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From: mat@mtx5a.ATT.COM (m.terribile)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,misc.legal
Subject: Re: Re: Sales computer clamp-down
Message-ID: <1974@mtx5a.ATT.COM>
Date: Thu, 27-Aug-87 00:17:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtx5a.1974
Posted: Thu Aug 27 00:17:19 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Aug-87 06:21:56 EDT
References: <831@wrcola.UUCP> <19047@cca.CCA.COM>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Middletown, NJ 07748-4801.
Lines: 42
Xref: mnetor comp.misc:1115 misc.legal:2601

> >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 -
> >...
> >I immediately called the operator and talked to the supervisor
> >on duty.  Turns out they've had several complaints.  The calling
> >computer can, in fact, call and HOLD ON TO MY LINE AS LONG
> >AS IT WANTS.  ...
> 
> 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. ...

I have never heard of the delay in dropping a call after a hangup.  Is this
perhaps only applied after a call has been held by a switchhook flash?

At one time, the behavior described in the original posting was a
characteristic of the electromechanical central office.  If you are on a
step-by-step (Strowger) switch office, it's possible that you still have this,
especially if you are served by a non-Bell (non-RBOC) company.

Otherwise it seems unlikely.  The motivation for fixing this problem is
the possibility that the telephone may be rendered useless for emergency
and lifesaving calls.  Perhaps someone should write a letter to the company
with the call-generating machine suggesting that if someone were to die or
suffer a worsened injury as a result, they might be the target of a lawsuit.

Or perhaps you and some friends should arrange to call them all at once
(to tie up all their lines) explaining why you are upset by their operation,
and refusing to hang up.
-- 

	from Mole End			Mark Terribile
		(scrape .. dig )	mtx5b!mat
					(Please mail to mtx5b!mat, NOT mtx5a!
						mat, or to mtx5a!mtx5b!mat)
					(mtx5b!mole-end!mat will also reach me)
    ,..      .,,       ,,,   ..,***_*.