British Telecom: Guilty

The following plea was sent by British Telecom to the British people.

British Telecom is asking customers to be patient - and to listen for the changes which are taking place as a result of its annual multi-million pound investment program.

Many people dislike change.  Others may feel changes are of questionable value.  A lot of money is being spent - but on what?

That old familiar sight, the red telephone box, is disappearing from view.  Some people see this as a change for the worse - yet the new tough, easy-clean booths, with clear telephone keypads make life a touch easier for thousands who would not or could not previously use a public telephone.

A few people even dislike having a push-button, digital phone in their home, instead of the old 'dial' variety - yet without the switch the vast potential of telecommunications technology could not be unleashed.

Questions are often raised about the high numbers of bright yellow vans spotted around the country, and the traffic problems they sometimes cause.  But British Telecom engineers often have to park at inconvenient points temporarily, simply to carry out installation and repair work.

British Telecom is working hard to improve service to its customers, and to offer the best possible value for money.  Most people will have heard about the network 'going digital,' and ultimately this will revolutionize the way we communicate.

However, until all the cables and equipment are in place to link up the entire country, the customer down the road may not fully appreciate the changes which are taking place.

Once the actual telephone exchange where your line is connected 'goes digital,' it can open up a whole new range of communications possibilities.  Under an optional package of Star Services, calls can be forwarded to another number anywhere in the country under automatic call diversion - invaluable, for example, for the one-man business which needs to stay in touch 24-hours-a-day.  A big advantage is that callers need only ring one number - wherever you happen to be.

All you need is an approved multi-frequency phone which plugs in to the usual socket.

Another option is a Three-Way Calling conference facility, where business meetings can be held down the telephone line.  It can also be used for family conferences.  Think of the savings on telephone bills!

Other developments will be useful to the non-business user.  Itemized billing is being progressively introduced, and another facility will enable you to ring a number and check immediately what a call has cost.

The all-talking, singing, dancing exchange is just around the corner, with everything geared towards helping the customer get the best possible use out of the phone.

The average digital exchange is capable of transmitting around 250 'messages,' from helping you to find out what a call has cost to sending a polite message to remind you to replace your handset.  If polite requests fail, it resorts to a Howler - a screech which will alert you even if you do happen to be at the bottom of the garden!

The inside of the exchange has been transformed, too.  The old, conventional switching equipment has been replaced by rows of blue and grey cabinets housing printed circuit boards.

One floor of equipment replaces what used to take up two floors, and the technology is getting more compact all the time.  The new equipment is cleaner, virtually maintenance free, and much quieter.

If a fault occurs, the card controlling that particular line is replaced with another, and the problem card is sent away for repair.

The size of the mainframe computer has also reduced, and the battery back-up units are clean and maintenance free.

It all heralds another world, but although the 'character' may have changed, the new hi-tech equipment is making everyone's life easier.

Some people may not want the complete new range of features offered by a fully digital system, but most will approve the changes which give them fast, clear communication, with fewer breakdowns and less maintenance needed.  That is where British Telecom is heading.

As the old saying goes - a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.  Hence, until every connection end to end of a telephone call is fully digital, you may not notice any difference in the clarity of the line.

Once it is all digital, calls will be connected in split seconds, and the line will be sharp and clear.

In the meantime, if you see a British Telecom engineer up a telephone pole or down a manhole - please remember he is trying to bring you the best possible service, wherever you may live.

Did you get the feeling that perhaps the public isn't too happy with old BT?  Of all the phone companies we've ever come across, these folks seem to have the guiltiest consciences.