Features and Capabilities

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Your equipment controller supports the following features to complement your Centrex services:

Multiple line assignments, permitting more flexible call coverage. For example, the equipment controller automatically assigns all lines to the first phone connected to the equipment controller, to serve as a possible receptionist’s position. In addition, you have the option of assigning secondary lines at other phones, to provide Local Call Coverage, so that a person can answer calls on a line when the line’s primary user is absent or busy. The equipment controller also passes Centrex ringing patterns through to each phone (for example, to distinguish between outside and inside calls). When a line is assigned to an MLS- or MLC-model phone, the lights on the line button let you see the activity on the line.

Programmable buttons on MLS- and MLC-model phones, providing one-touch access to both Centrex and equipment features). You can access a feature simply by pressing the button.

Easy-to-use programming procedures, making it easy for you to manage your system. You can change line assignments, call coverage arrangements, or programmable buttons, quickly and easily. (The display on an MLS-34D or MLS-12D phone provides feedback during programming.)

Modular connections to the equipment controller, making it easy for you to reconfigure your system or to add extensions as your system grows.

Direct connections for industry-standard devices—including standard phones, fax machines, answering machines, modems, and credit card scanners.

Optional equipment features, including paging over a loudspeaker paging system or over MLS-model phone speakers, music on hold*, call detail recording (also known as Station Message Detail Recording, or SMDR), night service operation, speed dialing, line access restrictions, and many others.

Power failure operation with standard phones, allowing you to make and answer calls during a power failure while retaining programmed equipment settings for up to four days. (An optional Uninterruptible Power Supply, or UPS, is also available to allow full equipment operation during a power failure.)

If you use equipment that rebroadcasts music or other copyrighted materials, you may be required to obtain a license from a third party such as ASCAP or BMI. Or, you can purchase a Magic on Hold® device from AT&T that does not require you to obtain such a license.

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AT&T II manual Features and Capabilities, 6Overview

II specifications

AT&T II, a pivotal case in the landscape of telecommunications regulation, emerged from the expansive antitrust actions against the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). Following World War II, AT&T had established itself as a telecommunications behemoth, monopolizing the market. The ramifications of this dominance spurred a significant shift in regulatory measures, leading to the dissolution of the Bell System in 1984, which consisted of AT&T and its regional operating companies.

One key feature of AT&T II is its emphasis on promoting competition in the telecommunications sector. The court's decision aimed to dismantle the monopolistic practices that had stifled innovation and restricted consumer choice. By encouraging competition among various service providers, the ruling paved the way for an environment where new technologies could flourish.

The technologies that emerged post-AT&T II significantly transformed the telecommunications landscape. The introduction of new digital switching systems allowed for improved call quality and increased network efficiency. The evolution of fiber-optic technology also played a crucial role, enabling faster transmission speeds and greater data capacity. Moreover, innovative services, such as mobile telephony and broadband internet, proliferated as competition increased.

Another characteristic of AT&T II is its focus on accessibility and consumer protection. The ruling mandated that telecommunications services be available to a broader swath of the population, ensuring that underserved communities had access to essential communication services. This shift not only democratized access but also laid the groundwork for the modern internet revolution, fostering the growth of the digital economy.

The impact of AT&T II can also be seen in the regulatory frameworks that followed. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted policies aimed at enhancing market transparency and ensuring fair practices among competitors. These regulatory changes helped to create a more equitable playing field, allowing smaller companies to compete against established giants.

In summary, AT&T II marked a turning point in telecommunications history, characterized by a focus on competition, technological advancements, and consumer protection. The dissolution of AT&T's monopoly allowed for the rapid evolution of technology and services, ultimately benefiting consumers and fostering an environment ripe for innovation. This ruling not only redefined the telecommunications industry but also set a precedent for how markets are regulated in the United States.