The F.B.I.'s latest idea: make wiretapping easier

Article Abstract:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI's) proposal to require the licensing of new telephone equipment by the federal government so as to facilitate wiretapping of digital telecommunications equipment is strongly opposed by both the American Civil Liberties Union and telephone companies such as AT and T. Opponents of the legislation argue that the proposal is unclear and therefore vulnerable to abuse. The FBI, meanwhile, believes the action is necessary because the advent of digital equipment such as fiber-optic cabling has made wiretapping criminals difficult and sometimes impossible. If the proposal is approved by Congress, telephone companies would have to modify computer equipment so that agents could decipher the digital bitstream. Modification costs would trickle down to rate payers.

Political activity, Privacy, T, Digital communications, United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wiretapping, American Civil Liberties Union, Lobbying, Legislative process, Government Agency, Outlook, Legal Issues, Legislation, Digital Communication, Code Conversion

---

New York State approves caller-identification service

Article Abstract:

The New York State Public Service Commission approves caller identification, responding to a request presented by the New York Telephone Co. Caller ID allows a telephone company's customer to identify and record incoming calls so that a caller's identity can be known. Caller ID could be used to screen and prevent unwanted calls. Critics say the service might increase 'junk mail' and 'junk calls.' The Public Service Commission has ruled that callers can arrange that their identities not be revealed so that a caller's privacy is protected. Because caller ID requires new equipment and will be introduced as part of an overall modernization of New York Telephone's networks, the new service will not actually be available in New York City for at least a year.

New York, Government Regulation, New York Telephone Co., Caller ID telephone service, Caller ID, Automatic Number Identification (Telecommunications)

---

MCI offers a business discount; smaller concerns are focus of the program

Article Abstract:

MCI Communications Corp is planning to expand its popular 'Friends and Family' program to the corporate sector by offering 20 percent discounts on long-distance calls to small businesses. These small businesses must enlist other companies to use MCI's telecommunications services in order for both companies to enjoy the price cuts. MCI had 62 billion minutes of telephone use in 1991, a 9.7 percent gain from the previous year. AT&T had 222 billion minutes of calls in the same year, reflecting a gain of 6.3 percent. The new MCI program is called 'Friends of the Firm' and is available to businesses with $2,000 or less in monthly long-distance calls. Both MCI and AT&T offer more customized programs for larger companies.

Planning, Finance, Prices and rates, Telecommunications systems, Small business, Long distance telephone services, Long-distance telephone service, Market share, MCI Communications Corp., MCIC, Price cutting, Strategic Planning, Competition, Marketing Strategy, Discount

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The privates' progress: the role of business in health care is growing. To live or die: doctors and legislators struggle with the ethics of euthanasia
• Abstracts: Fragile loyalties: Liberals and Tories embrace the Reform agenda. Grassroots fervor: a Calgary citizens' group says Yes
• Abstracts: Documentation? It's often better to go buy a book. Just how dead is the mainframe? The shrink-wrapped LAN

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