========================================================================== NorthWestern Syndicate Presents: THE SYNDICATE REPORT Issue No. 1 Written by The Sensei =========================================================================== =========================================================================== PC SYSTEMS/EXCHANGE NAME CHANGE: PC Systems/Exchange has changed it's name to NorthWestern Syndicate. Also, if you have been calling the number above, and keep getting a Bell recording, take it easy. NWS will be up soon enough. I will estimate on the 6th month, of the 1st day. This is just an approximation. And If decide to not set it up, then don't call. I'll simply not use the number anymore in my files. =========================================================================== CCSN CARD HOLDERS: Corporate Communications advises that, for Bell Employees' convenience, starting April 14, they will hear an additional dial tone when using their CCSN Calling Card. Existing instructions indicate that before entering the authorizaion code they "PAUSE FOR 3 SECONDS...THEN"; effective April 14, that instruction will be "LISTEN FOR DIAL TONE...THEN". Anymore information on CCSN Cards, please get a hold on me. On most popular Ascii Express Lines/Bul.Board Systems. =========================================================================== CENTREX/CENTRON CALL FORWARDING: There is a change of instructions to activate thecall forwarding feature. All station users who use the call forwarding feature, there are changes to be aware: OLD Instructions: 1) Enter the call forwarding - activate code 2) Enter "9" 3) Enter the telephone number that calls are to be forwarded to. NEW Instructions: 1) Enter the call forwarding - activate code 2) Enter "Alternate Acces Code" 3) Enter the number that calls are to be forwarded to. Also note that any call placed using the "Alternate Access Code" will be processed on the local or to toll network and be billed the standard DDD Rates. Sorry, they "Alternate Access Codes" will not be presented in this present file. Look for the next issue. The codes will be only in regional states with the 612 Area. Sorry for the rest of you, but if you ask me, I can give you information on retrieving them. ==================================================================== MESSAGE SERVICES: Information Services announces it plans to expand two Message Services products starting June 4 in NorthWestern Bell's regional states. Selective Class of Call Screening, is a Bell product being offered to business customers. This service provides the abiltiy to restrict certain types of operator handled calls placed from their phones. Billed Number Screening, is available, but not offered. Formed is a product team: thus, product development is underway. Product features allow users to prohibit certain operator handled calls from being to to their phones. I know a lot of people that do this, but I see they will have a much tougher time getting away with it. Information Services' objective has been to expand customer base and provide additional revenue to line of business and Bell. =========================================================================== U.S. WEST INFORMATION SYSTEMS SELLS PBX TO GSA: U.S. West InfoSystems Inc. has sold and InteCom Inc. Integrated Business Exchange (IBX) s/80 voice data PBX to the U.S. General Services Administration. The 8,500 line swithc will be installed in the GSA's new 670,000--square-foot building in Portland, Ore., and thte U.S.West company will install, support and maintain the switch. Cutover is scheduled for July '86, according to the Bell. =========================================================================== FCC RESTRICTS MINOR ACCESS TO DIAL-A-PORN: The FCC passes new regulations that will restrict access by minors to dial-a-porn services. Under the rules, users of the dial-a-porn recorded messages must arrange for special access codes or make payment for the calls by credit card. Access codes will be issued by providers of the services after proof of age by applicants. No real loss. =========================================================================== GALLUP POLL REPORTS MA BELL ISN'T MISSED: A new Gallup Poll reports 84 percent of consumers say local phone service is equal to or better than two years ago. Only 14 percent say it is worse, in a survey conducted for the U.S.Telephone Association. But the respondents have mixed opinions of local phone companies since divestiture. There are 46 percent who have a less favorable attitude and 47 percent who it's the same or better. These polls should be given to regular users of the telephone. I know I could give them a few harsh stories about their better phone system. =========================================================================== AT&T PROPOSES LONG-DISTANCE RATE DECREASE: AT&T proposed steep rate cuts on its LD service that will mostly benefit business users and will increase pressure on smaller LD competitors. AT&T said it proposed to the FCC rate cuts amounting to more than 1.5 billion a year. The steepest cut would be calling during the day and evening ho urs, when businesses make an estimate 90% of their calls and residents make about two-thirds of their calls. AT&T said regular LD rates (as will as rates for WATS and 800 services) would be cut...AT&T said it was passing along recent larger-then-expected rate cuts by the local telephone companies. =========================================================================== This concludes this Issue No. 1 reports presented by: The Syndicate Report Copyright (C) May 18 1986 by The Sensei =========================================================================== Other System Operators may use this file as long as nothing is altered. =========================================================================== [Mother Earth BBS]  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253 12yrs+