Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!lll-winken!telecom-request From: Jack.Rickard@f555.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Jack Rickard) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Billed Busy Signals Message-ID: Date: 8 Apr 91 14:22:38 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: TELECOM Digest Lines: 33 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 277, Message 6 of 9 I've had continuing problems with both Sprint and Telecom*USA over the past year regarding multiple billing entries for busy signals. I use a modem and automated mailing software to contact other systems through Fidonet. If the modem receives a busy signal, it makes another attempt a minute or so later. On the bill, I routinely find a series of calls to the same number, spaced two minutes apart, each billed for a minute. The final call of the series of course, is several minutes in duration indicating I did finally connect. I've monitored the system and it is working perfectly. But in the course of a month I accumulate forty or fifty of these one minute billed entries at twelve cents each. I recently spoke with a gentleman from Telephone Express. He avows that this is a by-product of software switching and that their use of DMS-250 switches would eliminate these billing entries. Anyone know the straight scoop on this little problem and how I can eliminate it? Jack Rickard IDIC Fan Group Net 104 UFGate: 1:104/2@FidoNet 14249 E Kansas Pl. #203 UseNet/FidoNet Gateway for Net 104 Aurora, CO 80012 AKA: z200.n5000.f400.metronet.org (303)755-1681 (data) (303)752-9060 (voice) [Moderator's Note: You can't eliminate it by yourself. Only your long distance carrier can do so. The problem you describe is common with any telecom organization unable/unwilling to obtain 'answer supervision' from the serving local telco. The 'supervision' detirmines when a call has been answered, or if it was answered. AT&T and the Bells have it, most of the others do not. PAT]