History of Maryland Long Distance Telephone Service

The first touch-tone system - which used tones in the voice frequency range rather than pulses generated by rotary dials - was installed in Baltimore, MD, in 1941. Operators in a central switching office pushed the buttons; it was much too expensive for general use. However, the Bell System was intrigued by touch-tone because it increased the speed of dialing. By the early 1960s, low-cost transistors and associated circuit components made the introduction of touch-tone into home telephones possible. Extensive human factors tests determined the position of the buttons to limit errors and increase dialing speed even further. AllCoNet2 -- one of the oldest Municipal Wireless networks in the United States -- supplies cost-effective telecommunications and Internet services to government offices, schools, public safety agencies, and the public in Allegany County, Maryland. The network has received a Smart Practices" designation by the National Incident Management Center (NIMS) Integration Center department of the U.S. Government Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for providing innovative and highly-effective communications services to local public safety agencies. FEMA's Smart Practices designations provide examples of how various problems encountered by emergency response agencies have been solved. "Allegany County, Md., has found a way to provide its response agencies with advanced telecommunications services such as enhanced interoperability, mobile high-speed data terminals and more by using innovative fixed wireless technology," says the designation. The county's challenging terrain and the economics of a rural population base has made wireless systems or establishing newly wired infrastructure throughout the county difficult to achieve." "We are very gratified to receive this Smart Practices designation from FEMA," said Jeff Blank, Chief Technical Officer, CONXX Inc. which operates AllCoNet2 under contract and owns the unique technology developed for AllCoNet2. "The Smart Practices designation provides some recognition of the new types of services that AllCoNet2 has been able to provide to the very hard-working public safety agencies here in Allegany County." AllCoNet2 has been in continuous development and evolution for more than a decade. Internet access for residential and commercial customers in Allegany County is provided under Open Access provisions by Internet Service Providers that resell AllCoNet2 services. In 2006, CONXX will begin providing outdoor Wi-Fi services in Cumberland, Maryland, also under Open Access provisions.

Our friendly operators are available to help you make Maryland long distance in-state calls at great rates! Were you aware that you can call in-state for only 5.50¢/min? We would really enjoy showing you how. Our experienced staff can also assist you. Many companies provide in-state phone service, but none with the exceptional call quality offered by ECG Long Distance. Your friends, family, and business associates in Maryland are only a call away. Let us help you keep in touch with Maryland friends and family without overspending on in-state phone rates! If you would like to discuss Maryland in-state rates or other specific information about our plans, please contact us at: 1-800-293-7658

Maryland in-state rate is 5.50¢/min