary phone). The phone company said it is my phone or answering machine (both Panasonic two-line units; the phone is cordless). I talked to a Maintanence Center Suprvisor today and she read back the reports that I phoned in since June (four of them) and they were all inaccurately written. I still think the problem is in Southern Bell's equipment ... one of the repair guys said that they have fiber from down the street to the main office ... they have (I think) a SLC-96 for the fiber. How can I get this problem fixed? Bill [Moderator's Note: First, isolate your answering machine and cordless phone from the network. Take them both off line and try making a few calls. If you do not have the disturbance, then chances are either your answering machine or cordless phone are at fault. Cordless phones tend to go off hook and talk to themselves and dial numbers randomly when someone with a strong CB or ham radio is nearby. If you still have the problem with those devices off line, then try isolating it by removing all phone instruments except one. By a process of elimination if you still get the disturbance and nothing else is on line call the telco and tell them you have tested at the demarc and it must be their problem, not yours since all other equipment has been removed. Let us know what happens. PAT]