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From: eli@pws.bull.com (Steve Elias)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Beating Intrastate Long Distance Ripoffs
Message-ID: <10219@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 29 Jul 90 13:01:25 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 527, Message 8 of 8


One method to avoid the bogus high prices of intrastate calls is to
use a long distance carrier to complete the call.  An 800 number to a
commonly called number (like your home), might be worthwhile.  Sprint
bills these calls in six second increments, so you only pay a few
cents for a short call.  Of course, there's a $10 or $5 monthly fee
for 800 numbers.

950 or 1-800 access to most carriers has a 75 cent or more access 
charge, so you'll have to talk for more than a couple o minutes if 
you want to recoup your losses by using your fabulous US Sprint
foncard, or your ATT card.  

/eli


[Moderator's Note: Telecom*USA only charges $2.75 for their 800
numbers, which simply camp on whatever number you designate. And yes,
they *are still being marketed*, although they are rather low-key
about it. And when using a genuine Bell payphone, there is no access
charge to contend with either.   PT]