Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!samsung!usc!henry.jpl.nasa.gov!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!gryphon!vector!telecom-gateway From: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu (TELECOM Moderator) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Telecomm*USA Wants Your Local Phone Calls, Too Message-ID: Date: 20 Nov 89 06:56:03 GMT Sender: news@vector.Dallas.TX.US Lines: 58 Approved: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 523, message 10 of 10 Telecom*USA claims they are now in a position to be your carrier for phone calls within your own area code as well as interstate. In a brochure entitled, "Dial 700 For Convenience and Savings", Telecom*USA states, "You've always been able to access the quality and savings of Telecom*USA service for your long distance calls outside your area code. Now we are making it easier for you to place calls .. [emphasis is theirs]. "If you are an equal-access dial one-plus customer of Telecom*USA, you can enjoy these benefits: Easy Dialing: Dial 1 + 700 + 7 digit number within your area code. Billing Convenience: Now, calls made within your area code will appear on your Telecom*USA bill with 700 dialing. Volume Discounts: These calls may contribute toward, and receive volume discounts, depending on your Telecom*USA plan of service. This may result in additional savings for you. "By using 700 Dialing, you will enjoy Telecom*USA digital quality and convenience on calls that may otherwise be carried and billed by your local telephone company. "Dialing to locations your area code has not changed. Just dial 1 + Area Code + Number. [their emphasis] "If you have any questions about this convenient dialing method, call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-728-7000 or 1-319-366-6600." ========================================= Why yes, I do have a couple questions: What could possibly be more convenient about dialing eleven digits to reach a Chicago number when I presently can dial seven? What difference could the 'digital quality' of Telecom*USA's network possibly make when I call from here to my office, or for that matter, to the other side of Chicago? And I am sure the rates would not be any cheaper! Five cents more or less per minute is pretty cheap. I'm sure Telecom*USA would charge more. It may be however that their plan is a good one in places where a single area code covers an entire state and long distance charges are incurred on such calls, at the notorious rates allowed on intrastate calls by some state regulators. If anyone thinks it is worth looking into, give them a call at the number mentioned above. I have my two lines both default to the Mother Company, although for the life of me there are times I wonder why I remain loyal. I only use 10835 on an occassional basis, and as such, am not eligible for the 700 intra-area code plan, which as mentioned, is worthless to me anyway. Patrick Townson