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From: jimmy@PIC.UCLA.EDU.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: "890" and warning letter
Message-ID: <8706030704.AA15356@pismo.PIC.UCLA.EDU>
Date: Wed, 3-Jun-87 03:04:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: pismo.8706030704.AA15356
Posted: Wed Jun  3 03:04:28 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 6-Jun-87 09:43:05 EDT
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Approved: telecom@buit1.bu.edu

Someone mentioned that AT&T was adding a toll-free area code of 890.

In fact, Bell of PA (and perhaps the other Bell Atlantic companies?) has
created the toll-free *prefix* of 890.  This would be accomplished through
agreements with neighboring independent Telcos and appears to actually be a
way for Bell Atlantic to offer a local toll-free service without involving
AT&T.  Personally, I don't think Telcos should be allowed to do this.  The
area code 800 is well established as a toll free prefix and the introduction
of different toll-free prefixes in each area code will only add to customer
confusion.  Uniformity should not be sacrificed in favor of the Telco saving
a few cents.



A different someone mentioned a letter from Pacific Bell warning that a new
switch was being installed.  P*B has been routinely sending out these letters
to those about to be converted (usually from crossbar) to a Northern Telecom
DMS100 Digital switch.  The switch has many quirks, but especially annoying
is often a lack of CPC (Calling Party Control signal), though P*B has been
adding this to the DMS switches.  The letter is just for P*B to cover
themselves ("We warned you!").



Telephone enthusiasts (and anyone else with an interest in communications)
is invited to call the ESSug (ESS Users Group) on (714)973-2000 (300/1200bps)

Jim Gottlieb
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