ralphs@sumax.seattleu.edu (11/04/90)
I've used a variety of LD carriers over the past couple of years, and have noticed significant delays between the end of the dial sequence and the beginning of the ring on networks OTHER than AT&T. I am of the belief that many (if not all) LD carriers use part of (again, if not all) of AT&T's longlines. The recent television ads from AT&T indicate a quicker response through their network (1.7 seconds, or something like that), stating that their calls get connected faster. What is it that takes these 'other' networks longer to get their calls through? Are things being held up on the AT&T end while software figures out what to do? As a purveyor of an LD interconnect system (selling links to, say, GTE, etc.), would it not behoove AT&T to process their calls just as fast? Could the delay be with the local telco figuring out what to do with the call? U.S West (aka Pacific Northwest Bell) handles things locally, and used to share a cozy bed with AT&T.