Stored Program Controlled Network : Calling Card Service-Human Factors Studies

The No. 1/1A Electronic Switching System (ess) will play an important role in the evolving Stored Program Controlled (spc) Network because, as a major electronic switching system for local and combined local/toll service, it provides direct interfaces to many of the Bell System's customers. It provides important capabilities required for System 800 Service and for a variety of other new spc network services. This paper describes several of the basic spc network capabilities provided by the No. 1/1A ess. It also describes the architecture and implementation of its common‐channel interoffice signaling (ccis) subsystem, ccis call‐processing software, and System 800 software.

Stored Program Controlled Network: NO. 1/1A ESS-SPC Network Capabilities and Signaling Architecture

Gawron¹,

Lueders²,

Moeller³

1982

Stored Program Controlled Network: Calling Card Service-Overall Description and Operational Characteristics

Basinger¹,

Berger²,

Prell³

et al. 1982

Conventionally, operator assistance is required for most nonsent paid telephone calls (calls that are billed to a number other than the calling number). Examples of these calls include collect, credit card, and bill‐to‐third‐number. These three types of calls currently represent about two‐thirds of all operator‐handled toll calls. To reduce the need for operator assistance, a new service, Calling Card Service, enables customers to make credit card calls by dialing in the billing information without the assistance of an operator; it also provides an alternative to operator‐assisted collect and bill‐to‐third‐number calls. This new capability is made possible through changes in the Traffic Service Position System (tsps) No. 1, and uses the Stored Program Controlled (spc) Network. By providing customers with an alternative to operator assistance, Calling Card Service is helping the Bell Operating Companies (bocs) and independent telephone companies stabilize operator work force requirements. This paper gives a basic description of Calling Card Service and the customer interface. It also describes the implementation in tsps, and other areas of the spc network, and discusses some of the effects on telephone company operations.

Human Factors and Behavioral Science: Methods for Field Testing New Telephone Services

Eigen

1983

Telephone services are increasingly complex and diverse, and they require more human‐machine interaction than ever before. A field test can help improve a new service by ensuring that it is easy to use with little chance for error. This paper discusses the methodology of field testing. Specially tailored telephone service evaluation methods, based on field test experience with the Calling Card Service, are presented in detail.