Date: Sun, 6 Sep 92 19:04:31 EDT
From: falcon!cubs!ralphw@grackle.att.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: 900-555-XXXX (Informat
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 687, Message 6 of 9

> In article <telecom12.641.11@eecs.nwu.edu> (Dave Cantor) writes:

>> I tried to get 900 directory assistance tonight from Nashua, NH
>> (603-888).  I got the following intercept:

>> "Due to a change in network architecture, the 900 information number
>> has been disconnected.  This is no further information available
>> at this time."

> I just tried 900 555 1212, and I got an AT&T live operator intercept.
  
The 555 exchange has apparently been reassigned by BellCore.  It will
be interesting to see if enough PBXes allow 900-555 calls to go
through to make this service worth it to vendors and other information
providers.

                            AT&T TODAY
                         (U.S. Edition)
                                         
Thursday, August 27, 1992 -- 11:45 a.m. EDT 

AT&T ANNOUNCES *** Businesses looking to offer database information
and technical expertise to other businesses can use a new telephone
"address" on the AT&T network.  AT&T announced yesterday that the
company would dedicate the 900-555 exchange to business-to-business
pay-per-call programs.  Bell Communications Research, which manages
the national telephone numbering plan, assigned exclusive use of
numbers in the 900-555 exchange to AT&T.  Companies today are using
900 numbers to provide services to other businesses, such as
out-of-warranty product support, high-level technical consulting
services, credit verification, facsimile database abstracts and
employee dial-in conferences and training.

Charges for the calls offset the cost of providing prompt, expert
service.  Any PBX that allows six-digit screening can be programmed to
accept 900-555-XXXX calls.  AT&T chose the 555 exchange for
business-to-business 900 service calling partly because so many people
equate 555 with "information."  Information on AT&T MultiQuest 900
Services is available from AT&T sales personnel or by calling
800-243-0900.  [See news story below.]

*** 900 BUSINESS -- AT&T has set up a specialized 900 service for
businesses only, designed for firms that offer database information
and technical expertise to other businesses.  AT&T said it will
dedicate the 900-555 exchange to business-to-business pay-per-call
programs.  Many corporate switchboards are programmed to block access
to 900 numbers.  But the numbers in the 900-555 exchange will be
accessible to those who need them, while still blocking calls to other
900 numbers, AT&T said. [Newark Star-Ledger]
 
                       -----------------

Personally, I suspect that this is just something else that Cincinnati
Bell won't be able to deal with, while other RBOCS will.  I'd want my
900 blocking to be disabled for calls to 900-555.

I worry about our model of communications when we have to use a single
phone number to control routing (choice of carrier), content (`clean'
information for business), billing (900 is extra $), and addressing
(actually getting connected to the person or organization you are
trying to reach.)

EasyReach 700 services seems to be a good compromise in this regard.
You can control who calls you for free vs who pays.


Disclaimer: My own opinions.

Ralph Hyre