telecom@ucbvax.ARPA (06/12/85)
From: Jon Solomon (the Moderator) <Telecom-Request@BBNCCA>
TELECOM Digest Tue, 11 Jun 85 17:07:48 EDT Volume 4 : Issue 199
Today's Topics:
Electronic Vaults' UPTA 96
Cellular phones and confidentiality
Re: Cellular phones and confidentiality
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Date: 11 Jun 1985 00:47:45 PDT
Subject: Electronic Vaults' UPTA 96
From: Eliot Moore <SWG.ELMO@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: telecom@BBNCCV.ARPA
Communications Week of June 10 fields an article concerning a
"Hayes-compatible" half-duplex (buffered for pseudo-full-duplex, i presume)
9600bps error-correcting async dialup modem, available as an internal
card for the ibmpc at $795 or standalone for $895.
This type of product at this price is long overdue, much as Microcom's
error-correcting 212's were.
Given the inevitability of V.32 modems on the market in 1985, is
anyone going to buy these things?
Regards,
Elmo
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From: "Bob Parnass, AJ9S" <parnass%ihu1h.uucp@BRL.ARPA>
Subject: Cellular phones and confidentiality
Date: 9 Jun 85 03:20:35 GMT
To: info-hams@simtel20.ARPA
x
George Chao, a cellular phone user, provided this article,
published in the May 1985 'Ameritech Connection' by Ameri-
tech Mobile Communications, Inc. for its Chicago/Gary area
cellular telephone users:
Confidentiality Could Be A Three-Way Street
"One of the differences between cellular service and
conventional mobile telephones is that cellular is
'private-like.' Each side of every cellular conversa-
tion is assigned its own private radio channel by our
computerized system, so there is no operator to go
through and there are no party lines to share."
"However, in the last six months, sophisticated elec-
tronic scanners able to monitor cellular radio frequen-
cies have become available, and Ameritech Mobile cau-
tions you about conversations of a highly confidential
nature held over your mobile telephone."
"Scanners are only able to lock onto one channel at a
time and can not simulate our computerized network. In
fact, they can ONLY detect one side of the cellular
conversation and ONLY for a brief period of time.
That's because our computer routinely switches your
call from one channel to another to keep the transmis-
sion quality of your conversation at a high level as
you drive through the cellular service area."
"While scanners are expensive and not routinely used by
the general public, be careful in discussing
proprietary or very personal issues when using your
mobile telephone. Remember the airwaves are public
property."
--
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Bob Parnass, Bell Telephone Laboratories - ihnp4!ihu1h!parnass - (312)979-5414
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Date: 11 Jun 1985 09:52-PDT
Subject: Re: Cellular phones and confidentiality
From: the tty of Geoffrey S. Goodfellow <Geoff@SRI-CSL.ARPA>
To: parnass%ihu1h.uucp@BRL
Cc: info-hams@SIMTEL20, telecom@BBNCCA
well, it's good to see that yet another regional arm of The
Telephone Company is still very well versed in NewsSpeak!
People have been able to hear both sides of the conversation by
monitoring the land-to-mobile frequency, do to the talk-back that
exists.
It doesn't take "sophisticated electronic(!)" scanners or any
high technological acts of chicanery as i'm sure the readership
of both info-hams and telecom are aware. What with the stories
emanating out of chicago and other areas with people tuning into
cellular phone conversations thru the varactors on their VCRs or
TV sets.
"ONLY for a brief period of time" (my ass). People have been
know to hold very long stationary conversations in which you're
not a candidate for hand off, although i have experienced hand off
when stationary myself.
In summary, the "American Connection" is full of it. If you take
Personal Communications, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming
articled, "Cellular Swiss Cheese", of which I'm co-authoring on
the subject. I'd be happy to send a copy to Info-Hams and/or
Telecom if enough interest warrants.
g
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End of TELECOM Digest
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