From: varney@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (Al Varney)
Subject: Re: 23B+D (PBX) & 2B+D (Home)
Organization: AT&T Network Systems, Lisle, IL
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 01:41:41 GMT

In article <C0n63t.GBM@norstan.com> sfrazier@norstan.com (Superuser) writes:
>Would the following work?
>
>Install a 23B+D T1 into an ISDN compatible PBX from the local Telco.
>From the local telco install 23 2B+D to 23 individual homes.
>
>The pbx would supply the "dial tone", if you will, the phone number would
>be a DID on the PBX.  The individuals could wwork out of their home.  All
>23 people could make and receive calls at the same time due to a 1:1 ratio.
>
>If the above will work, then obvious, data to and from the homes should
>work as well.
>
>Anyone, please comment if the above would or wouldn't work.

   Steven,

   Of course it will work!!  Lots of places do that, but they are usually
--- hmmm, somewhat larger.  Why stop at 23 homes -- if 23 is cost effective,
think what 23,000 would do!!  I would remind you, however, that many "PBXs"
do not have the line protection and outside plant capabilities needed to
pass electric codes (NEC) or other certification on typical line-side
equipment.  Nor do they come with software tools to easily support maintenance
of outside plant, billing (you are interested in collecting for that 23 hour
call to Paris, aren't you??), service orders, etc.  Nor would you easily
develop the proper permits to allow burying cable across right-of-ways
and easements.  And who will maintain the system 24-hours a day, handle
complaints, attend legal proceedings/zoning hearings/PBX seminars, etc.

   Won't you need a diverse back-up 23B+D TELCO connection, in order
to survive back-hoe fade and cable TV companies?  Will your cable locations
be available to the local utility-location service, so contractors won't
cut them putting in a new electrical service?  (Nothing will help with
cable TV, however.)

   What kind of insurance will you need?  Are you covered if the PBX goes
down during a 911 call?  Can you be sued for implied damages if someone
can't call work?  Are you covered by Common Carrier provisions?  If so,
do you have to file tariffs (and allow others to attach to your system)?
What kind of taxes to you have to pay, and what do you have to collect
from your users (911 tax, city telecom tax, state utility tax,....)?
If not a Common Carrier, are you liable for content of the communications
from the homes?  Can you be sued for aiding in malicious calling?
Could you support a legally-ordered wire tap?

   If you use buried cable (copper), will the PBX handle lightning hits
without damage to the main system?  (This is a major difference with
PBXs vs. CO Switches).  What kind of battery supply will you need,
and do your zoning laws permit large lead-acid batteries without a
lot of fancy blowers and containment devices?  Do you need access to
a generator during an emergency?  Where does power for the ISDN sets
and NT1s come from?

   What do you do if someone doesn't pay their bills?  Are you permitted
to disconnect someone without notice?  If not, how long and how many
notices?  How do you handle a huge bill from an IXC that the customer
says YOU made (and you control the billing records, so they're not
un-tainted evidence)?

  Good luck on your new business!!

   Al Varney - just MY opinion