Senior Citizen Calling Tips

The AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, ( http://www.aarp.org/ ) conducted a survey in 2000 entitled, “Consumer Understanding of pricing Practices and Savings Opportunities in Long Distance Telephone Industry.” This report was an update of an earlier survey conducted in 1998. As the title implies, the survey examines the pricing issues surrounding long distance calling plans in the market and the public’s awareness, with a particular focus on people over 50, of these types of savings plans. Only one-quarter of those interviewed 65 and older, looked for long distance calling plans that would save them money. More alarming was the fact that only a little more than 40% knew that the best rate was not the standard rate. To read the complete report, click here. ( http://research.aarp.org/consume/d17192_longdis.pdf )

Since deregulation, there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of calling plans available in the market today. This has been a windfall for consumers but unfortunately all of the various plans and options can become very confusing for most consumers – particularly our elderly who grew up during the AT&T only reign. Please read on if you or one of your family members fall into this category. We offer these tips to help cut through some of the confusion and ease the burden (pain) of selecting a calling plan that will save them considerable sums over time.

• Telemarketing Issues:

Telemarketers and receiving spam email are one in the same, as far as I am concerned. With unwanted email you can hit the delete key; with telemarketers simply hang up. Besides, selecting a calling plan should be done with full knowledge and disclosure and reading the fine print. You cannot do that over the phone and you can rest assured that the telemarketer is not going to be terrible forthcoming. As the drug commercials say, just say no – then hang up.

• Peak versus Off-Peak Rates:

You need to look for a calling plan that delivers the same low price, any time and all of the time. Although there are numerous plans out there that offer different rates for different times and weekends, they have the tendency to mystify and bewilder mere mortals such as you and me.

• First Steps:

Start with people you know and trust; family members, close neighbors and business associates if appropriate. Ask who they use and why; what their rates are and if there are any limitations. Check with them on whether there are monthly fees and minimums with their calling plan and most important, whether they are satisfied with their service and would recommend their carrier to others. Answers to these types of questions will get you pointed in the right direction at least. Also, if you hear the same company recommended by more than one friend then you need to look into their plans first.

• Primary Considerations:

Unfortunately, getting the right calling plan requires a little work on your part. You need to study your telephone calling behavior, check for patterns, times, particular cities that you call more frequently and so forth. Do you make most of your calls locally, within the State or State-to-State? Are you a large consumer of International calls? Once you understand your personal calling habits and patterns you can begin to focus your attention on which carrier will best meet those need and meet your expectations with the most competitive price. Match your calling pattern with the recommendations you received from others in the first step above. Is there a good fit? If so, pursue them further.

• Monthly Fees:

There are many calling plans available in the marketplace that does not force you to pay a monthly fee. Avoid monthly fees if at all possible. Even more so if you do not make many calls. One more word of caution, do not buy in to the hype about low state-to-state rates because in some cases, lurking in the fine print may be a monthly fee. It’s like spotting an attractive lady across a dimly lit room, once the makeup and wig comes off you discover the true ugliness lurking beneath.

• Leasing versus Owning the Phone:

There is no reason today to lease a telephone from your local carrier. Check your telephone bill and see if there is a line item for leased equipment. If there is, head down to your local retailer that sells telephones and pick up a phone that suits your needs. Chances are you will be able to purchase a telephone with more features and at a cost that will save you a tidy sum every year. There are many retailers that sell phones for well under $100 with some below $50. There are many telephone carriers that charge leasing fees up to $20.00 per month or $240 per year. Today that is just a waste of money.

• Cramming:

Get into the habit of reviewing your telephone bill every month. Although reputable telephone carriers do not indulge in the spurious practice of cramming, they do occasionally make a mistake. Cramming is the practice of placing additional charges for goods and services on your telephone bill that you did not authorize or purchase. It is illegal. In the case of a mistakes or suspected cramming, you need to contact the company and ask them, politely initially, to explain the charges. If you didn’t authorize the purchase then ask your carrier to remove it from your bill. If they fail to remove the charge from your bill, and you feel that the charge is wrong, then contact your local office of

Public Utilities or go to the FCC web site and file a complaint.

• Added Features:

There are many fine features that can be added to your telephone service to enhance its functions and permit a broader range of useful information. But if you are like me, and could care less about the fancy bells and whistles, remove those services that you really don’t need or want. Unfortunately, there are many seniors that are sold a package of goods and services when they sign up for a new service or when telemarketers call with the latest gizmo. If you don’t need it, don’t get it. If you have it and don’t use it, remove it. All of these little “extras” increase your bill and could be a waste of money.

• Saving on Calling Plans with Fixed or Low Income:

The Federal Government is committed to providing telephone service to all Americans. The Federal Universal Service Fund includes the low-income program; which provides discounts on telephone installation and basic monthly service to qualifying consumers. There are two components to the low income program, Lifeline Assistance (“Lifeline”) and Link-Up America (“Link-Up”). Lifeline and Link-Up are available to all qualifying low-income consumers nationwide. The FCC’s enhanced Lifeline and Link-UP programs, however, which offer additional discounts, are available only for qualifying consumers living on Tribal Lands. Check with your local provider and ask about these programs in order to earn discounts on the basic telephone service. For more information about these low income programs click here. ( http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.pdf )

• Changing Long Distance Carriers too Much Trouble:

Many people feel that switching carriers is just too much trouble and a bit too confusing. They are probably right. But in any event, if you decide to keep your existing carrier then at least check with them to make sure you are getting the best value for your money and the cheapest rates they offer. Do some of the other tips we suggest here, such as getting rid of leased equipment and extra features and you will be able to trim your bill substantially.

Undiscovered Tactics Of An Injury Claim

Don't you just hate it when your phones constantly ringing with telesales staff asking if you have an injury claim? Teams of 2 to 3 people roaming the streets, smartly dressed and groomed, with black leather folders limping in their arm... these college leavers will knock on your door!

What is it they're selling? Is it insurance, electricity, gas, telecommunication services? Or is another company patrolling your area 'informing' people, they can claim injury for an accident, which wasn't their fault?

An insight in to the history of personal injury claims

It didn't exist a decade ago… well not to the likes of people being injured. You have an accident and nobody really cared besides the obvious family and friends. 'Take some medicine' or 'have some rest'. Even if you end up in hospital or the doctors surgery... 'just takes these and you'll be fit as a bear in a couple of weeks'. And that's it! Nothing dramatic ever happened.

Today's Generation

There's advertisements everywhere you turn, billboards, newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. Someone knows someone who has a personal injury firm or a brother knows a mate, even 'my chick's brother has a firm'. So dramatic and competitive people fall for their tricks. Remember before, nobody's interested, but now they’re your best friends. 'Don't worry, we’ll sort it out'.

Now, If your mates firm messed up your case, what can you possibly do? Report him to his superiors? It's probably his partner's firm. Your brother-in-law has taken your case and now can't find the essential paper work. You'll ring the company and want to speak to the consultant who took on your claim? Is he/she still working there? You want an update, but all you get is 'we're stilling waiting for your medical report' or 'your file has been transferred to another department, I'll just find out?'

Complications after complications...

Remember in the early years, the slogan 'no win no fee'? 'If we lose you don't pay anything?' You sign a couple of pages and sorted, your injury claim is up and running. Brilliant.

Now after months have gone by, you hear nothing. 3 months later, you call to hear what status your claim has reached. 'Your file's up and running and you should be attending a medical specialist soon.'

6 months go by finally your medical arrives. 4 months later you receive a cheque of £400 and eyes the size of golf balls?! What the hell is going on???

Frustrated with the settlement cheque, you ring the company for questioning. They pull out your file and take you through the charges and how they reached a final settlement. 'But, you... 'Yes, it's all in black and white and you signed it!' But guess what, you're too late, and now you'll learn from that mistake...

Now For The New Trick…

100% Compensation! Yes, you get all of your compensation. Amazing, finally a dream come true...

What does it mean?

Once your claim is settled, you will receive the 'full' compensation money, without deductions. Now this is the clever bit... the specialist will payout 100% Compensation, but that does not mean the claim management company will not!

At the end of the claim, the management company (owned by your mates friend) will charge you a kick back after you have received your 100% Compensation. Effectively, you receive 100% Compensation, but once you received it, the claim management company will now take out their fees. Smart eh???

You still, by law, got 100% Compensation from the specialist. Which is what they claimed, however, the deductions kick in afterwards.

You've taken enough beating as it is. It's time to be smart! Beware of the 100% Compensation slogans flying around. How do you avoid them?

VoIP and the Communications Industry

Are you worried about the costly long distance phone rates? Do you want to find some ways on how to call your loved ones in a cheap way? Are you a student who finds it hard to make a call with your parents? Is your company paying too much for long distance call? Have you heard how VoIP contributes in communication business? The waiting is over, VoIP is the answer.

VoIP can eliminate all those expensive long distance rates. To further discuss, VoIP is the newest and most advanced audio communications technology.

VoIP stands for Voice over internet protocol. This latest communication innovation which has a variety of different applications and features in order to give a clear and affordable conversation all over the world.

How does VoIP work?

Many people are quite amazed on how VoIP works. Well, its features work on a revolutionary technology. It has a communication method that streamlines the sending analog audio signal. The signal is converted into a sound to be sent digitally over transmission lines through the internet.

According to the service providers of VoIP, by using this technology the user can have free “by minute charges”. That is one of the great things about VoIP plans.

If the “by minute charges” is consumed, the user will have to pay the monthly fee and make all the calls they want over the computer.

The VoIP procedure is very simple but an elegant and simplistic way of communication. It can be the greatest solution for long distance call problems that everyone is waiting for.

The VoIP works on several ways, in communication, like circuit transmitting, data pocket exchanging and retrieval of information by using the computer.

This communication system can also send the information by finding the open channels that are available rather than out-and-out lines. The information transmitted simply assembled at the source location. Comparatively VoIP works more efficient.

In order to be aware of how VoIP works, it is first important to know the basic concept of traditional analog audio communication. The analog audio communication can be very helpful in terms of VoIP communication.

The basic analog phone calls are actually made on the fiber optic communication network. These networks can make a voice communication by collecting voices communications. The voices are delivered directly to the destination, while the signals are also converted to analog.

VoIP can assure a cheap or even free telephone call for the users. For some companies, it also means generating income. This is good news for the companies who want to cut some of their expenses. Most of the companies spend thousands of dollars per year just because of long distance calls alone.

Now, if the company would like to have far-reaching consultation call, VoIP can make more sense when it comes to that issue. It can also combine conference options like sharing of documents and multiple conversations.

According to some statistics, most of the companies that patronize VoIP has earned 80 percent of its revenues compared to other telecommunication that only gives 55 percent.

The great shift of VoIP is starting to hit top rating national telecommunication industry and international mobile corporations.

As a conclusion, VoIP is indeed a very interesting breakthrough when it comes to communications. It is the most well-organized, accurate, efficient, and much less expensive way of talking to the people you need to communicate to. Why not try VoIP? It can be the answer to all of those communication hindrances.

Senior Citizen Calling Tips

The AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, ( http://www.aarp.org/ ) conducted a survey in 2000 entitled, “Consumer Understanding of pricing Practices and Savings Opportunities in Long Distance Telephone Industry.” This report was an update of an earlier survey conducted in 1998. As the title implies, the survey examines the pricing issues surrounding long distance calling plans in the market and the public’s awareness, with a particular focus on people over 50, of these types of savings plans. Only one-quarter of those interviewed 65 and older, looked for long distance calling plans that would save them money. More alarming was the fact that only a little more than 40% knew that the best rate was not the standard rate. To read the complete report, click here. ( http://research.aarp.org/consume/d17192_longdis.pdf )

Since deregulation, there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of calling plans available in the market today. This has been a windfall for consumers but unfortunately all of the various plans and options can become very confusing for most consumers – particularly our elderly who grew up during the AT&T only reign. Please read on if you or one of your family members fall into this category. We offer these tips to help cut through some of the confusion and ease the burden (pain) of selecting a calling plan that will save them considerable sums over time.

• Telemarketing Issues:

Telemarketers and receiving spam email are one in the same, as far as I am concerned. With unwanted email you can hit the delete key; with telemarketers simply hang up. Besides, selecting a calling plan should be done with full knowledge and disclosure and reading the fine print. You cannot do that over the phone and you can rest assured that the telemarketer is not going to be terrible forthcoming. As the drug commercials say, just say no – then hang up.

• Peak versus Off-Peak Rates:

You need to look for a calling plan that delivers the same low price, any time and all of the time. Although there are numerous plans out there that offer different rates for different times and weekends, they have the tendency to mystify and bewilder mere mortals such as you and me.

• First Steps:

Start with people you know and trust; family members, close neighbors and business associates if appropriate. Ask who they use and why; what their rates are and if there are any limitations. Check with them on whether there are monthly fees and minimums with their calling plan and most important, whether they are satisfied with their service and would recommend their carrier to others. Answers to these types of questions will get you pointed in the right direction at least. Also, if you hear the same company recommended by more than one friend then you need to look into their plans first.

• Primary Considerations:

Unfortunately, getting the right calling plan requires a little work on your part. You need to study your telephone calling behavior, check for patterns, times, particular cities that you call more frequently and so forth. Do you make most of your calls locally, within the State or State-to-State? Are you a large consumer of International calls? Once you understand your personal calling habits and patterns you can begin to focus your attention on which carrier will best meet those need and meet your expectations with the most competitive price. Match your calling pattern with the recommendations you received from others in the first step above. Is there a good fit? If so, pursue them further.

• Monthly Fees:

There are many calling plans available in the marketplace that does not force you to pay a monthly fee. Avoid monthly fees if at all possible. Even more so if you do not make many calls. One more word of caution, do not buy in to the hype about low state-to-state rates because in some cases, lurking in the fine print may be a monthly fee. It’s like spotting an attractive lady across a dimly lit room, once the makeup and wig comes off you discover the true ugliness lurking beneath.

• Leasing versus Owning the Phone:

There is no reason today to lease a telephone from your local carrier. Check your telephone bill and see if there is a line item for leased equipment. If there is, head down to your local retailer that sells telephones and pick up a phone that suits your needs. Chances are you will be able to purchase a telephone with more features and at a cost that will save you a tidy sum every year. There are many retailers that sell phones for well under $100 with some below $50. There are many telephone carriers that charge leasing fees up to $20.00 per month or $240 per year. Today that is just a waste of money.

• Cramming:

Get into the habit of reviewing your telephone bill every month. Although reputable telephone carriers do not indulge in the spurious practice of cramming, they do occasionally make a mistake. Cramming is the practice of placing additional charges for goods and services on your telephone bill that you did not authorize or purchase. It is illegal. In the case of a mistakes or suspected cramming, you need to contact the company and ask them, politely initially, to explain the charges. If you didn’t authorize the purchase then ask your carrier to remove it from your bill. If they fail to remove the charge from your bill, and you feel that the charge is wrong, then contact your local office of

Public Utilities or go to the FCC web site and file a complaint.

• Added Features:

There are many fine features that can be added to your telephone service to enhance its functions and permit a broader range of useful information. But if you are like me, and could care less about the fancy bells and whistles, remove those services that you really don’t need or want. Unfortunately, there are many seniors that are sold a package of goods and services when they sign up for a new service or when telemarketers call with the latest gizmo. If you don’t need it, don’t get it. If you have it and don’t use it, remove it. All of these little “extras” increase your bill and could be a waste of money.

• Saving on Calling Plans with Fixed or Low Income:

The Federal Government is committed to providing telephone service to all Americans. The Federal Universal Service Fund includes the low-income program; which provides discounts on telephone installation and basic monthly service to qualifying consumers. There are two components to the low income program, Lifeline Assistance (“Lifeline”) and Link-Up America (“Link-Up”). Lifeline and Link-Up are available to all qualifying low-income consumers nationwide. The FCC’s enhanced Lifeline and Link-UP programs, however, which offer additional discounts, are available only for qualifying consumers living on Tribal Lands. Check with your local provider and ask about these programs in order to earn discounts on the basic telephone service. For more information about these low income programs click here. ( http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.pdf )

• Changing Long Distance Carriers too Much Trouble:

Many people feel that switching carriers is just too much trouble and a bit too confusing. They are probably right. But in any event, if you decide to keep your existing carrier then at least check with them to make sure you are getting the best value for your money and the cheapest rates they offer. Do some of the other tips we suggest here, such as getting rid of leased equipment and extra features and you will be able to trim your bill substantially.

Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging – Expressway for Identity Theft, Trojan Horses, Viruses, and Worms

Never before with Instant Messaging (IM) has a more vital warning been needed for current and potential IM buddies who chat on line.

John Sakoda of IMlogic CTO and Vice President of Products stated that,

"IM viruses and worms are growing exponentially….Virus writers are now shifting the focus of their attack to instant messaging, which is seen as a largely unprotected channel into the enterprise."

Because Instant Messaging operates on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, it spawns an irresistible temptation for malicious computer hackers. P2P networks share files and operate on industry standard codec (encyrption codes) and industry standard protocols, which are publicly open and interpretable. Anti virus software does not incorporate protection for Instant Messaging services.

Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, these hacker mercenaries view Instant Messaging clients as their personal “Cash Cow” because of the ease by which they can access your computer via the publicly open and interpretable standards, unleash a Trojan horse, virus, or worm, as well as gather your personal and confidential information, and sell it to other depraved reprobates.

Please, don’t be naïve enough to think it won’t or couldn’t happen to you!

Want to see how easy it is for hackers to access your Instant Messaging chat and what can happen to you as a result?

Did you know that some hacker-friendly providers offer processor chips that can be bought on the Internet? (I guess it would be pretty hard to walk into a store and ask the clerk to help them find a processor chip that could be used to illegally hack into a victim’s computer for the sole purpose of spreading malicious code or stealing someone’s identity!)

Did you know that hacker-friendly providers actually offer hacker software that enables these criminals to deliberately disable security on computers, access your personal and confidential information, as well as inject their Trojan horses, viruses, and worms?

Hacker manuals are also conveniently accessible via the Internet. One of these manuals shows how to DoS other sites. DoSing (Disruption of Service) involves gaining unauthorized access to the “command prompt” on your computer and using it to tie up your vital Internet services. When a hacker invades your system, they can then delete or create files and emails, modify security features, and plant viruses or time bombs onto your computer.

“Sniff” is a tool (originally intended to help telecommunication professionals detect and solve problems) that reprobate hackers use to tamper with the protocol and “sniff out” data. When hackers sniff out your IM data packet from Internet traffic, they reconstruct it to intercept conversations. This enables them to eavesdrop on conversations, gather information, and sell it to other depraved criminal entities.

Don’t set yourself up to be the next Identity Theft Victim because you like to chat using Instant Messaging.

Identity theft is one of the most sinister of vulnerabilities you can inadvertently be subjected to. Identity theft is defined by the Department of Justice as

“…the wrongful obtaining and using of someone else’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.”

Identity theft is the by-product of hacker mercenaries obtaining your social security number (including those of your spouse and children), your bank account, your credit card information, etc., from the Internet. You become a virtual “Cash Cow” for hackers as your information is then sold to other felons for financial gain. Using your information, these criminals then:

• access your bank account funds
• create new bank accounts with your information
• create driver’s licenses
• create passports

Attorney General Ashcroft stated that,

"Identity theft carries a heavy price, both in the damage to individuals whose identities are stolen and the enormous cost to America's businesses.”

A group hosting a website known as shadowcrew.com was indicted on conspiracy charges for stealing credit card numbers and identity documents, then selling them online. While this group allegedly trafficked $1.7 million in stolen credit card numbers, they also caused losses in excess of $4 million.

According to a Press Release issued by the Department of Justice on February 28, 2005, a hacker was convicted of several counts of fraud, one in which

“…he fraudulently possessed more than 15 computer usernames and passwords belonging to other persons for the purpose of accessing their bank and financial services accounts, opening online bank accounts in the names of those persons, and transferring funds to unauthorized accounts.”

Trojan Horses, Viruses, and Worms – The Toxic Trio

According to Dictionary.com, a Trojan horse is “…a subversive group that supports the enemy and engages in espionage or sabotage---an enemy in your midst.” The toxic cargo of Trojan horses can include viruses or worms.

A Trojan horse is a program that Internet criminals use to interrupt and interfere with your security software and produce the following results

• Terminates processes
• Removes registry entries
• Stops services
• Deletes files

Hackers, who have gained access to your computer, because of the easily accessible programs and software as mentioned above, are enthusiastically incorporating this venomous little program into their arsenal of weapons.

As recently as March 4, 2005, a new Trojan horse was discovered that modified settings in Internet Explorer. Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP were the reported systems that could be affected.

On January 28, 2005, a press Release issued by the Department of Justice reported that a 19 year old was convicted for his criminal activity by “…creating and unleashing a variant of the MS Blaster computer worm.” Christopher Wray, Attorney General – Criminal Division stated that,

"This … malicious attack on the information superhighway caused an economic and technological disruption that was felt around the world.”

By the way, “malicious” is defined by Webster as “…intentionally mischievous or harmful”.

On February 11, 2005, in a Press Release issued by the Department of Justice, reported that another criminal was sentenced for circulating a worm. This worm,

“…directed the infected computers to launch a distributed denial of service (DOS) attack against Microsoft's main web site causing the site to shutdown and thus became inaccessible to the public for approximately four hours.” March 7, 2005, Symantec.com posted discovery of a worm named “W32.Serflog.B” that spread through file-sharing networks and MSN Messenger – networks that operate on publicly open and interpretable industry standards administered by P2P systems that host Instant Messaging clients—none of which are protected, regardless of the anti virus software on your computer. The W32.Serflog.B worm also lowers security settings and appears as a blank message window on the MSN Messenger.

SOLUTION

Avoid at all costs, P2P file sharing networks as they operate on publicly open and interpretable industry standards. (Instant Messaging services run on P2P file sharing networks.)

If you like the convenience of text chatting via Instant Messaging, then why not consider an optimally secure VoIP (voice over internet protocol), also known as a Computer Phone, that incorporates the Instant Messaging feature. Make sure the VoIP internet service provider does not operate on P2P file sharing networks that use industry standard codec or industry standard protocols that are publicly open and accessible. (Don’t forget, these standards create the vulnerability which hackers are capitalizing on because of their easy accessibility.)

Optimally secure VoIP service providers that incorporate a secure Instant Messaging feature, operate from their own proprietary high end encryption codec on patented technology which is hosted in a professional facility. Simply put, when a VoIP internet service provider is optimally secure, the Instant Messaging feature on the VoIP softphone is also incorporated in their optimally secure technology.

Here’s the bottom line.

If you are currently using Instant Messaging of any sort, you need to make a decision:

1. Continue enticing hacker mercenaries and remain as a user of an Instant Messaging service, or
2. Take immediate corrective action.

If you decide to take immediate corrective action:

1. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution provider that includes the Instant Messaging feature in their proprietary patented technology.
2. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution provider that has their own proprietary high end encryption codec.
3. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution provider that has their own proprietary patented technology.
4. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution provider that hosts their proprietary patented technology in a professional facility.

Here’s a place you can look over to see what an optimally secure VoIP internet solution provider looks like--one that operates on their own proprietary high end encryption codec with their own proprietary patented technology hosted in a professional facility, AND one that incorporates the Instant Messaging feature.

The Demise of the Dinosaur PTTs

Telecommunications is the most important physical infrastructure in the modern world. It is more important than roads because it can replace them. It is more important than office buildings because it allows for the formation of virtual offices. It is more crucial than legal and institutional systems because it surpasses national borders and undermines and subverts fossilized political structures.

Telecommunications eliminates distance and allows for the transfer of voice and other forms of information (data) virtually at the speed of light. It is the foundation for the future industries and the industries of the future: information, knowledge and intelligent data processing industries.

Telecommunications today is not limited to handsets, phone lines and telephony equipment. It incorporates computers and other media technologies. All these are an integral part of the new age of telecoms.

Telecommunications was partly responsible to the geopolitical sea changes of the last decade. It is enough to recall the role of satellite telephones in the media coverage of the televised Gulf War - or the anti Ceaucesco revolution in Romania.

These are precisely the reasons why regimes all over the world - in other words, politicians - strove to maintain unmitigated control of the PTT services in their countries and to block foreign and domestic competition. National telecommunication service providers and carriers became monopolistic monsters, operating highly inefficiently, charging exorbitant prices, employing far too many people at unreasonably high salaries and serving to boost the political fortunes of ministers and the like.

But all this is changing. The new World Trade Organization (WTO) set of agreements will force governments throughout the world to privatize their telecoms giants and to deregulate this industry. The deadline is 2003 with a few exceptions (Latvia has until 2013 to do so). There is a new realizations that telecommunications is too important an industry to be left to the devices of politicians - or to the flawed management of state organs.

A few privatization models have evolved over the last 20 years, or so.

In the more developed countries (the West, South East Asia), some countries have chosen to introduce free for all competition. This entails the sale of part or all of the state owned telecoms provider to shareholders through stock exchanges. A small part is usually also allocated to the workers and management of the company at favourable prices. Concurrently the industry is deregulated and licensing requirements are gradually abolished.

Initially, in this model, only certain services are open to competition, mainly the international calls segment and the mobile and wireless telephony (including paging).

But, ultimately, all types of services are opened to competition - both domestic or foreign.

The most extreme example is Finland, where competition is completely free, no licensing is required and 52 companies compete for the heart (and pocket) of the customers. They are all allowed to offer any kind of telecommunications service imaginable.

Still, very much the same situation is developing in Israel, Britain, Australia, Hong Kong and - with the 1996 Telecommunications Act - in the USA. This 1996 Act allows providers and carriers of international phone calls and of local phone calls (until now separated by regulation) to enter each other markets and compete. The result was a major spate of mergers and acquisitions as companies scrambled to offer combined, international and local, services.

The second alternative is to break up the national carriers into functional units, one dedicated to international calls and the other to local traffic. NTT in Japan is undergoing this surgical restructuring now. In the wake of this break-up, competition is allowed in certain services (again, mainly international calls and GSM and mobile telephony).

The other - less efficient - option is to sell minority stakes in the national carrier to investors (domestic or foreign), or, through the stock exchanges - while effectively preserving the monopoly of state owned provider. This was the case in Israel, until lately and is the case in Greece. In Israel, when the British Cables and wireless tried to gain control of Bezeq (the Israeli phone services provider) - it encountered the staunch opposition of the Israeli government, replete with threats of legal action.

Still, the benefits of privatization are enormous.

Prices drop. That is the most evident and immediately visible effect. The prices charged for international phone calls in Israel dropped by 80% in real terms with the introduction of two additional competitors. In Britain, prices went down by 25%.

There is a leap forward in the quality of service: waiting periods for new installations, second and third phone numbers, business dedicated lines, maintenance, fixing problems, times between faults, troubleshooting, hotlines, meter reading, detailed and allocated accounts and so on. The average wait for a new phone has been reduced in Israel and in Hungary, to take two notable examples, from months to days.

Naturally, overall economic efficiency is improved by cost savings and by more productive allocation of time previously spent on tackling bureaucratic hassles.

Last, but by no means least, is the marked improvement in technology, its upgrading and the introduction of novel, low cost alternatives.

In the less developed and developing countries, privatization has been achieved mainly through the introduction of foreign strategic partners - usually other telecoms firms from more developed countries. This necessitates the temporary preservation of the monopolies. No profit minded foreign investor will invest in infrastructure - and let future competitors reap the benefits. An investor wants to be assured that he will continue to rule the market and overcharge the customers for a proscribed period of time. Foreign investors like monopoly situations because this way they have a captive market and thus they can force their clients to defray their development costs through overcharging. But, this can be seen as the cost of modernization and integration into regional and global telecoms alliances. Once competition is allowed, everyone (especially the clients) will reap the benefits of modern information highways.

To my mind this thinking is flawed. The direct and indirect damages incurred by monopolies are immeasurable. Monopolies must be dismantled - and the sooner, the better. The transfer of part of a monopoly from domestic to foreign hands does not alter its economically cancerous nature. Monopolies are guilty of over or under optimal investments, of overcharging clients, of distorting the allocation of economic resources, of market rigging, corruption and other criminal activities, of providing poor service, of selecting the wrong technologies. Only the threat of competition - actual and fierce - can change all that. Even so, long after competition is introduced, monopolies seem to continue to control their markets. British Telecom still controls 72% of its markets - despite more than a decade of competition.

Despite these considerations - and due to rampant corruption and cronyism - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Yugoslavia-Serbia, Estonia, Latvia and Russia chose this path. Bulgaria and Romania will follow them next year and it seems that Macedonia might follow suit, more out of lack of choice of alternatives - than out of careful selection of them.

The other way is by selling shares to investors in the stock exchanges - local and foreign. Poland has adopted this path after years of foot-ragging. It will sell shares of its carriers early next year. This, however, is not a solution available to small countries with an undeveloped stock exchange and low liquidity. To float the local PTT in the Macedonian Stock Exchange would be absurd. Even to attract domestic capital in sufficient quantity would be unthinkable.

Some countries avoid privatization altogether. They regard the fix of privatization as a fad, or a passing craze (which, in its more extreme forms, it is). They declare the telecommunications sector to be a matter of national strategic importance (again, to a very limited extent, it is). Slovakia has introduced a law in 1995 to actively prohibit the privatization of its PTT.

But experience disproves the Slovak stance. Admittedly, privatization does have its unpleasant side effects: redundant workers are fired by the thousands and unemployment goes up, for instance. Another result, cutely felt by every potential voter, is the radical increase in the price of local phone calls which used to be subsidized by the outlandish charges imposed on international calls. Once cross - subsidization ceases and more realistic pricing is introduced - prices shoot up.

But the price of all other services drop as sharply and there is a dramatic improvement in the quality and speed of the services provided.

The technological aspect is not to be sneered at, either.

The current infrastructure is insufficient in all Central and East European countries. It is partly incompatible with European Union standards and networks. The existing backbones will, of course, still be used but they will be gradually replaced by fibre optics and digital switchboards.

Technologies like cable TV and broadcasting networks, satellites and above all, wireless and GSM networks will serve to bridge the capacity and compatibility gaps and deficiencies. They will also reduce the dependence of new market entrants on the infrastructure and services provided by local PTTs - and this is good news.

Fax Machines telecommunication

Fax Machines Guide-Some guidelines about Fax Machines

A telecommunication tool that sends and receives documents or graphics via telephone lines is known as ‘fax machine’. Fax machine is basically a package of image scanner, a modem and a computer printer. Scanner is used to convert the content of physical documents into digital image whereas modem sends image data via phone line and printer is used to make a duplicate of original document.

Sometimes fax machines are used to scan documents into a computer and to take a print of documents from computer. Fax machines converts a picture into zeros and ones format so that data can be easily transmitted like normal computer data while on the other side it reads the data and translates zeros and ones back into dots and reprints the picture.

Fax machines are affordable and easy to use devices. Fax machines transmit data at speed from 4,800 bps to 28,800 bps. Fax machines with a speed of 9,600 bps transmit one page within 10-20 seconds. Several fax machines use thermal printer that needs special paper to print the best pictures. Thermal paper mostly comes in two sizes such as 8.5 inches wide and 10.1 inches wide.

Some fax machines come with vast variety of dialing features. It enables you to set a program to send a document at future time. Another important feature of fax machine is that you can send multi page document without feeding each and every page manually in the machine.

Latest fax machines are a bit faster than the old ones. You should determine quality, price and other important features at the time of purchasing a fax machine. You can select ‘fax modem’ in case you want to send faxes but not receive them. Choice of fax machines depends on your requirements.