List of Sidebars

Chapter 1: A Buyer’s Scoop on Telecom

Understanding how CLECs got a piece of the pie

Getting dedicated locally

Chapter 2: Making (And Living with) Telecom Decisions

Old phone systems don’t die; they just get resold

Test-driving a hybrid

Chapter 3: Getting Around the Telecom Neighborhood

Remembering what Stevie Mnemonic says about inter versus intra

A phone number by ANI other name . . .

Playing the international dialing trivia game

Chapter 4: Understanding Dedicated Service Requirements

Making sure your new CSU can be looped before you buy

Getting tips and reminders from the pros

Chapter 5: Meeting Toll-Free Service, the Red-Headed Stepchild of Telecom

Discovering toll-free numbers in their natural habitat: The SMS database

This isn’t your daddy’s 800 number

Understanding the origins of pay phone surcharges

Chapter 6: Getting the Non-Accountant’s Guide to Your Phone Bill

Telecom two-digit rounding may not be mathematical rounding

Why tiered rates have become popular so fast (if you care)

Understanding why cross talk causes strange billing

Chapter 7: Ordering Regular Phone Lines and New Long-Distance Service

Getting local versions of long-distance companies

Understanding your long-distance options

Chapter 8: Ordering Dedicated Service

A note if you already have ISDN service

Understanding the complexities of type 2 (and type 3) circuits

Chapter 9: Ordering Toll-Free Service

Dealing delicately with RespOrg departments

Understanding the migration process

A matter of routing

What DNIS actually looks like

Understanding trunk group level features

Chapter 10: Activating Your Dedicated Circuit and Toll-Free Numbers

Working the diplomacy angle to resolve handshaking issues

Welcome to your own private Bermuda Triangle: IMB

Asking for installation trouble resolution timelines

Chapter 11: Maintaining Your Telecom Services

Using good troubleshooting etiquette

Keeping the switched network in mind when you have a problem on a dedicated circuit

Keeping an open mind to the information

Understanding the translating and routing of calls

A day in the life of a fiber cut

Chapter 12: Troubleshooting Switched Network Issues

How dial-around codes work

Keeping your local carrier from passing the buck

Using 10-10 codes for international issues

Understanding inbound routing

Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Your Dedicated Circuits

Beware the misdiagnosed problem

Got a headache? Then you must have a bouncing circuit

Remembering the first rule of troubleshooting

Avoiding permanent IMB status

Understanding your trouble ticket options

Dealing with synch issues caused by Dialogic cards

Getting the scoop on loops

Chapter 14: Transferring Data, Not Just Voice Content

Researching MPLS on the Web

Chapter 15: Riding the Internet Wave: VoIP

Reading in the Ethereal world

Don’t go rogue on me

Capacity concerns are based on concurrent calls

Getting more information on VoIP protocols

Appendix: Making a Loopback Plug

Finding online resources