A.T. & T. to eliminate many operator jobs

Article Abstract:

AT and T is introducing voice recognition call processing technology that could reduce its 18,000 long-distance operator work force by one third as soon as 1994. The technology relies on innovative software that allows callers to talk with computers through a series of standardized questions, the responses to which the computer will recognize, even with pauses, stammers and ungrammatical syntax. An algorithm called word spotting is the basis for the software. Implementation of the voice recognition technology will help AT and T's plans to eliminate 3,000 to 6,000 operator jobs across the US, in addition to 200 to 400 management positions, through 1994. This will result in the closure of 31 offices in 21 states. AT & T hopes to retrain the operators to perform other functions within the company. The Communications Workers of America, the operators' union, is outraged at this announcement because it comes just before labor contract negotiations are due to commence.

Social aspects, Economic aspects, Human resource management, T, Long distance telephone services, Negotiations, Job security, Automation, Product introduction, Voice recognition, Speech recognition, American Telephone and Telegraph Co., Labor costs, Long-Distance Telephone Service, New Technique, Negotiation, Unions, Work Force Reduction, Telephone operators

---

Ruling on local phone service

Article Abstract:

The recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to open a small segment of the local telephone market to increased competition will likely have little immediate effect on regional Bell company domination. Rather, fears that future FCC rulings will eventually open the entire local market, both residential and business, to competition are behind the Bells' vociferous protests against the ruling. The FCC's recent decision opened only a $300-million slice of the $86-billion local market to competition from such small, alternative phone companies as Teleport Communications Group of Staten Island, NY. These competitive-access providers can now complete long-distance calls to their business customers over the local telephone network, receiving a fee from the long-distance carrier for doing so. As the FCC further opens the local market, however, competition will rapidly increase as such large carriers as US West enter the fray.

Laws, regulations and rules, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Telephone companies, Market share, Regional Bell Operating Companies, Forecasting, Competition, Telephone Company, Government Regulation, Domination, Bell Regional Holding Companies, Bypass carriers (Telecommunication), Bypass carriers (Telecommunications), Local Access and Transport Area

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: TV via telephone lines planned for Manhattan. Making sense of telephone services. Facing the incredible: 1 (800) N-O-T-H-I-N-G (AT&T unable to connect 800 number calls)
• Abstracts: A.T.&T. expects profit drop; trouble in meeting '90 targets is seen. Earnings drop by 10% at Southwestern Bell
• Abstracts: F.C.C. to propose a big reshuffling of the radio band: aid for advanced phones. Puerto Rico phone sale is canceled
• Abstracts: MCI preparing TV ads to question A.T&T. reliability. F.C.C. acts to spur local competition in phone services
• Abstracts: A.T.&T. considers entering cellular service abroad. MCI, grown big, looks abroad. Head start on data superhighway

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.