NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/austin/general/3769

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-29 | 5.4 KB

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From: wixer!cactus.org!wixer!pro-lep.cts.com![e-mail] (System Leprechaun)
Newsgroups: austin.general,tx.general
Subject: Re: repost from comp.dcom.telecom
Date: 29 Dec 1992 04:31:52 -0600
Organization: The Texas Leprechaun BBS, Austin, Texas
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[e-mail] (Peter da Silva) writes:

>In article <[e-mail]> "John R Kennedy" <[e-mail]> writes:
>>As you may know, the Texas PUC has decided that CallerID is in violation
>>of a state wiretap law, and thus has declared the service illegal.
>
>When did this happen? Last I heard SWBell hadn't even applied for it!

Ah, another person who never reads those inserts Bell puts into your monthly
statement.  Here's the notice Bell sent you in your September statement:

NOTICE:

        Southwestern Bell Telephone Company has asked the Public Utility
Commission of Texas (PUC) for approval to offer new _optional_ call
management services called Caller Identification Service (Caller ID) and
Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR).

        Caller ID is a new _optional_ phone service which allows subscribers
to see the phone number and/or name of most local calls before they answer
the phone.  Caller ID also allows the recording of the date, time, name,
and/or phone number of calls.  Currently, Caller ID would work only on most
local calls, not long distance calls.  It would also require that a separate
display unit be connected to the telephone.  These units that attach to the
telephone will be available from various retail vendors, including
Southwestern Bell, at a cost starting at approximately $50.

        Southwestern Bell is also proposing that all customers be able to
"block," or stop their name/number from being transmitted and displayed on a
Caller ID device, free of charge.  You would have this option of "blocking"
your name/number on each call free of charge.  There would be no need to
subscribe to this service.  All customers would have this capability when
Caller ID is introduced in their area.

        If you want to block your name or number, you need only press *67 on
your touch-tone pad (or dial 1167 from a rotary phone) before dialing the
telephone number.  The person you're calling would see displayed a message
such as "private" or "anonymous" on their Caller ID display unit.

        Southwestern Bell also proposes that qualified domestic violence and
law enforcement groups have the option of free per-line blocking, or free
per-call blocking.

        Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR or "block the blocker") allows
subscribers to automatically reject all calls that have been marked
anonymous, or "blocked" by the person calling.  It is not necessary to
subscribe to Caller ID Name/Number to subscribe to ACR.  With ACR, your
telephone will not ring if the person calling you has "blocked" his/her name
or number.  The person calling whose identification is blocked will receive a
message to hang up and call back with caller identification unblocked.
Following are the proposed monthly rates for Caller ID and ACR:

Proposed Rates (monthly)*
                                        Residence       Business
                                        ---------       --------
Calling Number only                       $6.50          $ 8.50
Calling Name only                         $6.50          $ 8.50
Calling Name & Number                     $8.00          $12.00
Anonymous Call Rejection                  $3/$1**        $ 3/$1**

* These rates are in addition to the initial installation charges and monthly
basic service rate.  For residence customers, installation charges are $2.70
per feature, with a maximum charge of $5.40.  For business customers, the
charges are $5.40 per feature, with a maximum charge of $10.75.

** Anonymous Call Rejection is $3 per month if purchased without Caller ID
and is $1 per month when purchased with Caller ID Name _or_ Number.

        This proceeding has been designated Docket No. 11362, and a hearing
on the merits has been scheduled for November 16, 1992.  The PUC has
jurisdiction to consider this matter pursuant to Sections 16, 18, 37, and 38
of the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA).  This application was filed
pursuant to the provisions of the PUC's Substantive Rule 23.24.  Among the
issues that will be addressed in this proceeding is the legality of the
Caller ID device and service under Texas wiretap laws.

        Persons who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in these
proceedings should notify the PUC as soon as possible.  The deadline to
intervene is October 26, 1992.  A request to intervene, participate, or for
further information should be mailed to the Public Utility Commission of
Texas, 7800 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 400N, Austin, Texas 78757.  Further
information may also be obtained by calling the PUC Public Information Office
at [phone] or [phone] teletypewriter for the deaf.

-SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE

_____

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