Comments by "User 2C47" (@user2C47) on "ATu0026T Archives: The Step-By-Step Switch" video.

  1. Smaller, cheaper, and faster. These systems were large, power hungry, and not very smart. It only supported simple telephone calls, and had no common control or advanced routing of any kind. A VoIP system requires a small box connected to the internet, which can do orders of magnitude more. The only thing a VoIP box can't do is ring a big bell or work when the power is out. While the older systems were fun to watch and listen to, they are completely obsolete and most people don't care. It would be nice, however, to still get a voice signal that doesn't sound like 2 bits in 8khz or less that only sometimes get through.
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  2.  @tmastersat  Some exchanges had automated circuits to check the dial. Extra digits we're usually ignored. It is possible that the service man thought you were attempting to bypass security and make free calls. Edit: Could it have simply been a recording?
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  3. The contacts for non-working numbers are all wired to a recording or a reorder tone.
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  4. But would the Internet have become a thing if Bell still existed? Edit: just checked. Bell wanted to have proprietary dataphones. The Internet was nothing more than private computers as of 2024. There was, however, text messaging and electronic mail. Computers remained for the most part business machines, with some home video game consoles existing. Smartphones were not much more than PDAs.
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  5. Would be more effective if you dialed long distance to non-working numbers that never pick up, such as permanent busy signals.
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  6. As long as it's fused and the entire network is in emergency shutdown mode during the attack. Some serious power can be induced in the long wires used to carry telephone signals.
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  7. Higher pitched tones are often used in Europe. Some of the American tones in rural areas were literally generated by an oscillating relay. Others were generated from the line frequency or a rotary tone generator. Electronic oscillators were used in newer systems. Listen to a few of Evan Doorbell's phone tapes for examples.
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  8. The 1ESS is a better switch for larger exchanges.
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  9. Only panel switches had motors.
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  10.  D B  They didn't have encryption of any kind, although texting was a thing, as long as both parties had teletype machines.
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  11. The problem would be in that box, not the phone network.
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  12. No reason to.
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  13. Cell networks are entirely digital.
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  14.  49jubilee  Agreed. It wouldn't have been the same. There would be no DNS or HTTP. There would be data phones.
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  15. Actually more computer than telephone.
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  16. Was the only economical option for rural areas and PABXs.
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  17. And phones will no longer ring indefinitely. Also, any modern phone will immediately disconnect if the line is busy.
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  18. CDMA is entirely digital. Neither pulse nor tone is used.
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  19. Switchboards!
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  20. Did step even have direct distance dialing? It may have just sent the call directly to a long-distance tandem when you dial 1.
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  21. Yes, due to the very long telephone lines connected to the system, but likely repairable.
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  22. Does that not damage the switch and allow it to get stuck again the next time it's used?
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  23. Step offices did not have call waiting or conference calling functions. They could connect the calling party to the called party, and nothing more.
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