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.:: Skytel Paging and Voicemail ::.

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Current issue : #50 | Release date : 1997-04-09 | Editor : daemon9
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extract.cPhrack Staff
Title : Skytel Paging and Voicemail
Author : pbxPhreak
                                .oO Phrack 50 Oo.

                            Volume Seven, Issue Fifty

                                     10 of 16
  
                         - Skytel Paging and Voicemail -
                                  The PBXPhreak
                               <[email protected]>

  If you weren't aware, Skytel is the largest nationwide paging and wireless
  messaging service in the United States.  If you want to use this to your
  advantage,  keep reading...

Table of Contents
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  1.  Important SkyTel Numbers
  2.  History of SkyTel
  3.  SkyPager
  4.  SkyWord Pagers
  5.  SkyTel 2-Way Pagers
  6.  SkyTel Extras . The SkyNews and SkyQuote
  7.  SkyTel SkyFax Option.
  8.  SkyTalk Option
  9.  Sending a Message
  10. SkyTel Coverage
  11. International Access numbers to the SkyTel system.
  12. SkyTel accessible by Land, Sea or Air.
  13. Overview of SkyTel
  14. Getting Phree SkyTel Pagers
  15. Taking over a SkyTel Mailbox
  16. Prefixes for SkyTel Pagers and Voicemail
  17. Conclusion

1. Important SkyTel Numbers.

     800-456-3333 - Skytel Nationwide Sales Center
     800-SKY-USER - Skytel Customer Service 
     800-SKY-PAGE - Skytel Numeric Paging
     800-SKY-GRAM - Skytel Alpha-Numeric Paging
     800-SKY-TALK - Skytel Voice Mail
     800-SKY-FAXE - Skytel Faxing
     800-SKY-8888 - Skytel System Access

2. History of SkyTel.

   1987:

   - SkyTel founded; first nationwide paging and wireless messaging
     service.

   1988:

   - SkyTel offers first integrated voice messaging service: SkyTalk;
     provides instant notification of voice messages.

   1991:

   - Mtel, the parent company of SkyTel, presents the concept of two-way
     paging to the FCC.
   - SkyTel launches SkyWord - the first nationwide alphanumeric messaging
     service; subscribers can now receive text messages nationwide.
   - SkyTel goes international, offering service in Canada and Mexico.

   1992:

   - SkyTel develops an X.400 gateway; subscribers can now integrate email
     services with paging.
   - Mtel awarded a Pioneer's Preference by the FCC guaranteeing a license
     to deploy a two-way wireless communications network.

   1993:

   - SkyTel offers the first integrated information services - SkyNews,
     news headlines broadcast to a SkyWord pager; and SkyQuote, stock
     quotes broadcast to a SkyWord pager.
   - SkyTel expands its range of integrated email services announcing
     connectivity to Lotus cc:mail, Microsoft Mail, MCI Mail, and AT&T
     PersonaLink.
   - SkyTel expands international services to Asia Pacific and South
     America.

   1994:

   - Mtel announces an alliance with Microsoft to co-develop products and
     services for the Mtel two-way paging network.
   - SkyTel collaborates with Toshiba to offer the first PC Card for
     wireless messaging, the Noteworthy NewsCard, and offers the first
     integrated wireless messaging solution for notebook computers,
     SkyCard(r).
   - SkyTel offers SkyFax, providing a toll-free fax-mailbox with instant
     notification of incoming faxes for subscribers.
   - Mtel purchases two nationwide licenses in FCC narrowband PCS auctions.
   - Mtel acquires U.S. Paging Corp., a reseller of paging services to
     major corporations nationwide.
   - SkyTel provides an Internet gateway; subscribers can now send messages
     to SkyTel pagers through the Internet.

   1995:

   - SkyTel announces that MCI will resell SkyTel paging services as part
     of networkMCI products.
   - SkyTel announces agreement with SONY Electronics Inc. whereby SONY
     will distribute SkyTel pagers through retail network; this
     announcement marks the entry of SkyTel into the retail market.
   - SkyTel announces SkyTel 2-Way, the first two-way paging and wireless
     messaging service; subscribers can automatically confirm receipt of
     messages and respond directly from their pager.


3. SkyPager.

The SkyTel System keeps you in touch with clients, colleagues and family 
members when you're on the road. Now you can receive important information
quickly and accurately where you do business. People who need to reach you
dial one toll-free phone number.  You'll never have to leave a trail of 
telephone numbers or play another round of phone tag.

SkyPager Features

   - SkyPager can receive numeric messages up to 20 digits long.   
     This can be the telephone number of someone who needs you or a
     code (e.g., "911" if the office needs you to call in immediately).
   - Page Recall provides quick message retrieval for times when you've
     been out of coverage range or the pager has been turned off.
   - Message senders can broadcast one message to multiple subscribers,
     prioritize urgent messages and program messages for future delivery
     for time-zone differences.
   - Only SkyTel provides 24-hour a day, seven-day a week Customer Service,
     and all calls are always toll-free. Or, use SkyTel Customer Service
     Online to contact SkyTel.

Hardware Features:

   - New FLEX technology means longer battery life -- up to 5 months on
     one AAA battery.
   - Choice of several musical tones or silent vibration alert.
   - Holds up to sixteen 20-digit messages.


4. SkyWord Pagers:

With SkyWord, you can receive text messages accurately and quickly. You
know what's needed immediately, without picking up the phone to return the
call.

Skyword Features

   - Receive text messages up to 240 characters in a hand-held unit.
   - Receive notification of e-mail messages while you're on the road.
     SkyTel e-mail integration is compatible with various e-mail systems.
     Ask your SkyTel sales rep for details.
   - SkyNews(r) news headlines are provided twice daily. Stay up to date,
     even while traveling, on the economic, political, international and
     financial news of the day.
   - Page Recall provides quick message retrieval for times when you've
     been out of range or the pager has been turned off.

Sending Messages Is EASY!

   - Use SkyWord Access or QuickAccess software. All you need is a
     modem-equipped PC or Macintosh computer to easily send messages.
   - Your callers can dictate a text message to a SkyTel Customer Messaging
     Agent, toll-free 24-hours a day.

Hardware Features:

   - New FLEX technology means longer battery life -- up to 5 months on
     one AA battery.
   - Choice of several musical tones or silent vibration alert.
   - Receive up to forty, 240-character messages.

5. SkyTel 2-Way Pagers.

Imagine the freedom of getting a question and pushing one button to 
answer... from a pager small enough to fit in your hand. Your callers
get answers quickly and easily by telephone, computer, e-mail or even
on their SkyTel pager. And you reduce long-distance and cellular phone
expenses!

SkyTel 2-Way is the first and only service that allows you to respond to
a message from a pager.

The SkyTel 2-Way System acts as the clearinghouse for all outgoing and
incoming messages.

Messages to you:
People sending you messages (senders) can do so by:

   - phone (numeric, voice messages, or operator-assisted text messages)
   - computer (SkyTel Access or QuickAccess software, e-mail, or palmtop
     computer connection)

Messages from you:
And senders can get your response via:

   - phone
   - computer
   - SkyWord or SkyTel 2-Way pagers

Works with Other SkyTel Services:

SkyTalk: Full-featured voice mail lets senders leave a detailed message
         and then you call back to hear the reply.
SkyNews: Headline news provided twice daily.

The answer is in the palm of your hand With SkyTel 2-Way, your senders
become your partners in communications. They compose messages with
multiple-choice responses for you to choose from, such as:

   - CLIENT WILL SIGN $80K CONTRACT IF WE CAN DELIVER BY 4/7
   - PROCEED
   - DO NOT PROCEED
   - AWAIT MY CALL

Or if your sender does not define responses, select from one of your SkyTel
2-Way pager's 16 pre-programmed responses:

   - YES/OK
   - NO
   - WILL CALL LATER
   - CALL ME
   - RUNNING LATE
   - NEED MORE INFO
   - SEND # TO CALL
   - WHERE ARE YOU?
   - WILL ARRIVE 15M
   - WILL ARRIVE 30M
   - TRAFFIC DELAY
   - PICK ME UP
   - BUSY
   - FINISHED
   - CALL HOME

Senders can receive your response at their convenience, 24 hours a day by
phone, PC or SkyTel pager.

Unit Features And Operations

   - weighs about 5-1/2 ounces
   - runs for several weeks on single AAA-size alkaline battery
   - flip-top cover protects the unit and houses the transmitter used to
     send and receive messages
   - messages can be up to 500 characters long, including customized reply
     choices
   - "Personal Folder" stores messages in the 100 kilobyte memory; message
     length determines how many messages you can store

Sending Messages

With SkyTel 2-Way, anyone can send a message directly to SkyTel 2-Way
subscribers and receive their replies.

Message Sending Options:

   - Telephone keypad: Call toll-free from any touch-tone telephone to send
     a numeric message.
   - Voice messaging: Leave a detailed message (for SkyTalk subscribers).
   - Operator-assisted text messaging: Dial the SkyTel toll-free number and
     speak to a Customer Messaging Agent who will type and send your
     message.
   - Personal computer and modem: Use SkyTel AccessTM or QuickAccess
     software to compose and transmit messages on a modem-equipped
     computer.
   - E-mail: SkyTel 2-Way messages can be created and sent through any
     Internet-based e-mail system. Replies will be directed back to the
     e-mail address.
   - Palmtop computer connections: SkyTel 2-Way subscribers can link their
     Hewlett-Packard 100 or 200LXTM or OmniGo 100 palmtop computer to a
     SkyTel 2-Way pager. Subscribers can then compose, transmit, receive,
     relay, store and reply to SkyTel 2-Way messages.

Receiving Replies

With SkyTel 2-Way, senders know for certain whether their message was
received and can easily check for their reply. Check each message sent over
The SkyTel 2-Way System using these convenient options:

Message Tracking and Reply Options

   - Telephone: Whenever you send a message (by telephone or otherwise),
     SkyTel assigns a unique confirmation number to that message. Senders
     can call The SkyTel 2-Way System later and use the confirmation number
     to check the status of the message and/or get their reply.
   - Personal computer and a modem: Use SkyTel Access software to compose
     and transmit messages. Then use the confirmation number to check the
     status of messages and/or get your reply.
   - E-mail: When you send a message via e-mail to a SkyTel 2-Way
     subscriber, you'll receive your reply at your e-mail address.
   - Pagers: Replies can be forwarded to a SkyWord (alphanumeric) or
     SkyTel 2-Way pager.

6. SkyTel Extra Features.

SkyNews Features:

   - Four headlines are broadcast twice each day - 12:30pm and     
     5:00pm ET Monday Friday, 2:00 and 7:00pm ET Saturday and
     Sunday.
   - Headlines are transmitted FREE to all SkyWord and SkyTel 2-Way
     pagers.
   - Headline topics include: U.S. politics, U.S. business and economic
     news, international events, Dow Jones industrial average updates and
     the performance of leading stocks.
   - In addition to the regular broadcasts, news alerts are sent as crucial
     events occur in the U.S. or abroad.

SkyNews Special Editions:

If you need news about your specific industry, subscribe to SkyNews Special
Editions.  Headlines are available about the following industries:

           Finance
           Telecommunications
           Information Highway
           Media

There is an additional charge for SkyTel special editions.

SkyQuote Features:

Keep tabs on Wall Street with SkyQuote-the personalized financial   
news service on SkyTel text messaging units. With SkyQuote, you'll
be alerted twice each business day with pricing updates on four stocks or
exchange indexes. You provide us with the stocks, choose the timing of your
updates, and SkyTel will do the rest.

Your messaging unit will alert you with the price of the most recent trade
for each of the four companies you have selected. You will also receive Dow
Jones headline alerts when significant news breaks on your selected
companies.

7. SkyTel SkyFax Option.

Whoever invented the fax machine apparently didn't know much about doing
business on the road. After all, you can't take the machine with you. It
has very little interest in your schedule. And critical faxes have a way of
arriving at the wrong place, and the wrong time.

SkyFax Features:

   - You are assigned a personal toll-free number that people use to send
     you faxes.
   - Notification on your SkyPager or SkyWord pager that a fax has
     arrived in your mailbox.
   - Dial a toll-free number to download the fax to fax machine of your
     choice.
   - SkyFax even works with your portable computer's send/receive fax
     software.

SkyFax Benefits:

SkyFax offers total control over how and where people reach you with
important fax messages.

   - Toll-free number reduces long-distance charges.
   - Download faxes at YOUR convenience.
   - Senders don't have to know your travel schedule in order to send you
     faxes -- you'll never miss an important fax.
   - Your documents remain confidential, because you're in control.

8. SkyTel SkyTalk Option.

Now, when you travel, The SkyTel System will let you give the people who
need to stay in touch with you one toll-free phone number where you can
always be reached. Even if they don't know exactly where you are, they'll
be able to call a single number and leave a voice message in your SkyTalk(r)
voice mailbox. You'll be notified quickly that a message is waiting. Then
you can retrieve it whenever you want.

SkyTalk can also be used to send information to a whole group of people
simultaneously with one phone call. Even if they're spread across Phoenix,
Los Angeles, Boston and Miami, everyone will be notified in minutes.

SkyTalk Features

   - SkyTalk is an easily-accessible toll-free voice mail system that
     notifies you when you have a message on your SkyPager, SkyWord or
     SkyTel 2-Way pager.
   - Personal toll-free access numbers are available to provide callers
     with easy access to your voice mail. You can even forward your office
     number to your toll-free Personal Access Number when you're traveling
     so every caller can leave a message for you.
   - You can access other parts of The SkyTel System easily, without
     hanging up the phone. For example, you can reply directly to messages
     from other subscribers, broadcast messages to a subscriber list and
     redirect messages to other subscribers.

Additional SkyTalk Features

   - Personalized voice mail greeting -- your own words in your own voice.
   - Security code to prevent unauthorized access.
   - Spanish and Japanese language prompts available.
   - Messages up to 5 minutes in length.
   - Stores up to 20 messages for up to 14 days.
   - Unretrieved messages stored for 72 hours.
   - Toll-free access to your messages from over 40 countries around the
     world (surcharge may apply).

9. Sending a Message.

     Make it simple for your clients and colleagues to remember how to
     send you a message. Just include the instructions on your
     business card! On the front, list the SkyTel 800 number and your
     PIN along with all your other numbers. For more detailed
     instructions, use the back of your card. These instructions can
     be pre-printed on the card or printed on a sticker for attachment
     later. To get started, please see the SkyWord example below.

                             Sending Me A Page

                            Dial 1-800-759-8888
                             Enter PIN, press #
                      Numeric message--press 1, then #
                       Voice message--press 2, then #
                         Dictated message--press 3
                               Press # to end

10. SkyTel Coverage.   

SkyTel is the best single source for all of your messaging needs. For
locally, nationally and internationally. People everywhere are taking
advantage of SkyTel coverage flexibility. Whatever your lifestyle requires,
SkyTel will easily provide a coverage plan that works for you.

SkyPager and SkyWord Coverage Plans Include:

Metro Service:

If your business is conducted primarily in one metro area or state, but
requires occasional travel to other parts of the country, The SkyTel System
with Metro Service and Nationwide Now is your cost-effective messaging
solution.

Metro Plus:

A broader 2- to 6-state zone. There are 21 pre-defined Metro Plus zones,
each with nationwide access through Nationwide Now.

Regional/Region Plus:

East, West, Central, Southeast, Southwest or Midwest. Two regions can be
combined (Region Plus service) for maximum coverage. Each can include
Nationwide Now (Region Plus service is available for SkyPager only).

Nationwide:

Coverage in thousands of cities and towns across the United States.
(SkyPager only)

Nationwide Now:

Nationwide Now is an exclusive SkyTel coverage feature that allows you to
access our nationwide network when you travel out of your home coverage
area.

International:

SkyTel International Service can be used in conjunction with any U.S.-based
coverage plan:

   - Simulcast service: Messages are always transmitted to U.S. and the
     country(ies) of your choice.

   - Follow-Me: Allows you to activate coverage (with a quick call into The
     SkyTel System) to receive messages while traveling abroad. You choose
     the country(ies) and length of time for international coverage.

   - International coverage is available in the following countries:

     Argentina
     Bahamas
     Bermuda
     Brazil
     Canada
     Colombia
     Ecuador
     Guatemala
     Hong Kong
     Indonesia
     Malaysia
     Mexico
     Peru
     Philippines
     Puerto Rico
     Singapore
     Uruguay (coming soon)
     Venezuela

     In the places you travel most, SkyTel goes along with you, giving
     you reliable, efficient communications. Here's just a partial
     listing of the United States and international coverage areas.

     Skytel has a wide coverage area. I only listed U.S. cities with
     a population of 75,000 or more.

     ALABAMA
     Birmingham
     Huntsville
     Mobile
     Montgomery
     Tuscaloosa

     ARIZONA
     Chandler
     Glendale
     Mesa
     Phoenix
     Scottsdale
     Tempe
     Tucson

     ARKANSAS
     Little Rock

     CALIFORNIA
     Alameda
     Alhambra
     Anaheim
     Arden-Arcade
     Bakersfield
     Berkeley
     Burbank
     Carson
     Chula Vista
     Citrus Heights
     Compton
     Concord
     Corona
     Costa Mesa
     Daly City
     Downey
     E. Los Angeles
     El Cajon
     El Monte
     Escondido
     Fairfield
     Fremont
     Fresno
     Fullerton
     Garden Grove
     Glendade
     Hayward
     Huntington Beach
     Inglewood
     Irvine
     Lancaster
     Long Beach
     Los Angeles
     Modesto
     Moreno Valley
     Norwalk
     Oakland
     Oceanside
     Ontario
     Orange
     Oxnard
     Pasadena
     Pomona
     Rancho Cucamonga
     Richmond
     Riverside
     Sacramento
     Salinas
     San Bernadino
     San Buenaventura
     San Diego
     San Francisco
     San Jose
     San Mateo
     Santa Ana
     Santa Barbara
     Santa Clara
     Santa Clarita
     Santa Monica
     Santa Rosa
     Simi Valley
     South Gate
     Stockton
     Sunnyvale
     Thousand Oaks
     Torrance
     West Covina
     Westminster
     Whittier

     COLORADO
     Arvada
     Aurora
     Boulder
     Colorado Springs
     Denver
     Ft. Collins
     Lakewood
     Pueblo

     CONNECTICUT
     Bridgeport
     Hartford
     New Britain
     New Haven
     Norwalk
     Stamford
     Waterbury

     DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
     Metro Area

     FLORIDA
     Clearwater
     Coral Springs
     Ft. Lauderdale
     Gainesville
     Hialeah
     Hollywood
     Jacksonville
     Kendall
     Miami
     Miami Beach
     Orlando
     St. Petersburg
     Tallahassee
     Tampa

     GEORGIA
     Albany
     Atlanta
     Columbus
     Macon
     Savannah

     HAWAII
     Honolulu

     IDAHO
     Boise City

     ILLINOIS
     Arlington Heights
     Aurora
     Chicago
     Decatur
     Elgin
     Joliet
     Naperville
     Peoria
     Rockford
     Springfield

     INDIANA
     Evansville
     Ft. Wayne
     Gary
     Hammond
     Indianapolis
     South Bend

     IOWA
     Cedar Rapids
     Davenport
     Des Moines
     Sioux City

     KANSAS
     Kansas City
     Overland Park
     Topeka
     Wichita

     KENTUCKY
     Lexington
     Louisville

     LOUISIANA
     Baton Rouge
     Lafayette
     Metairie
     New Orleans
     Shreveport

     MARYLAND
     Baltimore
     Columbia
     Silver Spring

     MASSACHUSETTS
     Boston
     Brockton
     Cambridge
     Fall River
     Lowell
     Lynn
     New Bedford
     Newton
     Quincy
     Somerville
     Springfield
     Worcester

     MICHIGAN
     Ann Arbor
     Clinton
     Dearborn
     Detroit
     Worcester
     Flint
     Grand Rapids
     Kalamazoo
     Lansing
     Livonia
     Southfield
     Sterling Heights
     Warren
     Westland

     MINNESOTA
     Bloomington
     Duluth
     Minneapolis
     St. Paul

     MISSISSIPPI
     Jackson

     MISSOURI
     Independence
     Kansas City
     St. Louis
     Springfield

     MONTANA
     Billings

     NEBRASKA
     Lincoln
     Omaha

     NEVADA
     Las Vegas
     Paradise
     Reno
     Sunrise Manor

     NEW HAMPSHIRE
     Manchester
     Nashua

     NEW JERSEY
     Camden
     Edison
     Elizabeth
     Jersey City
     Newark
     Paterson
     Trenton

     NEW MEXICO
     Albuquerque

     NEW YORK
     Albany
     Buffalo
     Cheektowaga
     New York
     Rochester
     Syracuse
     Yonkers

     NORTH CAROLINA
     Charlotte
     Durham
     Fayetteville
     Greensboro
     Raleigh
     Winston-Salem

     OHIO
     Akron
     Canton
     Cincinnati
     Cleveland
     Columbus
     Dayton
     Parma
     Toledo
     Youngstown

     OKLAHOMA
     Oklahoma City
     Tulsa

     OREGON
     Eugene
     Portland
     Salem

     PENNSYLVANIA
     Allentown
     Erie
     Philadelphia
     Pittsburgh
     Reading
     Scranton

     RHODE ISLAND
     Cranston
     Providence
     Warwick

     SOUTH CAROLINA
     Charleston

     SOUTH DAKOTA
     Sioux Falls

     TENNESSEE
     Chattanooga
     Clarksville
     Knoxville
     Memphis
     Nashville-Davidson

     TEXAS
     Abilene
     Amarillo
     Arlington
     Austin
     Beaumont
     Carrollton
     Corpus Christi
     Dallas
     El Paso
     Ft. Worth
     Garland
     Grand Prairie
     Houston
     Irving
     Laredo
     Lubbock
     McAllen
     Mesquite
     Midland
     Odessa
     Pasadena
     Plano
     San Angelo
     San Antonio
     Tyler
     Waco
     Wichita Falls

     UTAH
     Provo
     Salt Lake City
     West Valley City

     VIRGIN ISLANDS
     St. Croix
     St. Thomas

     VIRGINIA
     Alexandria
     Arlington
     Chesapeake
     Hampton
     Newport News
     Norfolk
     Portsmouth
     Richmond
     Roanoke
     Virginia Beach

     WASHINGTON
     Bellevue
     Seattle
     Spokane
     Tacoma

     WISCONSIN
     Green Bay
     Kenosha
     Madison
     Milwaukee
     Racine

11. International Access numbers to the SkyTel system.

SkyTel US Customers can access the SkyTel System from 44 countries around
the world! Use the chart below to find the access numbers you need.

Legend for notes:

   * a: Pay phones may require a coin or card
   * b: Not available from pay phones
   * c: Not available from all phones
   * d: Local or in-country charges may apply

                    Country           Access Number     Notes

             Australia             1-800-12-8078
             Bahamas               1-800-934-6451       a
             Bahamas               1-800-934-6451       a
             Barbados              1-800-534-2170       b
             Belgium               0800-1-4389          a
             Bermuda               1-800-825-0311
             Canada                800-759-8255         c
             Chile                 1230-020-3220        b
             China                 10-800-524-4624      c
             Colombia              980-1-52547          a, c
             Costa Rica            001800-234-4793      b
             Denmark               8001-8671            a
             El Salvador           0-1-800-234-9578     b, c
             Finland               9-800-1-59402        a
             France                05-90-3223
             Germany               0130-8-18414
             Greece                00800-12-2613        a, c,d
             Guam                  1-800-671-0150       a
             Guatemala             099-0082             a
             Hong Kong             800-5688             a
             Hungary               00-800-11144
             Indonesia             001-800-011-0277
             Ireland               1-800-55-5523
             Israel                177-150-1572         a
             Italy                 1678-77100           a
             Japan                 0031-12-3373         a, c
             Luxembourg            0800-6170
             Malaysia              800-2652             a, d
             Mexico                95-800-759-8255      c, d
             Netherlands           06-022-7548          a, c
             Netherlands Antilles  0031-12-3373         b, d
             New Zealand           0800-447036
             Norway                800-15617
             Panama                001-800-507-0089
             Portugal              0501-12-707          a, c
             Singapore             800-1200-457         a
             South Africa          080-09-92588         a
             Sweden                020-79-3976          a
             Switzerland           155-2154             a
             Taiwan                0080-13-8341         a
             Thailand              001-800-12-066-0249  a, c
             United Kingdom        0800-89-3648
             Uraguay               000-413-598-0371     a, c,d
             Venezuela             8001-2458

12. SkyTel accessible by Land, Sea or Air.

     Accessibility is important in any business, but when you provide
     mobile satellite communications to maritime, aeronautical and
     land mobile customers, it's your main selling point.

     The folks at COMSAT Mobile Communications sell communications
     that know no bounds, so they need to keep in constant contact
     with all their customers and prospects. That's why they rely on
     SkyTel.

     Robert Katz, director of Mobile Data for COMSAT, says, "It's not
     just SkyTel paging that's so valuable to us. It's the whole
     spectrum of SkyTel services." As a matter of fact, the company
     depends on more than 160 SkyTel pagers, especially in the sales,
     engineering and operations divisions, as well as a variety of
     SkyTel services.

     Serving as much-needed administrative support, a SkyTel Corporate
     Access Number gives customers or employees toll-free access to
     sending pages - with just one easy number and without having to
     carry or remember PlNs. With a list of key COMSAT employees and
     their PlNs, the SkyTel operator sends messages like a personal
     assistant. Katz uses this service to send out important meeting
     notices or project reminders, either to individuals or an entire
     group. "It's even better than voice mail or e-mail," says Katz.

     SkyTel service even works with COMSAT's office systems to keep
     communications transparent to the caller. For example, when Katz
     receives a call at his desk, his office voice mail system pages
     him immediately. Wherever he is, his SkyTel pager alerts him that
     a call is waiting. Within minutes, he phones in an access code to
     be connected instantly. When he picks up the call, the caller
     doesn't know if Katz is in a meeting, driving down the highway or
     relaxing at home. All he knows is that Katz is available for him.

     A loyal SkyTel customer since 1990, COMSAT is currently
     integrating SkyTel 2-Way messaging into their day-to-day
     operations. Of course, you would fully expect these experts in
     satellite communications to take advantage of the best in
     satellite messaging technology. With SkyTel they're moving full
     speed ahead.

13. Overview of SkyTel.

Don't sit by the phone and wait for important calls. Carry your SkyTel
pager and stay in touch. Let your messages find you.

Anyone - from customer service reps, medical personnel and sales executives
to busy parents and teenagers - can take advantage of the easiest
communications solution today.

SkyTel has paging services and coverage options to meet your requirements.
In town or out, SkyTel is the only service you'll need.

Only The SkyTel System includes these advances:

   - Always Toll-free - no fumbling for spare change; no cost for calls,
     from anywhere in the United States
   - Personalized Greetings - just like an answering machine, change your
     greeting as often as you like ... easier for callers to use and
     understand
   - Page Recall - stop worrying about missed messages; call in to review
     messages from the last three days, even if your pager was turned off

       If you need ...                        Then try ...

 To be notified with a       SkyPager for short, simple communications.
 number (phone number or
 special code) that someone
 is trying to reach you.

 Full written messages in    SkyWord for receiving numeric and
 the palm of your hand.      alphanumeric messages.

                             SkyTel 2-Way for revolutionary two-way
 To answer questions
 immediately. Without using  communications. With SkyTel 2-Way you can
 a phone.                    respond immediately to messages you receive,
                             right from your pager.

                             SkyTalk, giving you full-featured voice
 To know you have a voice    mail and notification on your pager every
 message.                    time a message is left, available with all
                             paging services.

                             SkyFax so your callers can fax easily to
 Easy access to all of the   your unique toll-free number. You're
 faxes that come in while    notified via your pager and can download,
 you're out.                 save, store and forward faxes from wherever
                             you are (not available with SkyTel 2-Way).

 To know what's going on in  SkyNews and SkyQuote, providing you with
 the world and on Wall       news or stock quotes twice daily, available
 Street.                     to SkyWord subscribers.

14. Getting Phree SkyTel Pagers

    To get phree SkyTel pagers you will need to get a pin. To do this
    you will have to do some scanning. Use the prefixes in section 16 of
    this article. Each pin is seven digits. If an account has a personal
    800 number, then that is the pin. For example 800-759-9826. The pin
    is 7599826.

    Hint: If you find a pin with option 3# on it. Which is alpha-numeric
          paging. Call it up. The SkyTel operator will read you the name
          of the owner of the pager. Now you have the owner. All you have
          to do is goto a payphone and page the owner of the pager to the
          payphone and bull shit him into something stupid like "This is
          Michael Donaldson from SkyTel. We have lost some information on
          your SkyTel account. We need it for billing purposes." He will
          almost 99.99% of the time give it up. Your next step is to CNA
          his number and get all the information on the number. Now you
          have all the information on his SkyTel account. The best accounts
          to get phree pagers with are corporate accounts because they
          usually have many pagers under the account and will let you ship
          a large quantity of pagers out at one time.

Typical Conversation with Skytel to get Phree Pagers:

(if you have a UPS bin number all the better. BIN = billing identification
number. AKA bill shipping to another company).

 SB=Skytel Bitch
 ME=PBXPhreak

    Call 800-SKY-USER

    ME: "Hi, I was wondering if you can help me?"
    SB: "Sure, what do you need help with"
    ME: "I would like to add a pager to my SkyTel account"
    SB: "Ok, sir. Whats your pin on your account"
    ME: (give her the pin you have info on)
    SB: (will ask for info on the account)
    ME: (give her the info)
    SB: "Ok, what type of pager and service would you like"
    ME: "A SkyTel Tango 2 Way Pager " -- $400 each
    SB: "Ok, I am filling an order for a Tango, would you like any extra
         options on this pager"
    ME: "Yes, the SkyTalk, SkyNews, SkyFax, SkyQuote and with nationwide and
         international coverage please" (one fuckin loaded pager)
    SB: "Ok, that will be shipped out tomorrow"
    ME: "Miss, one thing.. I am in Canada right now at a Business conference
         can you ship it over here."
    SB: "Sure. Whats the address you want it delivered to."
    ME: (give her the dropsite)
    SB: "Is there anything else."
    ME: "No thanks. You have yourself a good day and a Merry Christmas!!!"

15. Taking over a SkyTel Mailbox

    Hint: If you find a pin with option 3# on it. Which is alpha-numeric
          paging. Call it up. The SkyTel operator will read you the name
          of the owner of the pager. Now you have the owner. All you have
          to do is goto a payphone and page the owner of the pager like
          a million times and if he doesn't respond do it every day for
          a week. This usually means the pager isn't in use. So this will
          be a good SkyTel to take over.

Typical Conversation with Skytel to takeover a SkyTel Mailbox:

 SB=Skytel Bitch
 ME=PBXPhreak

    Call 800-SKY-USER

    ME: "Hi, this is Michael Donaldson from AirTouch Paging"
    SB: "How can I help you"
    ME: "A customer was getting some options moved around when
         our computers crashed over on our system and I need to make
         some changes quickly, and our technician won't be here for
         awhile. He verified all the information correctly before the
         system crashed.
    SB: "What is the pin number on the account"
    ME: "7599823"
    SB: "OK.. What needed to be changed"
    ME: "He wanted to add SkyTalk and SkyFax and change his code to 9172"
    SB: "Ok i will do that now.."
    ME: "Who am I speaking too. So I can tell my manager." (just bullshit)
    SB: (some stupid name)
    ME: "Ok, Thank You."
    SB: "Is there anything else."
    ME: "No that is fine"
    SB: "Have a good day"

    That is a basic conversation that will get them to change the password,
    and add options to the account.

16. Prefixes for SkyTel Pagers and Voicemail

      800-203-xxxx
      800-213-xxxx
      800-436-45xx
      800-436-78xx
      800-757-xxxx
      800-759-xxxx (original region 759=SKY)

Ways of scanning:

   - Scan by Hand. I would try using Substance's Random Scan program to
     generate numbers in the prefixes mentioned above.

   - Toneloc is available at ftp.fc.net /pub/defcon/TONELOC


17. Conclusion

     That should give you tons of infoz about Skytel and how to acquire an
     account on the Skytel system.

EOF
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