Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!wuarchive!texbell!vector!telecom-gateway From: morris@jade.jpl.nasa.gov (Mike Morris) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Caller ID Privacy Question Message-ID: Date: 19 Aug 89 22:46:20 GMT Sender: news@vector.Dallas.TX.US Reply-To: Mike Morris Lines: 62 Approved: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 311, message 2 of 10 (Charles Daffinger) writes: >X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 309, message 1 of 8 >(Bill Nickless) writes: >> [...] >> ... lists some of the benefits of caller ID feature... > > ... talks about his desire to keep his second line number private... >... If it were to show up on the >screen of whomever I'm calling, that would be silly, would it not? >Something which *could* be acceptable to some may be the option of >using some kind of an alternate code for those who so desire. Thus, >instead of your unlisted/unpublished number appearing on the screen of >the receiver of the call, an alternative code (certainly a >non-telephone number) would appear. This identification number would >be unique and associated with your particular number. If somebody has an >unlisted/unpublished phone number then this associated number is >treated in the same way as the phone number: with the same level of >confidentiality. I think this is going to be a necessity. I have 2 lines here in the house, soon to be 3. Only one is listed - and I've had that number since 1965. I've given out the modem line number to maybe 4 people in the time I've had it, and that was when somebody wanted to download something. The _only_ calls I get on teh modem line are solicitors. However, the modem line is on the key system, and the light goes on when the modem is off hook. When it isn't, the modem line is used just like any other outgoing line. I can picture several scenarios: My wife is on the main line calling her aunt, and I make a call on the modem line. The receiving party doesn't recognize the number so refuses the call. Or somebody has a "smart" phone that looks the number up and displays the name of the person. Now, let's say that I call from work - and work has a PBX with 20-or-so outgoing trunks. Does the owner of the phone have to program in every trunk number? No, I think that the telco will have to offer a no-cost option where you can have an _alternate phone number_ that you also are the "owner" of be your "alternate code", Mr. Daffinger. This way, my main number, that everyone knows is "me" will show up no matter if I use my main number or my modem line. As long as this cannot be changed by the user, I think it will work. Or maybe I haven't thought it out far enough. Comments? Comment aside: When will Ma Bell offer combined billing? Sprint lists the toll calls from both lines on one bill (saving postage, paper (a.k.a. trees), etc. Why can't Ma Bell? (In my case, Pacific Bell) Mike Morris UUCP: Morris@Jade.JPL.NASA.gov #Include quote.cute.standard | The opinions above probably do not even come cat flames.all > /dev/null | close to those of my employer(s), if any. [Moderator's Note: AT&T list all lines associated with one subscriber on one bill if you ask. My Reach Out America plan is associated with both my numbers. I can use either line during the applicable time period and have the calls charged against my *single* Reach Out Plan. Likewise, billings from Illinois Bell (and AT&T, as the second part of the bill) are combined with all lines on one bill, provided the lines are on the same prefix. My itemized long distance statement from AT&T, via IBT, lists my main number, then references 'calls from xxx-xxxx' as part. PT]