pcf@galadriel.british-telecom.co.uk (Pete French) (09/19/89)
>And: >> Whatever apparatus you had was probably built before 1930! > >I seem to recall some date codes on those units that said 1919. I couldn't >believe it at the time (1963), but it may have been true from what you say! As I was sitting reading the aforementined article and having a good laugh at the fact that anyone would use such antique equipment, one of my colleagues happened to look over my shoulder and informed me that B.T. is still actually opearting an exchange built in 1920. This wonderous piece of equipment is "pre-Strowger" - or at least it is not the strowger we all are familiar with , maybe it uses these non-restoring plungers that you talk about. Aparrently it is so slow that it can take up to a minute to return dial-tone ! The offending piece of apparatus is at a place called Illingworth in Yorkshire and is soon to be replaced - not by an exchaange but by a local concentrator. The march of progress.... (Don't blame me of the accuracy of the above information - I only repeat what I am told.) And just a final note - a word on telemarketing. I have never experienced this - yes I said _NEVER_ ! We've had an ex-directory (unlisted) number for the last 8 years or so and I assume that this is the cause, even though it does go on in my town. Just the other day I noticed that on of the services offered by B.T. is Telemarketing! This seems like a good idea to me - if the telemarketing is being done by the phone company then it is surely far easier to tell them to stop calling you - they have, after all, an interest in keeping the customer happy. Thoughts anyone... -Pete French. | "She stares at the screen, British Telecom Research Labs. | At the little words of green, Martlesham Heath, East Anglia. | Tries to remember what to do next." All my own thoughts (of course) | -N.M.A.