Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!bu.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: covert@covert.enet.dec.com (John R. Covert  26-Jul-1990 0901)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Answer Call Service
Message-ID: <10138@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 26 Jul 90 13:01:52 GMT
Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu
Organization: TELECOM Digest
Lines: 60
Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 517, Message 4 of 9


  From: Greg Monti
  Date: 25 July 1990
  Subject: Answer Call Service


The brochure arrived in this month's bill from C&P Telephone of
Virginia.  This is not intended to be an advertisement; I thought
Telecomers would be interested.

"Announcing Answer Call from C&P Telephone.  Thanks to the Bell
Atlantic Intelligent NetworQ(sm), you no longer need to buy an
answering machine to enjoy all the advantages of automatic telephone
messaging.  In fact, you don't need *any* new equipment whatsoever -
just the touch-tone equipped phone you have right now!

"Call in to retrieve messages quickly and easily ... at home or away
from home.  Save the $10.80 connection charge if you order by July
28th!"

The list of features (edited for space):

"- Special dial tone alerts you...if you have messages.
"- Call in to retrieve messages...give your password and your messages will be 
played back for you.
"- Callers hear your personal greeting.
"- Retrieve your messages from anywhere.  You don't need a pocket beeper.  You 
can operate Answer Call from any touch-tone equipped phone...
"- Protects your confidentiality at all times.  No one - not even at the 
phone company - can retrieve your messages unless you request it.
"- 30-minute message capacity.  When your mailbox is "full," you clear it by 
erasing messages you've heard.
"- Skip, replay, fast forward, erase or save.  ...You can even hear the date 
and time of each call.
"- Takes messages even when you're on the phone.  ...Plus, if you have Call 
Waiting, use Tone Block when you're on the phone and Answer Call will take the 
second call.  (With Call Waiting, Answer Call will not pick up the second 
incoming call unless you use Tone Block to temporarily deactivate Call 
Waiting.)  A third caller will either hear a busy signal or will be 
forwarded to Answer Call.
"- Option of multiple "mailboxes."  For a small additional charge, each member 
of your household (up to 8) can have his or her own personal mailbox and 
password - all on one line!

"...for as little as $5 a month - total.  (Each time a call is forwarded to 
your Answer Call access number, or you call to retrieve messages, a message 
unit may be charged if you have measured service.)

"Call now toll-free 1 800 321-7176, Operator 4501."

I think not.


Greg Monti, Arlington, Virginia; work +1 202 822-2633

[Moderator's Note: Perhaps, Mr. Monti, you will write again and
explain your objections to voicemail over traditional answering
machines. Is it just a matter of personal taste, or do you have
serious objections to the service? I've had voicemail from Centel here
in Chicago for quite awhile, and like it a lot.  PT]