Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: "Sander J. Rabinowitz" <0003829147@mcimail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Toll Calls on 800 Service
Message-ID: <11238@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 22 Aug 90 21:18:00 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 588, Message 3 of 11


I just read of a disturbing development involving 800 service.  Can anyone
confirm or deny the following:

(Detroit Free Press, 22 August 1990, Front page)

"Starting September 15, with the football season opener against
Syracuse University, fans can phone an 800 number and listen to the
play-by-play of MSU football, basketball and hockey games, but for a
price.

"UNLIKE OTHER 800 NUMBERS, WHICH ARE TOLL FREE, CALLERS WILL BE BILLED
FOR CALLING 1-800-CALL-300.  (Note: Emphasis added.)

"Football games, which usually last about three hours, would cost
$36.50.

To my knowledge (although I've subscribed to Telecom only since last
week), this is totally without precedent.  It disturbs me for the
following reasons:

1) Up to this point, 800 service has been synonymous with toll-free
calling (from the standpoint of the caller).  It is conceivable that
some businesses could abuse 800 service by advertising their number
but withholding the fact that their number incurs a charge.  (Or
putting it in very small print.)

2) We have a five-year old in our house, and hearing of all the horror
stories regarding 900 and 976 services involving children playing with
the phone, we now have 900 and 976 service blocking.  Now, with the
advent of NON-tollfree 800 service, I am at a loss as to how to deal
with it (aside from physically putting locks on the phones).  Whereas
I can generally do without 900 service, I don't think I can say the
same regarding 800 service.

3) Businesses using 800 service should be outraged (again, assuming
the above is true).  If people become afraid to use 800 service
because of the possibility of a charge, calls to 800 numbers in
general may significantly decrease.  Businesses that use 800 numbers
as the primary means of dealing with their customers should be
especially concerned.

In all of this, I can't help but feel that Michigan State University
deliberately took the 800 route to circumvent call blocking measures.
This is a truly unfortunate occurance, and I would hope that this is
the only time that anyone uses 800 service in this fashion.

I am sending carbon copies of this message to Michigan Bell and my
Congressman.

Best wishes from Sander Rabinowitz
MCI MAIL: 382-9147    Internet: 0003829147@mcimail.com


[Moderator's Note: I think you will find the billing is on a credit
card number which you must punch in when you first connect. You will
NOT be billed by telco for the 800 call, but you WILL be billed by the
University (or some affiliated organization handling university sports
promotions, etc) via the credit card you authorize on the touch pad.
Therefore, a person dialing that 800 number will be greeted only by a
synthesized voice asking them to enter their card number. If it is not
valid; or valid, but credit cannot be authorized, then it will simply
disconnect you.  Every example I've seen in the past like this has
been for phone sex, horoscopes or similar services. I don't think you
need to worry about anyone running up your phone bill, and I doubt
your child has access to your credit card numbers. The price quoted,
$36.50, would only buy five or ten minutes on many 900 lines. I
suspect the University went with 800+credit card to keep the price
down.  PAT]