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The Telecom Digest for May 22, 2014
Volume 33 : Issue 90 : "text" Format
====== 32 years of TELECOM Digest -- Founded August 21, 1981 ======
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Telecom and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Digest for the
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See the bottom of this issue for subscription and archive details
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Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 12:32:10 +0000 (UTC)
From: tonypo <t-nospam-ony.pelliccio@gmail.com>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: 4 major phone carriers providing text-to-911
Message-ID: <lli6c9$2r5$1@dont-email.me>
On Mon, 19 May 2014 20:58:28 -0700, Thad Floryan wrote:
> This is very interesting. I can see where texting might be necessary to
> remain quiet while observing a robbery in progress in a store or a
> burglary in one's home.
>
> Both of my cellphones have texting capability but I haven't a clue how
> to do it on either phone. I probably should learn how. :-)
>
>
> http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4-major-phone-carriers-providing-text-911
>
>
> By WILSON RING May. 19, 2014 7:01 PM EDT
>
> MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- The four major U.S. wireless phone companies are
> providing emergency texting 911 service as of this month to any local
> government that wants it and has the capability to use it, a big step
> toward moving the nation's emergency dispatch system out of the
> voice-only technology that dates to the 1960s.
>
> Local governments in 16 states are using it, according to the Federal
> Communications Commission, and Vermont became the first to offer the
> technology statewide Monday.
>
> "This is a big deal," Brian Fontes, the chief executive officer of the
> Virginia-based National Emergency Number Association, said of the four
> major carriers offering text-to-911.
>
> "It's been a long time -- years, decades -- since our nation's 911
> systems have been advanced. They are pretty much still almost 100
> percent voice-centric, 1960s technology."
>
> Fontes said that 911 texting is part of a broader push to use technology
> to enhance the information that can be provided to emergency responders.
>
> "In today's technology world where you and I and other people have
> smartphones that can do many different things simultaneously, it's
> important that we have the opportunity to ensure that our nation's 911
> centers are equally equipped with technology."
>
> Some professional sports teams allow fans to report unruly behavior
> inside stadiums and arenas through texting, while law enforcement has
> started using text messaging during standoff negotiations.
>
> { story continues at the above URL }
>
> Thad
This sort of ties in. Several years back the I.T. Crowd did an episode
where you could email emergency services. It was pretty funny, Moss
trying to remember the email address.
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 10:21:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: HAncock4 <withheld@invalid.telecom-digest.org>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: 4 major phone carriers providing text-to-911
Message-ID: <4bb056fd-e6ff-4907-b93c-b59bb4a1ebc8@googlegroups.com>
On Monday, May 19, 2014 11:58:28 PM UTC-4, Thad Floryan wrote:
> Both of my cellphones have texting capability but I haven't a clue how
> to do it on either phone. I probably should learn how. :-)
Except that according to a 5/19/2014 article in Tech Times, the FCC says,"the ability to contact 911 using text is only available on a limited basis in a few markets. For this reason, you should not rely on text to reach 911."
The article says "the situation today is that only 59 out of more than 6,000 emergency communication centers support taking text messages instead of phone calls." They're hoping to substantially increase this number in the next few years.
So, even if the carrier supports it, it's of no value if the local 911 call center does not handle texting.
Tech Times article:
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/7139/20140519/fcc-text-to-911-911-calls-911-operators-emergency-texting.htm
FCC statement on text-to-911:
http://www.fcc.gov/text-to-911
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 11:17:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: Neal McLain <nmclain.remove-this@and-this-too.annsgarden.com>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: DirecTV, AT&T merger will 'redefine the video entertainment industry'
Message-ID: <186c2000-c81c-463f-90dd-5b61b81601ed@googlegroups.com>
By Samantha Bookman. FierceOnlineVideo, May 10, 2014
Calling DirecTV the best video provider in the business, AT&T
CEO/Chairman Randall Stephenson made video delivery across all
screens -- television and mobile devices -- a key point in an
investor call discussing its $48.5 billion acquisition of the
satellite pay-TV provider.
"This is a unique combination. No other company will have a
nationwide mobile footprint, a nationwide video footprint, a
broadband footprint as extensive as this one. This will redefine
the video entertainment industry," Stephenson said.
"We've had on and off conversations about the industry and
whether it makes sense to put these two companies together,"
Stephenson told investors and analysts on the call Monday. "The
whole idea, the vision of delivering video on all screens: The
more we looked and evaluated, we knew we needed to be scaled in
video."
Continued:
http://www.fierceonlinevideo.com/story/directv-att-merger-will-redefine-video-entertainment-industry/2014-05-19?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
-or-
http://tinyurl.com/qfwzwpe
So what are they going to name the merged company?
Here's my suggestion: at&t&t
Neal McLain
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 14:01:55 -0500
From: Frank Stearns <franks.pacifier.com@pacifier.net>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Cable selection for Overland Ringdown System
Message-ID: <i6SdncxqFqS-ZeHOnZ2dnUVZ_g2dnZ2d@posted.palinacquisition>
I'm looking to put phones between two households with a ringdown box; the houses are
approximately 700 feet apart. (We already have radio links for voice and data; but I
also want a hard-wired back up.)
Looking for practical advice on cable selection. This wire will go overland, though
it is feasible to put it under 3-6" of soil in a quick little trench most of the
way, but parts perhaps could be exposed, if I found suitable cable.
I was thinking of some sort of armored CAT5; then I'd have four pairs. But perhaps
there's a better 2 pair cable for this application. (I do want at least two pair;
with one pair as a spare. The cat5 was interesting because I'd have two additionl
pairs for some other future use.) In those exposed sections we'd need something that
the chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and other critters would not find tasty.
Cable suggestions welcome,
Thanks in advance,
Frank
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