* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TESTS START FOR LONG DISTACE " EQUAL ACCESS " SWITCHING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FROM: <*> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Well, I'm sure most of you phreaks have heard many rumors about gaining access to MCI, SPRINT etc... in the POST DIVESTITURE age. The most common rumor is that there will be no access available after 1986. well, you are partially correct and have good reason to worry. While it is true that there will be an "EQUAL ACCESS" switching through all available call services (MCI,SPRINT,etc.) there will still be the need for extenal access to these companies as the business man who travels will need to make calls from places other than his home fone, so it will (in my opinion) be neccesary to leave the dialups open. However you will have the option to use say sprint by say picking up you fone and dialing 1+ a/c+number as you will have equal acces to all long distance venders as well as AT&T. You will also have the option of over-riding your vender. Befor all this gets to complicated let me show you a reprint of a TELCO company newsletter that is very informative... READ IT CAREFULLY. It's dated:2/1/84 THIS IS ORIGINAL MATERIAL BROUGHT TO YOU FROM PIRATE-80-SYSTEMS AND <*> BELL LABS, WESTERN ELECTRIC, AND AT&T will be testing will be testing long distance equal access when a NEW SOFTWARE PACKAGE is cut over in the SOUTH CHARLESTON (Thats right folks of all the places in the entire country and they have to choose CHARLESTON,WV.) ON FEB, 3 1984. EQUAL ACCESS MEANS LITERALLY WHAT IT SAY'S. ACCORDING TO THE MODIFIED FINAL JUDGEMENT,equal access will allow ALL INTEREXCHANGE long distance carriers the option to choose the same access AT&T has in connecting to local exchange offices nationwide. The SOUTH CHARLESTON cut is being discribed as the FIRST step toward nationwaide equal access. WEST VIRGINIA is conducting the FIRST NATIONAL TRIALS of the Bell Labs equal access GenericProgram. The computer memory and the capacity of the S. Charleston 1A ESS has been expanded for the tests.the 1A is the workhourse of the nations switching machines. It has the capacity of up to 129,000 lines. Two other WEST VIRGINIA CENTRAL OFFICES will also be retrofitted for equal access- the CHARLESTON 1A in MARCH and the parkersburg #1 ESS in APRIL (this should be of interest to the local phreaks). The Bell Labs technicians conducting equal access tests will make calls between WEST VIRGINIA cities and INDIAN HILL, ILL. to test the software. Customers will not be involved untile tests are complete in Sept. 84. They will not be effected during the tests However,when equal access is possible, they will be able to make long distance calls with the carrier(vender-mci,etc.) of their choosing (wouldnt you know I'd be the first guy in the country to be stuck with this shit). The software for the 1A and other switches will allow local operating companies such as C&P (Part of Bell Atlantic) to program into there local switching machines the customers CHOICE OF LONG DISTANCE COMPANIES. Every time the customer dials 1+ and a long distance number, the appropriate long distance company can be billed. The system is designed to allow customers to "OVERRIDE" THEIR CHOICE OF LONG DISTANCE providers,if they desire,by dialing five digits -- 1+OXXX. Today companies either have their own network or lease WIDE AREA TELEPHONE service (WATS) lines from AT&T. Their customers may have to dial up to 21 digits to access the services. By Sept.1,84,every Bell operating company must have at least one central office capable of providing equal access. BY Sept.1,85, one third of a companies subscriber lines must be served by central offices capable of equal access. By Sept.1,86 all central offices must provide equall acces if a long distance company (MCI ETC.) places a bona fide request. ------------------------------- I MAY BE [garbled text] SHIT BUT LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE, ALL YOU PHREAKS WILL KNOW WHATS HAPPENING AS IT HAPPENS (THE FIRST THING TO CHECK IS TO SEE IF SPRINT AND MCI CLOSE THEIR LOCAL DIALUPS AFTER THIS TAKES EFFECT) SO REMEMBER FOR THE INSIDE ON THE INSIDE STAY TUNED TO PIRATE-80-SYSTEMS THERE WILL BE UPDATES AS INFOMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. SINCE PIRATE-80 HAS BEEN INFLICED WITH THIS WE MIGHT AS WELL LEARN FROM IT SO STAY TUNED....... <*>