Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!ames!killer!vector!telecom-gateway From: prindle@NADC.ARPA (Frank Prindle) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Pay phones that disable the keypad Message-ID: Date: 16 Mar 89 13:52:02 GMT Sender: news@vector.UUCP Lines: 29 Approved: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 94, message 6 of 7 I recently got very annoyed while trying to use a COCOT in a public place for an emergency call (not 911, but a call to notify someone's relative of an emergency). Not having any coins handy, I proceeded to use my (non-Bell) calling card which requires I dial a toll-free 800 number, then key in my PIN and the number I was calling. Naturally, you-guessed-it, the 800 call went through, then the keypad went dead. The call could not be placed. Fortunately, the management was handy and found me another (private) phone to use for the emergency situation. Upon complaining to Bell of PA, I was informed that the BPA tarrifs do not require that a COCOT be able to complete calling-card calls! (the phone was in violation on three other counts however: 1) no service number posted on phone; 2) no phone number posted on phone; 3) charged $.85 to call 1-800-555- 1212.) My point is that there are even more important reasons (than calling a tone activated service such as a locator or a bank) that the tone-pad should continue to work - namely any calling card except AT&T/Baby-Bell is likely *not* to have an operator intercept to manually handle situations where no tones can be generated. I feel that the consumer should be able to rely on any public phone (with a tone pad) to provide all the capabilities he normally uses on a public phone. Disabling the tone-pad at any time during a call substantially reduces these capabilities. I guess they expect everyone to carry around a pocket tone generator in case a phone doesn't work right. Sincerely, Frank Prindle Prindle@NADC.arpa