Patrick_A_Townson@cup.portal.COM (03/31/88)
On March 28, Illinois Bell Telephone Company released its long-awaited list of charges for its new Integrated Services Digital Network service, a system that permits voice, high speed data and video transmissions over standard phone lines. Ameritech, parent company of Illinois Bell and other phone companies said the cost for ISDN service would be roughly 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than the price of a 'comparably equipped' Centrex service, the current business telephone standard, which offers mainly voice transmission. They said the comparison was based on Centrex with the maximum of three calling features, as opposed to ISDN service, with roughly thirty features. Illinois Bell, the first telephone company in the nation to begin ISDN service, made the announcement at the Interface '88 conference at McCormick Place, following by one day its filing of a tariff with the Illinois Commerce Commission discussing pricing for the new system. Illinois Bell said basic ISDN service will begin in the suburban Oak Brook area and downtown Chicago area during the third quarter, 1988. Other area markets will be phased in during 1989-1990. ISDN is generally considered a major breakthrough that will allow all types of computer, office and voice equipment to communicate easily and cheaply. The service will eliminate the miles of wires and cable under office floors that currently keep phones and computers connected. Beginning in the summer and running through the end of 1988, Illinois Bell will offer a six month introductory package for the service to give customers a chance to learn about ISDN in their own offices. The packages will be in combinations of ten lines and thirty lines; they will include voice services only, data services only, and combined voice and data services. Here are some pricing examples: An ISDN line with circuit switched voice capabilities only will cost $146.50 in one time installation charges, and $16.58 per line/month for service. For a fully loaded ISDN line with voice and data capability, the one time charge for installation will be $246.50 and $29.68 per line/month for service. These charges of course do not include ISDN telephone hardware purchases or rentals, nor do they include the costs of internal 'house wiring' to connect a company's wires to the phone network junction box in the building. Questions for readers: Do you think their pricing is fair? Do you think there is (will be soon) a market for ISDN service? If ISDN was available in your community, would [you] subscribe? Why or why not? Thanks for your consideration, and responses.