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From: SINGER@ibm.com (David Singer)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Unbreakable Dialtone
Message-ID: <16253@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 22 Jan 91 01:10:34 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 43, Message 12 of 12


Once in a while (maybe one call out of ten), pressing the keypad on my
phone (or sending DTMF from my modem) won't break the dialtone.  If I
hang up and retry, it will almost always work.  This happens on both
my lines, using various instruments.

I called telco (well, GTE); they "tested my lines" (dumping a modem
session in the process) and said they found nothing, but the problem
continues.  Can anyone suggest some magic words to whisper in GTE's
ear to point them in the right direction?

(And yes, I am paying for Touch-Tone service on both lines; one of the
techs I spoke with yesterday said that "everyone now gets Touch-Tone",
I guess in preparation for the February 1 billing change.)


[Moderator's Note: In former times, telco had no easy way to prevent
the use of touch tone phones on lines which were being paid for at
rotary dial rates. Consequently many people used touch tone service
without paying for it. If you got the polarity wrong, the touch tones
would not sound. If you got it right they would sound and the buttons
would work correctly. One of the improvements in telephony in recent
years is the ability of telco to deny tone service to people not
paying for it. Yes, you can make the tones sound, but no, they will
not cut the dial tone if you are not paying for it. Since your problem
is not one of being unable at any time to tone dial (i.e. no general
denial of tone service because you are not listed as having it) but
only an occassional failure, it is probably because the CO is now and
then sending you the 'wrong' dial tone. Try to explain to the Repair
Bureau that on occassion you 'cannot cut the dial tone' and ask if
they are from time to time sending you a dial tone intended for rotary
users. Make sure they do show both your lines being billed for
touch-tone service also.    PAT]