🚀 go-pugleaf

caf@omen.com (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX) wrote:

>A recent visit by a GTE line technician confirmed my paranoid
>fears: the reason my Internet PPP connection goes down a few
>times a day, the reason my FAX goes dead from time to time, and
>the reason my voice lines go nuts from time to time is the
>presence of line multiplexers on my phone lines.

	I have never heard GTE ever refer to a device on a POTS line
as a multipexer. Are you sure the person you talked to knew
what he/she was talking about. GTE uses various forms of
Pair Gain Subscriber Carrier and on occasion Line
Concentration devices.
	None of these should cause you to loose connections or have
no dial tone on your lines unless there is something wrong
with the unit.

>If you are reading this posting and don't know what these 
>potholes on the Information Superhighway are, you really don't
>want to know.  These devices allow the phone company to charge
>for several lines without having to lay the required amount of
>copper pairs.

>Unfortunately these line multiplexers often interfere with
>high speed modems.  Sometimes they even wipe out basic
>POTS functions such as Touch-Tone dialing and voice conversations.

>So I raise the question: Is there a reliable, high quality
>line multiplexer that does not bollix v.34 modems and does
>not intermittently fade out to static?

	All of the devices that I know of that GTE is presently
using can be configured to allow you v.34 connections. You
will probably run into one problem though. GTE will inform
you that they only support 2400 baud on voice grade lines.
This will give you 21.6k connects on your v.34. If you are
not getting reliable 21.6 connects start complaining.
	If you don't get the problem resolved calling the Repair
number, look in the front of your phone book for the area on
Rights and Responsibilities. This area should contain the
number for the Local Service Manager in your area. If he/she
is of no help the same page should have the number for the
GTE Action Line, this is your next step. If all else fails
the same page should have the phone number and address of
you state regulatory agency.
	Once again you should NOT be getting cut off unless the
carrier is malfunctioning.


************************
Steve Uhrig

Chillicothe, Ohio  USA
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