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From: 0003829147@mcimail.com (Sander J. Rabinowitz)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Thoughts on 900 Service
Message-ID: <11331@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 25 Aug 90 14:26:00 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 594, Message 4 of 7


In the 24 August 1990 issue, the Moderator wrote the following in
reply to what I thought was the first non-tollfree 800 number:
 
>[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.]
 
Well, that is a relief.  Unfortunately, I had already dashed off that
letter to my congressman ... but when it comes to 900 service, I scare
kind of easy.  =)
 
Is it too much to ask to make it mandatory for the most expensive of
the 900/976 services to require credit card billing?  True, it won't
prevent a really determined kid from "borrowing" his parent's Visa
card, and perhaps 900/976 blocking may be needed anyway ... but my
primary concern is this: What if you want to access a desired service
(say, the "Weather Line" for example), and you accidentally dial "The
Car Loan Connection"?  The first service costs 25 cents, while the
second costs $35.00 per call!  (Now I don't know what the telephone
numbers are, but I assure you the charges are NOT hypothetical.)
 
Alternatively, there should be a warning for every 900 and 976 service
that's out there that should give the caller the option of aborting
the call without charge if the caller selected the wrong service or if
it's too expensive and the caller changes his mind. Something like
this:

[Computer:] "You have reached a number that will result in a $______
charge (per minute) on your telephone bill.  If you wish to proceed,
press 1-2-3 on your touch-tone telephone, or wait 30 seconds.  Otherwise,
please hang up.  Thank you."
 
With that in mind, there could be three levels of 900/976 service,
where everyone starts off at Level #2 (all services get the above
computer message).  Then, the subscriber can either go up to Level #1
(unlimited access to 900/976 services without the computer message),
or down to level #3 (no access to 900/976 whatsoever).
 
If the above is feasible, it can may 900 and 976 work to the advantage
of everyone involved.  If the service can be made more flexible for
meeting the caller's needs, then the number of customers who are dialing 
the lines may increase. There would be less accidental dialing, so
some of the burden would be lifted off the phone companies.  Above
all, the customer would be more satisfied.


* * * Sander J. Rabinowitz 0003829147@mcimail.com * * *