From editor@telecom-digest.org Thu Apr 22 17:07:09 2004 Received: (from ptownson@localhost) by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.11.6p2/8.11.3) id i3ML79p23575; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 17:07:09 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 17:07:09 -0400 (EDT) From: editor@telecom-digest.org Message-Id: <200404222107.i3ML79p23575@massis.lcs.mit.edu> X-Authentication-Warning: massis.lcs.mit.edu: ptownson set sender to editor@telecom-digest.org using -f To: ptownson Approved: patsnewlist Subject: TELECOM Digest V23 #201 TELECOM Digest Thu, 22 Apr 2004 17:06:00 EDT Volume 23 : Issue 201 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Net2Phone Unveils Wi-Fi VoIP Strategy; Net2Phone To Enable (VOIP News) Dean Anderson of AV8 Comments on Privacy Issues and VoIP Tap (VOIP News) Making the Call on VoIP - Internet Phone Services Vary (VOIP News) New VoIP Provider Has Largest Residential "Unlimited" Local (VOIP News) FCCs Decision Against AT&Ts VoIP Garners 5-0 Vote, Raises (VOIP News) Feds Ding AT&T Over Internet Calls (VOIP News) Re: Phone Line Connected to Satellite System Problems (Gary Breuckman) Re: Phone Line Connected to Satellite System Problems (Paul A Lee) Can't Ping IP Printer? (DaveC) Norvergence (Tim Trump) Honesty From Earthlink (Edson C. Hendricks) Factory Flaws Yield Headaches For Chip Makers (Monty Solomon) SBC Communications' Profit Drops 61 Percent (Monty Solomon) "Jew Watch", Google, and Search Engine Optimization (Monty Solomon) All contents here are copyrighted by Patrick Townson and the individual writers/correspondents. Articles may be used in other journals or newsgroups, provided the writer's name and the Digest are included in the fair use quote. By using -any name or email address- included herein for -any- reason other than responding to an article herein, you agree to pay a hundred dollars to the recipients of the email. =========================== Addresses herein are not to be added to any mailing list, nor to be sold or given away without explicit written consent. Chain letters, viruses, porn, spam, and miscellaneous junk are definitely unwelcome. We must fight spam for the same reason we fight crime: not because we are naive enough to believe that we will ever stamp it out, but because we do not want the kind of world that results when no one stands against crime. Geoffrey Welsh =========================== See the bottom of this issue for subscription and archive details and the name of our lawyer; other stuff of interest. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: VOIP News Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 11:21:34 -0400 Subject: Net2Phone Unveils Wi-Fi VoIP Strategy; Net2Phone To Enable Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040422005369&newsLang=en Net2Phone Unveils Wi-Fi VoIP Strategy; Net2Phone To Enable Service Providers With Wi-Fi Telephony, Extending Mobility And Flexibility of VoIP A related IDT Corporation press release is available, please refer to Business Wire story #5255, April 22, 2004. NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2004-- IDT to deploy Wi-Fi phone service utilizing Net2Phone's platform Net2Phone (NASDAQ: NTOP) today announced plans to deliver a suite of wireless VoIP solutions to service providers globally, enabling them to empower residential and corporate users worldwide with mobile VoIP applications. Building on its recently announced VoiceLine broadband telephony offering, Net2Phone's wireless VoIP solutions will offer service providers SIP-based hosted wireless telephony services that can be sold to their customers as an enhancement to their existing product set. Wireless VoIP extends the existing reach of voice and data services by removing the necessity for copper or fiber last-mile access to the Internet. Net2Phone routes all calls over wireless IP networks to its SIP-based platform, which performs call management, provides Class 5 features, billing, provisioning and enhanced services and distributes the infrastructure required for interconnecting onto and off of the PSTN network. Net2Phone offers service providers an affordable mobile telephony solution together with a complete set of features and functionality, including inbound and outbound calling with phone number selection, call waiting, caller ID and voicemail. The company also announced that its first customer, IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), a leading multinational carrier and technology company, plans to deploy commercial Wi-Fi phone service in a series of locations throughout the United States. The Ironbound area of Newark, New Jersey will be the first area covered and will enable users in residential and affordable housing to bypass local phone companies and make domestic and international phone calls via a wireless connection to the Internet. Demand for wireless IP local area networks or Wi-Fi (802.11) continues to grow, with Pyramid Research projecting 700 million Wi-Fi users globally by 2008. Wi-Max, an extended wireless broadband network reaching as far as 25 miles, is becoming a viable alternative for customers to receive high-speed Internet access in rural areas and in areas where wired broadband is not an option because of low high-speed data availability. By extending its retail VoIP offerings to the wireless environment, Net2Phone can ride the wave of wireless broadband deployments by offering a bundle of telephony in conjunction with a high-speed wireless data offer. "Net2Phone's wireless solutions remove the tether associated with VoIP, delivering the flexibility of a cellular phone anywhere in the world there is a Wi-Fi hotspot, without the need to be tied to a cell phone carrier, " said Stephen Greenberg, CEO of Net2Phone. "Net2Phone is well positioned to ride the burgeoning Wi-Fi network explosion to offer consumers and businesses affordable mobile telephony solutions." Wireless VoIP Partnership Opportunities As Net2Phone is an enabler for service providers, globally, Net2Phone can also seamlessly integrate its front and back office systems, including its billing platform, into its partners' infrastructures, thereby facilitating a unified bill for high-speed data, telecommunications and other services. Target partners include: -- Wireless ISPs (WISPs): With more than 30 million US homes that cannot access cable or DSL service, Net2Phone can offer WISPs telephony services as a bundle to their high-speed wireless product, both within local wireless environments, such as cafes and airports, as well as Wi-Max deployments throughout entire cities. -- Rural Opportunities: Residents in rural areas may benefit from broadband Internet access as well as competitive telephony service. With more cities and municipalities offering their populace extensive long-range wireless networks in their locales, Net2Phone can offer full featured inbound and outbound calling capabilities within those networks. -- Wireline High-Speed Data Providers: Net2Phone can empower high-speed data providers, such as cable and DSL operators, with mobile telephony solutions, thereby extending the reach and flexibility of their broadband telephony service. -- Wireless Home Networks: Within a home networking environment, users can roam throughout the house with a Wi-Fi phone. End users can then use the Net2Phone service anytime they are within a hotspot, either at home or on the road. -- Public Hotspots: Customers can take their Wireless VoiceLine account and phone number and roam onto any open hotspot to place and receive calls. This strategy is very similar to the RBOC's strategy of offering their DSL customers free data roaming on their hotspots to further extend their value proposition to their customers. -- OEMs -- Cell Phone Manufacturers: Net2Phone is also in discussions with cell phone manufacturers that are creating dual mode cell phones for both cell phone and VoIP usages. -- PDA Manufacturers: PDA manufacturers can also add software to their devices that can enable a wireless PDA with phone functionality using Net2Phone. Layer incremental SIP telephony services Net2Phone can also enable its partners to offer to their subscribers, residential telephony services, prefix dialing services and calling cards. By marketing multiple telephony services to their subscribers using one unified account and platform, partners can maximize their telephony revenue per subscriber. About Net2Phone Net2Phone provides PacketCable, SIP and wireless VoIP solutions around in the world. As leaders in enabling telecom service providers and cable operators with turn-key hosted VoIP telephony services, Net2Phone has routed billions of retail VoIP minutes globally, servicing more than 100,000 users in the US as well as hundreds of thousands of more overseas. Net2Phone's hosted SIP platform provides partners with residential broadband telephony, calling cards, prefix dialing and enterprise services in over 100 countries. Net2Phone's PacketCable platform provides cable operators with the ability to deliver a primary line replacement service with guaranteed QoS and features such as E911. Traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol NTOP, Net2Phone's strategic partners and investors include Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L; LMC.B) and IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT; IDT.C). For more information about Net2Phone's products and services, please visit www.net2phone.com. Net2Phone Corporate Communications Dawn Orlinsky, 973-438-3508 dorlinsky@net2phone.com How to Distribute VoIP Throughout a Home: http://michigantelephone.mi.org/distribute.html If you live in Michigan, subscribe to the MI-Telecom group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MI-Telecom/ ------------------------------ From: VOIP News Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 11:27:57 -0400 Subject: Dean Anderson of AV8 Comments on Privacy Issues and VoIP taps Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com http://www.cryptonomicon.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=749 Dean Anderson of AV8 Comments on Privacy Issues and VoIP taps Posted on Thursday, April 22 @ 08:00:00 EDT by mhamrick In a recent story we reported on comments by Eliot Spitzer, Attorney General of the State of New York. In a statement released by his office, Mr. Spitzer criticizes telcos for being slow to respond to law enforcement requests to upgrade VoIP technology to give law enforcement the ability to tap "internet phone calls." (See Eliot Spitzer Calls for VoIP Taps .) Now Dean Anderson has chimed into Declan McCullagh's PolitechBot mailing list and has said ... [Begin quote] Further, the concept of an _FBI_controlled_ backdoor is completely novel in the telecom industry. With telephone tapping, the FBI is supposed to have paperwork. Then the telephone company will route the audio of that phone to a "wiretap port", a line to the FBI office in response to an FBI request, for which records are kept. The FBI is never, ever given access to the CO cableplant, or the CO facilities. FBI tapping equipment is not allowed in a Telephone Office. There is someone in the Telephone company that _can_ blow the whistle either publicly or to the FBI itself in the event of abuse. (eg, Agent soandso asked for a Tap on his ex-wife) [End quote] The complete quote is available at the PolitechBot archive and is worth a click over. (see [Politech] One Internet provider's view of FBI's CALEA wiretap push [priv] .) ------------------------------ From: VOIP News Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 13:14:29 -0400 Subject: Making the Call on VoIP - Internet Phone Services Vary Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/ptech/generalstories2/042204ccdrptechgeeklife.98a4e.html By VIKAS BAJAJ / The Dallas Morning News To certified geeks like me, Voice over Internet Protocol phone calls have immediate resonance. If set up properly, the technology can be extremely powerful. It lets you manage calls to you by ringing them to several phone numbers at once or in a daisy chain until you answer. You can send calls directly to voice-mail, which can then be e-mailed to you. VoIP also lets you take your home phone number and features with you on the road. And best of all, long-distance calls within the nation are toll-free. The technology, which uses broadband Internet connections to transmit calls, can also dramatically reduce costs by eliminating many surcharges and providing lower international rates. Last year, I tested and reported on one of the first mass-market VoIP services by Vonage Holding Corp. I gave it good marks, although I was annoyed by the quality of some international calls. For the last few weeks, I have tested AT&T Corp.'s CallVantage service. I also started using 8x8 Inc.'s Packet8 service this week. Full story at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/ptech/generalstories2/042204ccdrptechgeeklife.98a4e.html ------------------------------ From: VOIP News Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 04:37:59 -0400 Subject: New VoIP Provider Has Largest Residential "Unlimited" Local Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com A thread on BroadbandReports.com led to information on a new VoIP service that, for $24.95 per line per month, offers (to residential customers) unlimited local and toll calls in the USA (All 50 states), Canada and featured international destinations. Featured International Destinations* Argentina - Buenos Aires Australia Canada Chile Denmark France Germany Hong Kong Ireland Israel Italy Korea South Mexico - Mexico City Mexico - Monterey Netherlands Norway Russia - Moscow Russia - St. Petersburg Singapore Spain Sweden Taiwan United Kingdom Vatican City State * Rates to certain cellular destinations may carry additional costs The company's web site is at: http://rnkvoipservice.com/ The discussion thread on BroadbandReports.com may be found here: http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,9993971~mode=flat (Note that in this thread, user dan33ljb seems to be the representative for the company in question). Also, note that the company's web site apparently just went live a few hours ago and several people are commenting that it is difficult to use. And, because the company is so new, there have been no actual reviews by users of the service posted yet. If this turns out to be na legitimate offer (and so far I have no reason to think it isn't), it raises the bar for the size of the "unlimited" calling area. However, there are a few drawbacks to this service at present. For one thing they only offer numbers for incoming calls in a handful of states in the northeast, and for another, if you want the "enhanced feature package" (which includes several features that are usually offered at no additional charge by other VoIP providers), there is a $4.95 additional monthly charge. Those who rarely or never make calls outside the U.S.A. might be better off with a company that offers a smaller calling area, but more features at no additional charge. ------------------------------ From: VOIP News Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 22:17:03 -0400 Subject: FCCs Decision Against AT&Ts VoIP Garners 5-0 Vote, Raise Question Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com http://www.telecomweb.com/news/1082572258.htm The FCC on Wednesday (April 21) was preparing to release its long-awaited decision on AT&T's petition seeking a declaratory ruling on its phone-to-phone Voice over Inter Protocol (VoIP) service, sources tell TelecomWeb's sister publication, Telecom Policy Report. As predicted by TPR, the Commission has denied AT&T's request, ruling that the carrier's VoIP offering is, in fact, subject to interstate access charges. And although the five commissioners voted to deny AT&T's petition, at least two of them -- Michael Copps and Kevin Martin -- are said to have serious reservations about the denial. Sources tell TPR that Copps and Martin were under tremendous pressure to vote with the majority, and that the order denying AT&T's petition was crafted in such a way as to make opposition to it appear contrary to the principles of universal service. Full story at: http://www.telecomweb.com/news/1082572258.htm ------------------------------ From: VOIP News Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 22:10:36 -0400 Subject: Feds Ding AT&T Over Internet Calls Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5197204.html By Ben Charny CNET News.com Federal regulators ruled on Wednesday that AT&T must pay traditional local access charges to complete Internet phone calls, putting the long-distance carrier on the hook for billions of dollars in deferred fees. Telecommunications companies closely watched the Federal Communications Commission decision for its potential impact on voice over Internet Protocol services. VoIP technology uses high-speed Web connections to carry phone calls, so it promises to bypass the traditional phone system, thus saving carriers and customers substantial fees. AT&T had argued that it was not required to pay the access fees to local landline companies for completing long-distance calls, when those calls travel partly over the Internet. But the FCC disagreed. In a limited decision anticipated months ago, it chose to maintain much of the status quo between long-distance and local carriers for now. The FCC said its ruling affects only calls that begin and end on the public switched telephone network and use Internet Protocol networks in between. The ruling is not expected to impact commercial VoIP providers. Full story at: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5197204.html ------------------------------ From: Gary Breuckman Subject: Re: Phone Line Connected to Satellite System Problems Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 21:57:58 -0500 Organization: Puma's Lair - catbox.com In article , J Kelly wrote: > On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 20:43:03 -0400, Keith Knipschild > wrote: >> I recently got a Satellite System installed from DISH Network, The >> receiver needs to be connected to a phone line otherwise Dish charges >> $5 a month. >> But I seem to be having a problem, The DISH receiver does not recognize >> my phone line, (Which is POTS) it fails on a phone line test. >> I then remembered that since I have VOICE DIALING, the dial tone is >> very brief ... Maybe that is causing the failure. >> So I did a test, from my phone I dialed *98 (This extends the Dial >> Tone) and did a phone line test on my DISH receiver and it Worked just >> fine. (I think the Extended Dial Tone only lasts for 1 call). >> Does anyone know how to cure this problem? Is it DISH's receiver or >> VERIZON'S problem with Voice Dialing ? >> BTW: Verizon does not Support Voice Dialing anymore, they don't offer >> it anymore, but existing customers can continue to use it. >> Keith > Does the Dish have a place to tell it to dial *98 to access the line, > therefore extending the dialtone? I recall seeing a place to set a code > to dial to access an outside line, but maybe it was only the option to > dial 9. I'm not near one of my Dish boxes at the moment to check. Let's see -- IF I dial *98, a side effect is I get a longer dialtone, so I can dial. If I don't have a longer dialtone in the first place, I can't dial *98. How does this work again? -- Gary Breuckman ------------------------------ From: Paul A Lee Subject: Re: Phone Line Connected to Satellite System Problems Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:00:43 -0400 Organization: Rite Aid Corporation In TELECOM Digest V23 #191, Keith Knipschild wrote (in part): > I recently got a Satellite System installed from DISH Network > ... But I seem to be having a problem The DISH receiver does not > recognize my phone line it fails on a phone line test. > I then remembered that since I have VOICE DIALING, the dial tone is > very brief ... Maybe that is causing the failure. So I did a test, > from my phone I dialed *98 (This extends the Dial Tone) and did a > phone line test on my DISH receiver and it Worked just fine. (I > think the Extended Dial Tone only lasts for 1 call). > Does anyone know how to cure this problem? Have you tried programming your DISH receiver with a three-digit dial prefix of '*98'? This is done in the System Setup | Installation | Phone System menu on my 4900. It might still flunk the diagnostic, but could work correctly when it actually has to dial out to report PPV purchases. It depends on whether the receiver listens for dial tone before dialing, or blind dials the prefix. I don't know which it does, but it's worth a try. Paul A Lee Voice: +1 717 730-8355 Sr Telecom Engineer [Voice & Transmission] Fax: +1 717 975-3789 Rite Aid Corporation, Telecomm, 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011-2410 ------------------------------ From: DaveC Subject: Can't Ping IP Printer? Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 20:59:58 -0700 Reply-To: me@privacy.net I've set up three routers to provide security between two small networks, yet be able to share resources. The setup consists of a Speedstream DSL modem, a Netgear FVS318 immediately downstream; and two RP614v2 routers plugged into the '318. All computers (6 total) are plugged into the 614's. I configured the routers so that they each have unique IP addresses, and serve (DHCP) unique ranges of IP addresses. All computers can share the DSL service without problems. Everything seemed fine. I then added an HP LaserJet 2300 printer with built-in Ethernet card (HP option). I plugged the printer into the '318. I then set up a (memory is a bit fuzzy, here) port for access to the printer's IP address (I think). When the printer is plugged into either of the 614's, the computers on that network can print to the printer. When it is plugged into the 318, no one can see it or print to it. Pinging doesn't work either (no packets returned; times out) when the printer is on the "other side" of the 614. I presume it is possible to access the printer across the router; what am I overlooking? Thanks, DaveC me@privacy.net This is an invalid return address Please reply in the news group ------------------------------ From: Tim Trump Subject: Norvergence Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 12:04:14 -0400 Our company is also evaluating this company as a telecom provider which I now understand is a reseller? Somewhat disturbing but would like additional info if anyone has it. Best regards, Tim Trump Project Manager Dominion Metallurgical, Inc. 5304 Valleypark Drive Roanoke, VA 24019 Ph: 540/362-8500 Fx: 540/362-8362 email: ttrump@dom-met.com MSN messenger: domettimt@hotmail.com web site: www.dom-met.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:21:44 -0700 From: Edson C. Hendricks Subject: Honesty from Earthlink This is 4/21/04, here's my transcript of almost the very same exchange from Earthlink posted here from two months ago: ++++++++++ Welcome to Earthlink LiveChat. Your chat session will begin shortly. Not at home and you want to read your email? With Earthlink Web Mail you can check your email from any computer with an Internet connection! Please wait for a site operator to respond. While you are waiting, please feel free to begin typing your issue in the box below. Try to be as descriptive as possible. Once an operator responds, click SEND to transmit what you have typed. Not at home and you want to read your email? With Earthlink Web Mail you can check your email from any computer with an Internet connection! Please wait for a site operator to respond. While you are waiting, please feel free to begin typing your issue in the box below. Try to be as descriptive as possible. Once an operator responds, click SEND to transmit what you have typed. Not at home and you want to read your email? With Earthlink Web Mail you can check your email from any computer with an Internet connection! Angela K says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today? Ed.H: Hello Angela K. Can you explain why Earthlink is sending me spam, even though I've "opted out" from receiving such unwanted junk? Angela K: Please let me know whether you are receiving non-administrative email messages from EarthLink. Ed.H: No, these are not administrative messages, they are advertising. The one is for some stupid photo processing service, the other is even identified in the subject line as "ADV", which has to do with DSL or some similar thing I don't care to be receiving email about. Angela K: Could I have your secret word/PIN, for verification purpose? Ed.H: My browser tells me that this is not a secure link, so I don't believe it would be appropriate to send such information. Am I wrong about that somehow? Angela K: This is a secured chat and I am an Authorized employee of EarthLink, so you can provide the information for verification with out any hesitation. Ed.H: OK, fine. My Earthink email address is ********@earthlink.net, and my password is ********. My domain name is edh.net, which is the only email address I let anyone know about. Angela K: Thank you for the verification. Ed.H: yw Angela K: Okay, now I will Opt Out your email address from receiving these emails. Ed.H: So, didn't I already opt it out? Several of Earthlink's telephone support people have assured me that I had done that correctly? Angela K: Now, I will do it from our servers. Angela K: I can assure you that you will no longer receive these kind of emails. Ed.H: Is there any way I could do that "from your servers" without having to get you to do it for me? Angela K: You can do it form My Account. Angela K: Sorry, You can do it from My Account. Ed.H: But, I *already did that!* Months ago. At least three Earthlink support representatives on the telephone have confirmed that. They told me these spam email messages were not coming from Earthlink. The stories don't match. What is going on here? Angela K: To best assist you, you need to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Please standby while I transfer you. Ed.H: OK Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator. Nelson D says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today? Nelson D: Hello, I see you've already been chatting. Please give me a moment so I can read the previous chat and pick up where you left off. Ed.H: Sure Nelson D: Can I have the secret pin on the account which appears to be the last four digits of your Social Security Number, for verification? Ed.H: That's **** Nelson D: Thank you for providing the verification information. Nelson D: I see that you have already opted out of all promotional communications. Nelson D: I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you in this regard. I see that you have already opted out of all promotional communications from EarthLink. However, we have noted that some of the customer are still receiving them. Our engineers are currently working on this issue. Once resolved, you will not receive any promotional communications from us. Ed.H: Could you please explain why my opting out originally did not work, and assuming that your promise is correct, that it will *this time*, why I should think it will work now? Nelson D: I apologize for the inconvenience. Our engineers are working on this issue. Nelson D: Once the issue is resolved, you will not be receiving them. Ed.H: Do you realize that this, as you say, "issue," has been going for more than two months now? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nelson D: I am sorry for the inconvenience. I assure you that it will be resolved very soon and you will not be receiving any promotional emails. Ed.H: Can you explain why some sensible, rational person, would not deduce that Earthlink is trying this way to spam its subscribers, even when they "opt out"? Nelson D: I sincerely apologize. But due to some error, our server is sending these emails to those customers also who have opted out of it. Our engineers are working to correct this issue. Ed.H: And, I deduce, that Earthlink is somehow incapable of figuring out how to stop spamming its subscribers within a period of a couple months, while it seems to be able to do pretty much everything else reasonably promptly? Nelson D: I am sorry for the confusion. These are not spam emails. This issue has been reported and will be taken care of. Nelson D: Are you with me? Ed.H: OK, fine. Whether or not Earthlink would admit it, these actually *are* spam email messages, because they are being sent by Earthlink to individuals who have clearly communicated to Earthlink that they do not want to see them. I've been trying for weeks to get this fixed. I'm sorry, if Earthlink is genuinely unable to get these "problems" fixed as promptly as it fixes every other problem, then any normal person would deduce that they're trying *not* to "solve" them, to keep the advertising running. Why is it taking Earthlink so long to fix it? Nelson D: I apologize for the inconvenience. I will forward this issue once again to concerned department and assure you that this will be fixed. Ed.H: All right, I can see you have no more answers. Thank you very much for your attention, although I must tell in closing that your explanation doesn't satisfy me, and I doubt it would satisfy practically any objective reader. Nelson D: I once again apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience in this regard. I assure you that this will not take long. Nelson D: Okay. Thank you for using EarthLink LiveChat. Should you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us again. Nelson D: Bye. Chat session has been terminated by the site operator. When you close the chat window a survey window will open. Please take a minute to fill in the survey and let us know how your chat session was. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:08:13 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: Factory Flaws Yield Headaches For Chip Makers By Daniel Sorid SAN FRANCISCO, April 21 (Reuters) - For chip makers, problems on the factory floor are increasingly turning into big headaches in the executive suite. Some of the world's biggest chip makers have lost both money and time straightening out the extraordinarily complex process of turning microchip designs and discs of silicon into working electronics. The difficulties have only worsened as the industry adopts new design features smaller than the wavelength of light, while moving to larger silicon wafers that can produce more than twice as many chips as previous wafers. While those new technologies greatly increase the potential for churning out stacks of more powerful chips at lower costs, they have also thrown up hurdles that even the largest chip makers have occasionally stumbled over. The most recent slip-up comes from IBM's $3 billion fabrication plant, or fab, in East Fishkill, New York. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) executives have acknowledged that manufacturing problems at the plant contributed to a $150 million loss that the company's chip business had last quarter. http://finance.lycos.com/qc/news/story.aspx?story=41126745 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:10:53 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: SBC Communications' Profit Drops 61 Percent SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- SBC Communications Inc.'s profit dropped 61 percent in the first quarter from results swelled by the effects of an accounting change a year ago, but the telecommunications concern's results still easily surpassed expectations. SBC, the nation's No. 2 local-phone provider, posted profits totaling $1.9 billion, or 59 cents per share, in the three months ended March 30. That compares to $5.0 billion, or $1.50 cents a share, in the first quarter of 2003 which included a benefit of more than $2.5 billion due to accounting changes. Both quarters also included significant gains from selling holdings in overseas telecom ventures. In the most recent quarter, SBC picked up 22 cents per share from its sale of its stake in Belgacom SA. Not counting the one-time gains, SBC's earnings of 37 cents a share in the latest quarter was five cents lower than the same period a year ago, but exceeded the analyst consensus of 32 cents, according to Thomson First Call. San Antonio-based SBC posted revenue of $10.1 billion in the quarter, down from about $10.4 billion in the first quarter of 2003. Local-phone service provided more than half of SBC's revenue, but sales dropped 9 percent to $5.23 billion. SBC said its loss of local-phone customers have slowed in recent quarters. The company reported 305,000 access-line disconnects in the first quarter, down from 424,000 in the preceding quarter and 748,000 in the first quarter of 2003. Much of that local phone service revenue loss was offset by growth in broadband and data services, up 6.8 percent to $2.6 billion, and long-distance phone service, up 29.6 percent to $749 million. http://finance.lycos.com/qc/news/story.aspx?story=41123945 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 09:30:33 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: "Jew Watch", Google, and Search Engine Optimization An anticensorware investigation by Seth Finkelstein Abstract: This report examines issues surrounding the high ranking of an anti-semitic website, "JewWatch.com" for searches on the word "Jew". The search results present complex issues of unintended consequences and social dilemmas. http://sethf.com/anticensorware/google/jew-watch.php ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of networks such as Compuserve and America On Line, Yahoo Groups, and other forums. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. TELECOM Digest is a not-for-profit, mostly non-commercial educational service offered to the Internet by Patrick Townson. All the contents of the Digest are compilation-copyrighted. You may reprint articles in some other media on an occasional basis, but please attribute my work and that of the original author. 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