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From: hansm@cs.kun.nl (Hans Mulder)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Equivalents of 800/900/976/911 Numbers in the Netherlands
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Date: 2 Oct 90 20:11:01 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 705, Message 4 of 7


In an article that has expired before I found the time to type this
in, somebody asked about the equivalents of 800/900/976 numbers in
other countries.

In the Netherlands PTT Telecom has managed to confuse everybody by
creating a single new area code (06) containing the equivalents of
both 800 and 900 numbers.  The Consumers' Association has demanded
that the toll numbers be changed into 07 numbers, but since all 07X
area codes are already in use, this is not possible.

Instead PTT Telecom have inserted a sticker into our phone bill.  The
text translates to:

	Green 06 numbers are free.
	Remember, for non-free 06-numbers:
	Don't hesitate to call, but be aware of the cost.

In case you're wondering: "green" numbers are defined as free 06-numbers.

PTT Telecom also produced a flyer "what everybody should know about 06
numbers".  It contains a useful table:

if it begins	it costs

06-0...		free
06-11		15 to 30 c/min		equivalent of 911
06-320...	50 c/min.
06-321...	3 to 40 c/min
06-399...	3 to 40 c/min
06-4...		free
06-5...		peak: 105 c/min		mobile telephones
		weekend: 62 c/min
06-8...		3 to 40 c/min
06-9...		50 c/min.

All prices are approximate.  For one thing, the real price is 1
message unit (15 c) per X seconds.  Plus, they reserve the right to
change the tariff without prior notice.

There is no 06-[3589] blocking for residential customers.  They do
provide 06-blocking for PBXs.  This also blocks 06-11.

Next time I'll tell you about the night when PTT Telecom intended to
demonstrate that 06 was also usable as the choke exchange and found
out the hard way that it was not.

All typos are mine,


Hans Mulder	hansm@cs.kun.nl