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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!yale-com!leichter
From: leichter@yale-com.UUCP (Jerry Leichter)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Modem Users Beware: BELL $$$
Message-ID: <2199@yale-com.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Oct-83 13:53:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: yale-com.2199
Posted: Tue Oct 18 13:53:31 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Oct-83 05:59:53 EDT
References: utzoo.3265
Lines: 21

On the question of how Telco can tell if you are using a modem:  Telco's
have always had the right to listen in to check for equipment faults,
monitor line quality, even check for fraud if need be.  The general rule
is that your LINE isn't private, even though your CONVERSATION typically
is.  For example, it used to be that if you called the operator and com-
plained that a number had been busy for a long time, the operator could
check by just tapping in to the line and listening.  More modern equipment
provides an automated tap - but through a filter that makes it impossible
to understand the speech overheard.  It's hard to see how this could be
considered intrusive by a court or even a regulatory board.  The fact that
you are using the line - the only thing that can be determined this way -
is knowledge the phone company obviously already has.

To determine if you are using a modem, Telco need only connect a device that
is sensitive to the modem carrier frequencies to your line for a very short
period of time.  While you may not like the result - a higher phone bill -
I claim it is rather hard to argue that your privacy has been compromised.
Remember, what you use for phone for has ALWAYS been a factor in billing -
businesses pay MUCH more.
							-- Jerry
				decvax!yale-comix!leichter leichter@yale