* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TESTS START FOR LONG DISTACE
" EQUAL ACCESS "  SWITCHING
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FROM: <S><C><A><N><*><M><A><N>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Well, im 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 ORIGONAL MATERIAL HAS BEEN
DONATED BY PIRATE-80 SYSTEMS--SYSOP:
<S><C><A><N><*><M><A><N>


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 Generic Program.

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 THE FIRST TO GET THIS 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.......

<S><C><A><N><*><M><A><N>
