Tech Notes
How To Order ISDN
Ordering ISDN service can be confusing and frustrating, but it is getting easier. Just to find a person in the telephone company who had heard of ISDN used to take several phone calls and hours on hold. Now most telephone companies have a special ISDN "hotline" number and internet web sites that removes these difficulties. (Check out page 3 and 4 in this document for a list of phone numbers and web addresses in the United States and Canada.)
Once you reach the ISDN "order desk" you will be asked how you want the line configured. ISDN is a very versatile service and, because of this, there are a bewildering number of choices. Basically, your line configuration depends on the functions supported by the terminal adapter you will be using. The following order information is correct for Comrex Envoy,Nexus or Matrix ISDN Codecs and also for the ADTRAN ISU128, one of the most popular terminal adapters in North America.
NOTE: The good news is that the Bellcore National ISDN User’s Forum has a list of predetermined "capability packages" that will cover the full range of BRI applications. This system is starting to be used by local telephone companies and will greatly simplify the ISDN ordering process. For instance, in the case of the Envoy, Nexus, Matrix ISDN or ADTRAN TA, all you would need to tell the phone company is that you want BRI ISDN with "Capability Package M" (or Generic Data M). This simple code replaces the following ordering information.
If your phone company does not recognize Capability Packages, you can fax them the following:
-
Request an ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line
A U-interface reference point
2B1Q line coding - Choose one of the following:
2B+D Service (Supports up to 128 Kb/s)
1B+D Service (Supports up to 64 Kb/s)
- The following switches and protocols may be offered:
- AT&T 5ESS - with Custom protocol (5E6 or later software)
- Northern Telecom DMS-100(with Pvc1 protocol, BCS-32 or later software)
- National ISDN-1 compatible (may be a Siemens switch, AT&T 5ESS NI1 switch, Northern Telecom Pvc2 or other)
-
Request that the ISDN line allocate one Dynamic Terminal Endpoint Identifier (TEI) for each phone number.
With an AT&T 5ESS Custom Switch....
With an AT&T 5ESS switch most telephone companies provide the option of Point-to-Point (one telephone number which operates both B-channels) or Point-to-Multipoint (two telephone numbers and two SPIDs or Service Profile IDentifiers - one for each "B" channel). Point-to-Point service can complicate certain applications. For example, if you have two codecs attached to one terminal adapter that need to be able to receive calls independently, you are probably better off with Point-to-Multipoint service. Point-to-Multipoint can be trickier to set up, so if you only plan to use one codec (either on one or both channels), Point-to-Point may prove easier for you.
Request the following features:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| B1 Service | OnDemand (DMD) |
| B2 Service | OnDemand (DMD) if 2B+D |
| Data Line Class | Point-to-Point or Point-to-Multipoint |
| Maximum B Channels | 2 if 2B+D, 1 if 1B+D |
| Circuit Switched Voice | - |
| (CSV) Bearer Channel | Any |
| Number of CSV calls | 1 |
| Circuit Switched Data | - |
| (CSD) Bearer Channels | Any |
| Number of CSD calls | 2 if 2B+D, 1 if 1B+D |
| Terminal Type | Type A |
Turn the following features OFF:
- Packet Mode Data
- Multiline Hunt Groups
- Multiple Call Appearances
- Electronic Key Telephone Sets (EKTS)
- Shared Dictionary Numbers
- Accept Special Type of Number
- Intercom Groups
- Network Resource Selector (Modem Pools)
- Message Waiting
- Hunting
- InterLata Competition
With a Northern Telecom DMS100 Pvc1 Switch...
When accessing a DMS100 switch you are required to have two phone numbers and two SPIDs. Therefore, all service is Point-to-Multipoint.
Request an ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) with:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Line type | Basic Rate Functional |
| Electronic Key Telephone | - |
| Sets (EKTS) | No |
| Call Appearance Handling (CACH) | No |
| Non-initializing Terminal | No |
| Packet Switched Data Service | No |
| TEI | Dynamic |
| Bearer Service | CSV and Data Allowed on any B Channel |
Checklist for All Switch Types
After you have placed your order, make sure that the phone company provides you with the following information for programming your Terminal Adapter:
ISDN Switch Type
ISDN Switch Protocol Version
ISDN phone number(s) or LDN
Whether the ISDN line is Point-to-Point or Point-to-Multipoint
SPIDs with prefixes and suffixes (unless one is AT&T Point-to-Point)
Our thanks to Adtran for allowing us to use this information.
US Phone Companies
| Company | Telephone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Ameritech/SBC | 1-800-TEAM-DATA | www.ameritech.com |
| Bell South | 1-800-858-9413 | www.bellsouth.com |
| Cincinnati Bell | 1-513-566-ISDN | www.cinbelltel.com |
| Frontier Communications (Global Crossing) |
1-800-466-4600 | www.frontiercorp.com |
| Nevada Bell/SBC | 1-877-469-BELL | www.nevadabell.com |
| Pacific Bell/SBC | 1-800-750-BELL | www.pacbell.com |
| Southern New England Telephone (SNET)/SBC |
1-877-999-9375 | www.snet.com |
| Southwestern Bell/SBC | 1-800-792-4736 | www.swbell.com |
| Sprint | 1-800-289-4736 (you will be referred to your local carrier) |
www.sprint.com |
| Qwest (formerly U.S. West) |
1-800-603-6000 | www.qwest.com |
| Verizon | Former Bell Atlantic Customers MD, VA, WV, DC 1-800-826-2355 PA, DE 1-800-479-1919 NJ 1-800-339-9911 NY 1-718-890-0200 New England 1-800-941-9900 Former GTE Customers: 1-800-483-4450 |
www.verizon.com |
Canadian Phone Companies
| Company | Province | Telephone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Canada | Ontario, Quebec, Eastern Canada, Manitoba, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories |
1-888-999-4736 | www.bell.ca/en/home.asp |
| Island Tel | Prince Edward Island | 1-800-566-0229 | www.islandtel.pe.ca/ |
| MTS (Manitoba Telecom Services) | Manitoba | 1-204-CALL-MTS | www.mts.mb.ca/ |
| Aliant (MT&T) | Nova Scotia | 1-800-688-9611 811 |
www.mtt.ca/index.html |
| Aliant (NB Tel) (no ISDN service) | New Brunswick | 1-800-561-6283 | www.nbtel.nb.ca/ |
| Aliant (NewTel) ISDN available in select areas) |
Newfoundland | 1-800-563-5400 | www.newtel.com |
| No-thwest Tel (no ISDN service) |
Northwest Territories, Yukon, Northern British Columbia, Nunavut |
1-800-661-0493 811 |
www.nwtel.ca/ |
| Telus Quebec (ISDN available in select areas, call telephone number) |
Around Quebec City, Lower St. Lawrence, Gaspesie & North Shore areas |
1-800-463-3633 | www.quebectel.qc.ca/ (No ISDN information on website) |
| Sasktel | Saskatchewan | 306-777-3669 1-800-578-ISDN ("Facts By Fax" Service) |
www.sasktel.com/ |
| Telus (merged w/ BC Tel) | Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario | 1-877-310-6110 | www.telus.com/cgi-ebs/homepage.jsp |
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