Gabe Wiener <gabe@sirius.ctr.columbia.edu> (01/01/90)
Occasionally I'll call some AT&T number or directory assistance line and hear that "beep" sounded by the operator before they get on the line. I used to hear it on all operator calls pre-breakup, but it has pretty much gone by the wayside for 0 and 00 calls. Can anyone tell me its purpose? Moreover, why did they stop using it? Gabe Wiener - Columbia Univ. "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings gabe@ctr.columbia.edu to be seriously considered as a means of gmw1@cunixd.cc.columbia.edu communication. The device is inherently of 72355.1226@compuserve.com no value to us." -Western Union memo, 1877
"Paul S. R. Chisholm" <psrc@pegasus.att.com> (01/05/90)
In article <2514@accuvax.nwu.edu>, gabe@sirius.ctr.columbia.edu (Gabe Wiener) writes: > Occasionally I'll call some AT&T number or directory assistance line > and hear that "beep" sounded by the operator before they get on the > line. I used to hear it on all operator calls pre-breakup, but it has > pretty much gone by the wayside for 0 and 00 calls. > Can anyone tell me its purpose? Moreover, why did they stop using it? I have no idea what it *used* to mean. Nowadays, it's generated any time you go through AT&T; if you don't hear it, you've got some other company. (And some other company's rates. My in-laws called collect from a payphone in Charleston just after the hurricane, to tell us their phones and power were out but they were okay. The five minute call went through an "Alternative Operator Service" company that charged me six dollars!) Paul S. R. Chisholm, AT&T Bell Laboratories att!pegasus!psrc, psrc@pegasus.att.com, AT&T Mail !psrchisholm Disclaimer: I do e-mail software for AT&T, not telephony; I'm not speaking for the company, I'm just speaking my mind.
Steve Forrette <STEVEF%WALKER_RICHER_QUINN@mcimail.com> (01/06/90)
In previous posting, Paul S. R. Chisholm indicates that the operator's beep lets you know that you've got AT&T. Does this mean that it is a registered trademark of AT&T? If not, what is to prevent some AOS cheese from using it? As an aside, I always wondered why AT&T didn't file for trademark status for the calling card "ka-bong". Now that others are using it to trick people, I've noticed AT&T added a voice "AT&T" with a short tune (not tone!) so you know BEFORE you enter your card who you're dealing with. (by the way, I do believe that such things may be registered. My favorite example is the red stripe on the top of some zip-closure bags. It's a registered trademark of a specific manufacturer)
Jim Gottlieb <jimmy@denwa.uucp> (01/08/90)
All operator systems provide an audible warning to the operator that a
new call has arrived. Only the AT&T TSPS lets the caller hear the
beep. I have always liked it, but I'm not even sure it was
intentional.
Most BOCs these days are installing Northern Telecom's TOPS (their
answer to TSPS). TOPS does not let the customer hear the beep. It's
as simple as that.
Jim Gottlieb
E-Mail: <jimmy@denwa.info.com> or <jimmy@pic.ucla.edu> or <attmail!denwa!jimmy>
V-Mail: (213) 551-7702 Fax: 478-3060 The-Real-Me: 824-5454bote@uunet.uu.net> (01/09/90)
Regarding the 'beep' tone which is heard when an operator's position
is connected to a caller: the beep was named the 'high tone',
frequency 480 cps.
Since the original poster noticed its absence, it must have done its
job of announcing the operators presence. :)
John Boteler
NCN NudesLine: 703-241-BARE -- VOICE only, Touch-Tone (TM) accessible
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