TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: How would you then deal with 'phone
> patches', the little devices which allow VHF/UHF radios to link into
> the public phone network? Should they also be subject to the rules
> of the public switched telephone network? PAT]
I think you are barking up the wrong tree here Pat. Those little devices that do phone patches for amateur radio operators connect to telephones that are part of the public switched network. As such, the group operating the patch equipment pays the local exchange company for the monthly charges on the line. As the telephone lines are obtained from the local exchange company, or a competitor they are subject to all the rules and do provide ANI/ALI information to the PSAP.
The other point to remember is that phone patch equipment is normally operated (triggered) by a licensed radio operator who presumably would know the limitations of the connection.
Rodgers Platt
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You don't feel that Vonage also connects to the public switched network, and Vonage has to pay telco for the lines they use? PAT]