TELECOM Digest     Thu, 7 Apr 94 10:09:00 CDT    Volume 14 : Issue 167

Inside This Issue:                          Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Ring Down Unit Wanted (Sal Kabalani)
    Call Waiting Detection (Michael Stroucken)
    Information Wanted on PCMCIA (Lars Kalsen)
    Wanted: Cellular/Microcellular Network Simulator (Ravi Prakash)
    Textbook Inquiry (Dennis Esteban)
    Re: Question About MIN and ESN (Gregory Youngblood)
    Re: Question About MIN and ESN (Henrik Rasmussen)
    Australian Communications Futures (Steven Byrne)

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From: sal@ins.infonet.net (Sal Kabalani - Operations Manager / Info Systems)
Subject: Ring Down Unit Wanted
Date: 6 Apr 1994 21:56:53 GMT
Organization: INS Info Services, Des Moines, IA USA
Reply-To: sal@ins.infonet.net


I am looking for a "ring-down unit" which is used to send the output
of a fax machine (scanned documents) to a PC directly without using
the telephone lines.

I am told the device is connected via a regular phone cord to the fax
machine so that when a document is scanned into the fax memory, the
ring-down unit is started, connects to the fax machine, and downloads
the document to a PC conencted to it.

If this sounds familiar, please drop me mail on what exactly it is,
and where to get it.


Thank you,
       
Sal A Kabalani   InterNet: SAL@ins.INFOnet.net
Operations Manager    PhoneNet: (515) 830-0436 
Information Systems     FaxNet: (515) 830-0123 
Iowa Network Services    YellNet: Yo! Sal-Man! 
4201 Corporate Drive  Centralized Equal Access
West Des Moines IA 50265     Internet Provider 

------------------------------

From: mxsst1+@pitt.edu (Michael Stroucken)
Subject: Call Waiting Detection
Date: 6 Apr 94 03:44:07 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh


Hello,

I've got call waiting where I live, and since I'm on my modem quite
alot, I've relied on call waiting to interrupt my connection, so I
could take the call. But lately, my connections seem hardly affected
by the call waiting signal. I would like to know if there is something
I can attach to the phone line that would either flash a light or make
noise if a call is coming in.


Thanks,

Michael Stroucken   mxsst1@pitt.edu   Mud+IRC: Stroucki

------------------------------

From: dalk@login.dkuug.dk (Lars Kalsen)
Subject: Information Wanted on PCMCIA
Date: 6 Apr 94 21:01:39 GMT
Organization: DKnet


Hi,

What is a PCMCIA card really? What are the uses and how does it work?
Please E-mail me if you can explain that to me.


Lars Kalsen   dalk@login.dkuug.dk

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From: prakash@cis.ohio-state.edu (ravi prakash)
Subject: Wanted: Cellular/Microcellular Network Simulator
Date: 6 Apr 1994 11:39:53 -0400
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept. of Computer and Info. Science


I would like to simulate a cellular/microcellular network, and observe
its performance over a period of time for different channel allocation
strategies.

Is there a simulation package available, that I can use for my work? I
have access to CSIM, but would rather use a simulator that gives me
greater flexibility to send messages between interacting processes.

Any information will be highly appreciated. 


Thanks,

Ravi Prakash     Office: Bolz Hall, #319b
prakash@cis.ohio-state.edu   Phone: (614)292-5236 - Off.
Department of Computer & Information Science,    
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 Fax: (614)292-2911

------------------------------

From: desteban@mis.nu.edu (Dennis Esteban)
Subject: Textbook Inquiry
Date: 7 Apr 1994 06:20:59 -0700
Organization: National University, San Diego


I was wondering if anyone can recommend an informative text book on
telecommunications to include cabling, communication protocols and LAN
wiring.


Thanks!

desteban@mis.nu.edu

------------------------------

From: zeta@tcscs.com (Gregory Youngblood)
Subject: Re: Question About MIN and ESN
Date: Thu, 07 Apr 1994 00:19:00 PST
Organization: TCS Computer Systems


sathya@uw-isdl.ee.washington.edu (Sathyadev Uppala) writes:

> What is the difference between MIN and ESN?

> Each mobile unit in a celllular system has a unique ESN, so what is
> the need to have a MIN?

The ESN provides a unique serial number which is used to identify the
phone.  The idea behind the ESN is to make it difficult to change so
that normally the rule/idea of one phone to one ESN is the case.  The
ESN can be written two ways, either in HEX or in DECimal.. here's a
breakdown:
  HEX:   xx  xxxxxx
  DEC:   xxx    xxxxxxxx

The first two digits (three in DEC) refer to the brand of phone.  I
don't have a chart in front of me, but each company has their own code
for identification.  This helps to insure that one company doesn't
come up with the same ESN as another company. The last six digits
(eight in DEC) is the actual electronic serial number.  In several
cases you can look at the physical serial number of the phone, add a
couple of zeros or drop the first so many digits, add or subtract a
certain value and insert the manufacturer's code to find the ESN.
Each manufacturer is slightly different, for example, Motorola doesn't
have a correlation between the ESN and the physical serial number,
where NEC and others you can just add a couple of zeros the the
decimal value, put the manufacturer's code in the front, and you have
the ESN.

Now, why the MIN?  The MIN allows the phoen to be programmed for use
in a certain area, and allows for more natural dialing.

Can you imagine if all cellular numbers were either eight or eleven
digits long (plus the 1 for long distance ones?)  Not only would it
make it unusual, it wouldn't be the "seamless" integration of wireless
radio and telephone that many wanted in the industry's infancy.  It
also allows each phone to be used in a certain area and makes billing
easy, since you can look at a NPA/NXX combination and knwo where that
phone belongs to. [Imagine a database for billing roaming calls ... if
the phones were known by ESN and not MIN, then the roamer database
would have to have an individual record for every cell phone in use,
whereas with a MIN, they can have a pattern match, i.e. 713-822-xxxx
belongs to Houston Cellular and 713-823-xxxx to Houston's GTE Mobilnet
(these are examples, they may or may not be accurate).  So, two
entries separated 20,000 physical phones to two separate carriers, but
if the ESN was used, the database would have to have all 20,000
entries so it would know where to bill for each ESN.

Also, the MIN and ESN combination also serves as an extra measure of 
security.  If the ESN doesn't match the switch's record of what the ESN is
supposed to be for a certain MIN, then the switch isn't supposed to let 
the call go through.  [This doesn't take into consideration cloning where 
people actually change the phone's physical equipment so that it reports 
another phone's MIN and ESN effectively getting around this.]  

All in all, the MIN provides a very useful feature.  My phone, for 
example, could have the number:  555-555-7500  for its' MIN,
imagine trying to remember:      A5-08c13d   and use it for dialing. 


Greg

------------------------------

From: Henrik.Rasmussen@lambada.oit.unc.edu (Henrik Rasmussen)
Subject: Re: Question About MIN and ESN
Date: 6 Apr 1994 01:51:04 GMT
Organization: The University of NC at Chapel Hill, the Experimental BBS.


In article <telecom14.161.4@eecs.nwu.edu>, Sathyadev Uppala <sathya@uw-
isdl.ee.washington.edu> wrote:

> What is the difference between MIN and ESN?

> Each mobile unit in a celllular system has a unique ESN, so what is
> the need to have a MIN?

MIN= mobile identification number, the "phone number" of the cellular
phone. This is a number that uses area codes and NXX patterns that are
part of the national system. Mobile phones need MIN because a customer
may change phones over the years but want to keep a phone number.

ESN= Electronic serial number. Identifies a piece of equipment not the user.


Henrik Rasmussen   Audiovox Cellular Communications Corp.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Another analogy might be to wired or
'landline' telephones: each phone wire running to the exchange has a
number, but in addition each subscriber has a number. We dial the
subscriber number (or listed directory number as it is sometimes called)
to reach the other person, we do not dial the circuit or wire pair
identification number. But these two provide a check on each other. 
We might claim we are speaking from one number or another, but the iden-
tification of the wire pair is proof of the accuracy of the number we
say we are at. I often times think of the MIN in cellular as the listed
directory number and the ESN as the equivilent of the identification
assigned to cables and wire pairs in the central office.  PAT]

------------------------------

Date: Thu,  7 Apr 94 16:10:01 EST
From: Steven=Byrne%CFP%BTCE@smtpgate.dotc.gov.au
Subject: Australian Communications Futures


This may be of interest to a number of TELECOM Digest readers
internationally who wish to be kept abreast of developments in
telecoms research on the Pacific Rim. Some of this work (the Module 5
Paper 2) in particular contains an extensive discussion of technical
developments that TELECOM Digest readers may want to find out more
about. All CFP documents are available for anonymous FTP at
happy.dotc.gov.au.

                 ===============================

AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS FUTURES PROJECT (CFP)

OVERVIEW

This posting sets out the background to the CFP, a research initiative
of the Australian government to examine the emerging trends in the
telecommunications and related industries, and consider their possible
implications for Australia.

The CFP on 28 March 1994 publicly released its first two work-in-
progress papers, titled: "Emerging Communications Services - an
Analytical Framework"; and "Delivery Technologies in the New Communica-
tions World".

Summaries of these papers are also below.

Full text of all CFP papers will be available from 1 April 1993 by
anonymous ftp from happy.dotc.gov.au, in the directory \cfp_documents\.

Please note: Enquiries about any CFP matters, or anyone wishing to be
included on the circulation list for Bureau work-in-progress papers
for this project and/or for notification of relevant seminars should
contact Ms Ann Morris, phone [Australia] +61 6 274 6016 or at Internet
e-mail address:

Ann=Morris%cfp%btce@smtpgate.dotc.gov.au.

                           _______________________

ABOUT THE COMMUNICATIONS FUTURES PROJECT ...

The CFP is a research project being undertaken by the Bureau of
Transport and Communications Economics.  It aims to upgrade
understanding of future economic, technical, commercial, regulatory
and policy implications of emerging information and communications
services and technologies; and to stimulate and inform public debate
on these issues.  The project's terms of reference are wide ranging
and call for an examination of likely developments in services and
technologies; implications of these developments for market
participants in those industries (including the underlying economic
factors influencing industry growth and change, and emerging patterns
of commercial relationships within and between traditional
industries); and implications of these developments for policy and
regulation over the coming decade.

The project is due to report by the end of 1994.  Project work is,
however, proceeding in stages ('modules'), and work in progress (of
which this paper is one of a series) is being exposed progressively to
encourage feedback, and to stimulate discussion.

Terms of Reference

The CFP Team will examine and report on:

1. likely developments over the next decade and beyond in information,
entertainment and communications services and technologies;

2. implications of these developments for market participants in those
industries, including

   (a)the underlying economic factors influencing 
      industry growth and change;

   (b)emerging patterns of commercial relationships
      within and between traditional industries; and

3. implications of these developments for policy and regulation over
the coming decade.

The  proposed areas of project work include:

Services, content and marketing

1. Emerging communications services - an analytical framework;

2.  Development and marketing aspects of emerging services;
  
3.  The effects of emerging electronic communications services on
related industries;

4. Demand for emerging communications services;

Technologies

5.  Delivery technologies in the new communications world;

6.  The state of Australia's existing communications infrastructure;

7. Cost models for delivery technology alternatives;

8. Costs and network evolution

Market behaviour

9.  A profile of industry participants (internal);

10. Corporate strategies and communications investment;

Policy and Regulation

11. An analytical framework for regulation;

12. Market structure, competition, and emerging communications issues;

13. Industry development aspects of emerging services;

14. Some social policy implications of developments.


CFP Paper 1, Module 1:

EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES - AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for understanding
changes in the communications industry structure and performance.
This is done by describing categories of communications services in
terms of the technological combinations and the distinctive user needs
they are expected to meet.

The framework will provide a basis for further analyses, including:
the identification of key demand factors, which may be used to
forecast demand for emerging services; the analysis of service
production possibilities, which may be used as a basis for outlining
production functions, cost modelling and understanding industry
organisation trends; and access issues.

To understand convergence it is necessary to understand the dynamics
of communications markets.  This is because it is the competitive
market which is driving convergence by pursuing both productivity
improvements (such as increases in signal capacity) on the one hand
and service improvements (such as increasing the range, volume and
quality of services) on the other hand.  This paper considers factors
that drive communications demand as well as the productive processes
by which organisations provide such services.  This provides the
context for the convergence framework.

Structure of the paper:

Chapter 2 describes the existing markets for communications and
related services in terms of their current (but changing) demarcation
as telecommunications, broadcasting, entertainment and information
technology sectors.  Key characteristics such as prices and volumes of
various services are examined.  A summary of the relative value of
each sector, and available demographic and household expenditure
information is provided.  The outcome suggests an industry evolving in
its approach to providing for the needs of users, and users who are
becoming gradually more sophisticated in their needs.

Chapter 3 illustrates the way a dynamic market has worked to develop
services over recent years.  It considers how individuals and
organisations in a market make their preferences known, and how
suppliers organise to provide goods and services in response to these
preferences.  The interaction of buyers and sellers to establish
appropriate services is complex, extensive and ongoing.  Market
activity is also subject to influences intended to deal with questions
related to both imperfections in the market and equity and social
issues such as universal service and content control.  Understanding
the realistic dynamic context helps provide an understanding of
current developments in the communications market.

In this context the main characteristics of communications services as
valued by users are outlined in chapter 4.  The theory of consumer
demand established by Lancaster (1971) considers services as bundles
of characteristics.  Different users value different characteristics
differently, depending on their individual preferences. Many service
features provide an indication to potential users of the likelihood
that a new service will be useful or meet their needs.  Understanding
these characteristics will provide more information about which
services may be more successful: by definition, the characteristics
will form part of the analytical framework.

In chapter 5 the main attributes of services from the service
providers' perspectives are outlined.  The chapter briefly describes
how organisations combine different skills, materials and equipment,
and through technology process them to provide, deliver and market
services to buyers.The chapter summarises the theory and its
application to communications and related industries.  The
distinguishing features for communications services are the
technologies employed, including both the various inputs employed and
the productive process itself.  These include both delivery
technologies and value-added and 'functionality' technologies.  Key
technological features define certain services and match
characteristics valued by users.  These also, by definition, form part
of the analytical framework.

Chapter 6 provides a brief summary of some of the main views on
emerging communications services and environment. These include
selected summaries from the USA, Canada, Japan, and from industry
companies and analysts.  The chapter also contains a literature survey
of emerging services, and a classification scheme.

Chapter 7 provides a summary of the communications services framework
in the context of interacting buyers and sellers. The framework is
comprised of (i) valued service characteristics; (ii) technological
and functional attributes; and (iii) certain non-market influences, as
indicated in preceding chapters.  The framework has a dynamic aspect
as it is based on observed trends in these factors in the life cycle
of certain communications services.

In conclusion, the framework may be used to provide indications of
some likely new services (and claimed services) and as a basis for
further research by the Communications Futures Project.

(end of excerpt)


CFP Paper 2, Module 5:

DELIVERY TECHNOLOGIES IN THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS WORLD

INTRODUCTION

Even a casual reader of the communications (and increasingly the
popular) press both in Australia and overseas would quickly become
aware that one of the major themes of discussion relates to the
delivery platform(s) for future communications services.  Among the
more common questions that are raised, often implicitly, are the
following:

   What   sorts   of  delivery systems can  be  used  to
   provide  the   range  of new communications  services
   that  are  often  being  mooted,  and  how  do  these
   delivery systems line  up against each other?
   
   How   are  the various technological solutions likely
   to fare in the market place over the next few years?
   
   Is   an  optic  fibre  network the  inevitable,  all-
   embracing   solution   for   satisfying    all    our
   communications needs  in the  future?   (And,  if so,
   should  the  Government  be actively  supporting this
   technology  in  preference  to other solutions?)

This paper provides some early insights into these and similar
questions, and sets a foundation for future Communications Futures
Project (CFP) work on the current and future development of
communications markets and the policy implications arising from this
development.  The paper aims to provide a framework for further
analysis by bringing together some early views about the key platform
technologies and their market- relevant characteristics, about how
these technologies influence and are influenced by market
developments, and about some known market activities in Australia.

Such a survey is perhaps timely given the almost unprecedented state
of ferment at present in the cable and satellite industries.  Much of
the flurry of standards activity and corporate mergers and the general
hype about 'information superhighways' surrounds the implications of
two relatively new, but fundamental, changes in delivery platform
technologies - digital compression and optic fibre.  There are also
some important developments in terrestrial wireless technologies that
are sometimes overlooked.  Taken together, these new technologies
offer the prospect of a communications environment that is
qualitatively different from the one that currently exists,
characterised by service (or channel) abundance, and based on a wide
range of delivery platforms that are or soon will be available.

In comparison with many other markets, this matter assumes a somewhat
greater practical significance in Australia than in many other markets
because of the Commonwealth Government's decision to allow the
introduction of narrowcast and subscription television.  The practical
implementation of pay television in particular will probably give rise
to a range of issues with a technological dimension as it progresses
commercially. Some of these are already apparent, including digital
compression standards, capabilities of 'set-top unit' alternatives,
and the maturity and costs of new technologies such as asymmetric
digital subscriber line (ADSL).  These are frequently the subject of
conflicting claims from commercial participants who often speculate on
the commercial timing and capabilities of particular solutions that
are not yet commercially (and sometimes even technically) proven.
This implies a transitional phase in which policy makers will need to
have a clear understanding of important concepts and issues.

In the longer run, these technological developments are important
because they will strongly influence market structures.  Some of the
supply-side fundamentals of future communications markets will depend
on the inherent economies of scale and scope, and the barriers to
entry of different technological solutions.  Although the level of
technological maturity is not likely to permit definitive views on
these issues yet, a basic understanding of how these issues can help
shape market evolution is important.

This paper focuses strongly on delivery platform technologies.  While
developments in information processing technologies are probably more
pervasive, the issues relating to platforms are likely to have a
particularly direct influence on the direction and nature of future
market evolution and market structure and to raise more tangible
issues for policy consideration.

The paper is in two parts.  Part One (chapters 2 to 5) sets out the
technological framework: a description of important design concepts
(chapter 2), the mature delivery platforms (chapter 3), the major
recent developments in delivery technologies (chapter 4), and some of
the issues surrounding the consumer electronics required to support a
multi-channel environment (chapter 5).

Part Two deals with market evolution (chapter 6), relevant current
market activities in Australia (chapter 7), and some early
observations on these developments (chapter 8).


Posted by:
Steven Byrne, Principal Research Officer            
Communications Futures Project. Canberra, Australia 
Internet: steven=byrne%cfp%btce@smtpgate.dotc.gov.au
CIS: 100033,1506  OZ-Email: SBYRNE@OZEMAIL.COM.AU   

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End of TELECOM Digest V14 #167
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