Telecom Trends

Over the past couple days, there have been postings and news stories about AT&T's decision to get out of the pay-phone business and the impending demise of pay-phones in general, thanks to the increased prevalence of mobile phone alternatives.

Yesterday, the CRTC approved TELUS' application to de-standardize 900 Service, a victim of internet based alternatives. Most of us associate 900 service with late night TV commercials for chat lines, phone sex or astrologers. Let's face it, the internet offers more diverse multi-media alternatives.

I remember that one of my first projects in the telecom industry was to take a look at AT&T's new Dial-it services. The first 976 lines from Michigan Bell had a real impact on the Canadian side of the border. Canadian kids watched the ads and dialed 976-Santa. We wanted to figure out why there was traffic going to our new digital switch which was going to host the 97X exchanges in Windsor. 976 was the local version of national 900 services.

Life was simpler then. It was only a matter of time before pay-per-call found it to be more lucrative to promote other kinds of calls.

Payphones and 900 service are headed toward obsolescence. What do you think is next?

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