I am having a discussion with my local utility company and it is going well except for one subject. Just how are utility companies interdependent upon telecommunication companies? They stated they watched some test between ATT and Public Service Electric and Gas Company in New Jersey. Here is their quote "We have actually witnessed the roll-over testing of telephone systems and had to do that testing ourselves for our own internal telephone systems. Based upon all of this information and testing, we have come to understand that telephone system failures are extremely unlikely, primarily because dates are not used in placing a call, nor in maintaining the continuity of dedicated lines. " What are they talking about?

-- Anonymous, August 31, 1999