Busy line interrupt: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:50, 14 November 2010

Revision as of 05:24, 1 August 2011

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Much like [[long distance calling]] before the late 90s, busy line interrupt is a service provided, for instance, to allow people to contact a family member in the event of an emergency if the receiving party's line is busy and the news cannot wait.

The service is not free. It is usually about $3500 per use<ref>[http://www.coxbusiness.com/products/voice/basicpricing/clevelandpricing.html Cox Cleveland Pricing]</ref> and is charged whether or not the calling party can reach the person on the other end (as the phone just might be off the hook for privacy reasons or the line might be connected to the [[internet]]). For this reason, it is usually only used in cases of emergencies as noted above.

In the early 1990s, reports were surfacing that "[[phone phreak]]ers" were having success in manipulating the line interruption function with signaling tones and equipment that emulated the telephone operator's. It was claimed to be possible to eavesdrop on any engaged telephone line by number.