'An Introduction to Telus' Terminating Test Lines' < Written by: The Clone < Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2001 (Updated: Thursday, November 8, 2001) -- InDEX; * Disclaimer * Definition * Introduction * Default Prefixes * Additional Terminating Test Lines * Other Test Numbers * Conclusion * Credit * Contact Information * Shout-Outs -- Disclaimer: The content within this file is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Unauthorized access of the test systems spoken about in this file may get you in trouble with local and/or national law enforcement. By reading this, you agree not to try any of this. Definition: "Test numbers are dialups to testing equipment or test features set up by the phone company or private entities." Introduction: Back in early 1999 when the 403/780 area code split went on, Telus decided to set up a series of test numbers called "Alberta Terminating Test Lines" in the 403 and 780 area codes. Since the split affected millions of landline/cellular customers, Telus thought that permissive phone numbers would be the best way to keep the information flowing between employees. Alberta Terminating Test Lines gave Telus tech's the ability to call up a private number and leave detailed messages regarding any technical issues (problems) that may have arised with 780 to 403 (and 403 to 780) long distance call routing. To this day, Telus still uses Terminating Test Lines as a way for local and long- distance carriers to communicate. By dialing up the specific number, you will be greeted by an automated female voice; "You have reached an Alberta 780 Terminating Test Line", followed by an Octel system voice telling you that you either have messages waiting (which it then plays it for you), or it'll tell you: "No messages are waiting. Please try again later. Thank you. Good-bye." Default Prefixes: These prefixes are in the 780 area code only. If you have a list of Alberta Terminating Test Line prefixes the in 403 area code, please pass them on and I'll add them to this particular listing. More prefixes are being added as more Terminating Test Line numbers are discovered. Prefixes; ` 423-XXXX ` 425-XXXX ` 428-XXXX ` 429-XXXX ` 455-XXXX ` 459-XXXX -- Additional Terminating Test Lines: British Columbia; (604/778), Overlay: NPA 778 introduced for service on 11/03/01. ` 778-510-XXXX (Call-Net Communications, Southwestern B.C.) ` 778-610-XXXX (Telus, Southwestern B.C.) ` 778-810-XXXX (AT&T Canada, Southwestern B.C.) ` Ontario: (905/289), Overlay: NPA 289 introduced for service on 06/09/01. ` 289-210-8378 (Bell Canada, Southern Ont.) ` 289-510-8378 (Call-Net, Southern Ont.) ` 289-810-8378 (AT&T Canada, Southern Ont.) Other Test Numbers: [Taken from "ALT.PHREAKING FAQ 1.41", http://members.tripod.com/~SeusslyOne] 1004 hz test tone - This is a vanilla 1004 hz tone. Nothing too useful here, without a loop analyser anyway. ANAC - This test dial up will read off the number of the line you’re calling from. On rare occasions you will find ANACs with a DTMF response for use with remote test terminals. DATUs - DATUs (Digital Audio Test Units) are a godsend to technicians and phone phreaks everywhere. DATUs allow a caller to monitor lines (don't get too excited), open and short pairs, and put trace tones on the pair. While it might not sound too exciting, it has more applications than most people think. Loops - These numbers exist in linked pairs. Call one number and you’ll get a tone. Call the other number and you get dead silence. If both are called at the same time they make a connection. It used to be that you could then talk over this connection, but now there are filters that block speech placed on most loops. Ringback - Calls back the originating number in an annoying fashion. Dialing all the touch-tone digits in order (starting with 1 and ending in # going across the keypad rows) will generate 2 tones saying the keypad is ok. Milliwatt test - These are 1004 hz tones sent out at 0 db. Milliwatt tests are used to check for line loss and other complex tests. Sweep Tones - Tone sweeps are a test tone ranging from 304hz to 3204hz. A common use for sweep tones is to check for infinity-transmitter style taps. Dial up a sweep tone. If an audible clicking is heard during the sweep then a transmitter could be installed on your line. Telco maintenance uses sweep tones to check for the presence of loading coils, and other such nasties that eat high frequency tones in order to qualify a line for high speed services. Quiet termination - This feature connects the caller to a port with fixed resistance, 600 ohms or 900 ohms being the most common. There should be nothing but dead silence on connection. Clicks, static or crosstalk will be clearly evident if a noisy line is used to dial this test. - Conclusion; I hope this paper was of interest and of benefit to you. Test numbers are quite interesting little toys to play around with, while travelling through the land of the telephone system. One never knows what they can find until they start actually taking the time to hand-scan... (see: http://www.nettwerked.net/files.html | "Scanning (Manual)"). Peace out! - Credit: Thanks to Phlux for the additional input. Support Phlux's HASH project (http://www.hackcanada.com/hash.txt). - Contact Information: E-MAIL: theclone@hackcanada.com IRC: irc.2600.net (#hackcanada, #cpu) URL: www.nettwerked.net - Shout-Outs: Hack Canada (#hackcanada / www.hackcanada.com), Canadian Phreakers Union (#cpu / www.nettwerked.net/cpu), CYB0RG/ASM, H410g3n, Phlux, Alan, Seuss, Lucky225. .END.