rwillis@bbn.com (Robert Willis) (08/31/89)
Patrick, you wrote: [Moderator's Note: I keep my phones unlisted simply because I know all about how the Customer Name and Address Bureau (312-796-9600) operates for area 312; and because I am familiar with cross reference directories. PT] Would you elaborate on this in a forthcoming issue of the Digest? What is the CN&A Bureau, how does it operate? Bob [Moderator's Note: All telcos have Customer Name and Address Bureaus, and they are generally just an internal function at the telco, with little or no public contact. The purpose of CNA is to compile and maintain the records used by Directory Assistance; to make sure the entries in the telephone book are correct, and related matters. They also service inquiries from other telcos needing information regards subscriber names, etc for resolution of billing disputes (customer says, "I never made that long distance call, etc..."). Illinois Bell is the only telephone company I know of -- but there may be others -- which gladly publishes the number of the CNA Bureau, and invites the public to use it, at a special surcharge, of course. Illinois Bell CNA maintains a 'reverse directory lookup service' at 312-796-9600. We within the Illinois Bell LATA pay fifty cents *plus tolls if any* to use this handy service. You dial the number, anytime 24 hours per day, and in due course an operator will answer. You merely state the desired number; no other conversation is required. The operator will punch it in and read back the reply, which will be the name assigned to the phone, and the address where it is located. In the case of non-pubs, the operator's response will be the number is non-published. If there is no such number, the response will be 'no record'. You can have two lookups for one fee, then you must disconnect and dial back again if you wish more. They won't search by address alone; but that service is also available by calling the Cross Reference Directory desk at the Chicago Public Library. There, giving just the address produces the names and phone numbers located there. This service is free, for the price of the phone call. Of course, you can go to the library and read the Criss Cross books yourself if you wish; they have them for the entire northern Illinois/Indiana area; but they are only published annually, and always somewhat out of date. IBT/CNA on the other hand, is accurate to within hours of whatever record maintainence has been done. Trivia: Years ago, every exchange in Chicago reserved the number '2080' for this function. In other words, call EStebrook 9-2080 to get cross reference on subscribers on that exchange, etc. The call terminated on the desk of the Group Chief Operator's secretary, who referred to a rolodex for the desired information. All the Two Oh Eight Oh's, as we called them, were merged into 312-796-9600 about twenty years ago. Enough info for now? PT]