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