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Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!rutgers!bellcore!faline!ulysses!allegra!lcuxlm!mag
From: mag@lcuxlm.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.misc,misc.legal
Subject: Re: Sales computer clamp-down
Message-ID: <1277@lcuxlm.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Aug-87 11:32:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: lcuxlm.1277
Posted: Tue Aug 18 11:32:24 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 20-Aug-87 06:23:05 EDT
References: <831@wrcola.UUCP> <19047@cca.CCA.COM>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Liberty Corner
Lines: 33
Keywords: furious
Summary: Called vs. calling parties
Xref: mnetor comp.misc:1061 misc.legal:2485

In article <19047@cca.CCA.COM>, dee@cca.CCA.COM (Donald Eastlake) writes:
> In article <831@wrcola.UUCP> kathy@wrcola.UUCP (K.M.Vincent) writes:
> >This may or may not be the proper place for this posting, but ...
> >
> >This morning, I answered my phone to find a computer at the
> >other end.  ...
> >...
> >button down several seconds - long enough to disconnect any
> >call - except that one.  The pitch went on and on and on -
> >...
> 
> This sounds like nonsense.  The disconnection of a call from your line
> is controlled by your local telephone exchange.  Many have delays of
> around 30 to 45 second built in so that you can hang up a phone and go
> to a different phone in your house and pick it up without losing an
> incoming call.  The timing may be different on a call you originate

It may not be. About 15% of the lines in the country are served by Step-by-
Step switching equipment.  On many models of steppers, the call will not
be knocked down until the calling party hangs up.  Steppers can return
answer supervision from a called party, telling the network to cut through
and begin billing,  but they are often unable to signal a called party
disconnect.  Therefore, a computer or nuisance caller can indeed tie up your
line.

With crossbar and electronic switches, you normally can get dial tone within
1 second after hanging up if you are the calling party, and after 10 seconds
if you are the called party.  With feature rich services(custom calling),
the calling party needs to go on hook for about 3 seconds to get dial tone,
so that the switch can distinguish between an on-hook and a switchhook
flash.  These delays may be slightly longer during busy hours.

Mike Gray