[comp.dcom.telecom] Last USA Crank-Style Phones to be Replaced

<jnelson@tle.enet.dec.com> (07/12/90)

As reported on this morning's news/information/entertainment program
"Today," the town of North Falls, Idaho is the last remaining location
in the United States that still operates hand-crank telephones.
However, history will soon pass, as they are designated to be replaced
by touch-tone service.  No details were given as to when the cutover
will occur.  According to the program, there are 18 subscribers with
hand-crank phones.  In keeping with their tradition of providing
entertainment, the "Today" show saw fit to made a joke about "no more
crank calls."


Jeff E. Nelson    Digital Equipment Corporation   
Internet:  jnelson@tle.enet.dec.com
Affiliation given for identification purposes only

ritchie@hpdmd48boi.hp.com (David Ritchie) (07/14/90)

>As reported on this morning's news/information/entertainment program
>"Today," the town of North Falls, Idaho is the last remaining location
>in the United States that still operates hand-crank telephones.
>However, history will soon pass, as they are designated to be replaced
>by touch-tone service.  No details were given as to when the cutover
>will occur.  According to the program, there are 18 subscribers with
>hand-crank phones.  In keeping with their tradition of providing
>entertainment, the "Today" show saw fit to made a joke about "no more
>crank calls."

  The {Idaho Statesman} had a story about this today. The cutover
happened today. The magneto system was falling into disrepair and you
could not hear calls completed over it (I suspect this was caused in
part by eavesdroppers placing excessive loading on the common
circuit).

  Is this truely the last magneto system? I thought that about a
posting awhile back about magneto systems in Nevada.


		Dave Ritchie

rjn@hpfcso.hp.com (Bob Niland) (07/15/90)

>>"Today," the town of North Falls, Idaho is the last remaining location
>>in the United States that still operates hand-crank telephones.

> Is this truely the last magneto system? I thought that about a posting 
> awhile back about magneto systems in Nevada.

When I was living in Maine (over a decade ago), the town of Bryant
Pond still had crank, and was fighting to keep it.


Regards,
           
                                                   Hewlett-Packard
Bob Niland    Internet: rjn@hpfcrjn.FC.HP.COM      3404 East Harmony Road
              UUCP: [hplabs|hpfcse]!hpfcrjn!rjn    Ft Collins CO 80525-9599