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Centralized Automatic Message Accounting System

01 November 1954

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One broad objective of the Bell System is to extend the customer's dialing range so that ultimately he will be able to dial his own calls to any telephone in the country in much the same way as he now dials local calls. Several steps toward this goal have already been taken. A revised fundamental plan 1 for automatic toll switching 2 has been adopted which involves among other things the use of a nationwide numbering plan 3 covering the United States and Canada. In accordance with this plan each customer will be given a distinctive 10-digit designation which will consist of a 3-digit regional or area code, a 3-digit central office code, and a 4-digit customer's number. In many parts of the country automatic toll switching systems 4 are now in use by operators who complete more than 40 per cent of all toll calls by dialing directly to the called telephone in distant cities. In order that customers may use these switching systems to dial their own toll calls, some automatic means for recording the necessary billing information on such calls must be provided. 1331