lipman@decwrl.UUCP (02/27/84)
From: castor::covert (John Covert)
From time to time European friends ask why the U.S. doesn't comply with
all applicable CCITT recommendations. One reason is that we usually develop
technology rapidly here in the U.S. and want to apply it, i.e., bring it
to market to reap the profits from the technology without waiting years
for a CCITT approval cycle.
Another reason is that some of the recommendations are absolutely absurd.
I just had occasion to read CCITT recommendation V.15, "Use of Acoustic
Coupling for Data Transmission."
I always thought the strange regulation that acoustic couplers could only
be used for "temporary connection of portable data transmission equipment"
was specific to a small number of countries.
But those words are right in V.15, which recommends "that acoustic coupling
of data transmission equipment via telephone instruments to the telephone
transmission network should not be used for permanent installations."
This is one of the reasons that there are many less data terminals in use
in most countries in Europe than in the U.S., and one of the reasons there
are almost none on home computers. Without acoustic couplers, only hard-wired
modems can be used, and hard-wired modems are usually only available on a
rental basis from the same people who bring you your telephone service.
According to the CCITT, acoustic coupling should only be used "in
circumstances where it may not be possible to obtain convenient access
to the subscriber's line terminals."
This is certainly one recommendation that I'm glad we don't follow.
Of course, without the CCITT, we'd probably be much worse off in the
international communications area, so I basically strongly support the
work of the CCITT. Where it's helpful, unlike this case.
John Covert ...!{decvax,allegra,ucbvax}!decwrl!rhea!castor!covert