RFC 2806 (rfc2806) - Page 2 of 21


URLs for Telephone Calls



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



RFC 2806                URLs for Telephone Calls              April 2000


   2.5.8 T.33 subaddresses ........................................   11
   2.5.9 Data call parameters .....................................   12
   2.5.10 Telephony service provider identification ...............   13
   2.5.11 Additional parameters ...................................   14
   2.6 Examples of Use ............................................   14
   2.7 Rationale behind the syntax ................................   15
   2.7.1 Why distinguish between call types?  .....................   15
   2.7.2 Why "tel" is "tel"?  .....................................   16
   2.7.3 Why to use E.164-style numbering? ........................   16
   2.7.4 Not everyone has the same equipment as you ...............   17
   2.7.5 Do not confuse numbers with how they are dialled .........   17
   3. Comments on usage ...........................................   17
   4. References ..................................................   18
   5. Security Considerations .....................................   19
   6. Acknowledgements ............................................   20
   7. Author's Address ............................................   20
   8. Full Copyright Statement ....................................   21

1. Introduction

1.1 New URL schemes

   This specification defines three new URL schemes: "tel", "fax" and
   "modem". They are intended for describing a terminal that can be
   contacted using the telephone network. The description includes the
   subscriber (telephone) number of the terminal and the necessary
   parameters to be able to successfully connect to that terminal.

   The "tel" scheme describes a connection to a terminal that handles
   normal voice telephone calls, a voice mailbox or another voice
   messaging system or a service that can be operated using DTMF tones.

   The "fax" scheme describes a connection to a terminal that can handle
   telefaxes (facsimiles). The name (scheme specifier) for the URL is
   "fax" as recommended by [E.123].

   The "modem" scheme describes a connection to a terminal that can
   handle incoming data calls. The term "modem" refers to a device that
   does digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions; in addition
   to these, a "modem" scheme can describe a fully digital connection.

   The notation for phone numbers is the same which is specified in
   [RFC 2303] and [RFC 2304]. However, the syntax definition is a bit
   different due to the fact that this document specifies URLs whereas
   [RFC 2303] and [RFC 2304] specify electronic mail addresses. For
   example, "/" (used in URLs to separate parts in a hierarchical URL
   [RFC 2396]) has been replaced by ";". In addition, this URL scheme has
   been synchronized with [RFC 2543].



Vaha-Sipila                 Standards Track