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From: couric@mcgp1.uucp (Carl Couric)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Cellular Daily Roaming Surcharge $4.00 per Day?
Message-ID: <14237@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 1 Nov 90 17:28:17 GMT
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Organization: McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc., Seattle
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 782, Message 1 of 10


In article <14176@accuvax.nwu.edu> brian@apt.bungi.com (Brian
Litzinger) writes:

>My cellular phone was parked in one spot for two days out of my
>standard service area.  I made several calls each day, and I knew that
>my phone was roaming.

And so did McCaw :-) . You were using our network. You are not a
normal customer and we have to verify you against your home system.
This costs us in computer time/switch time.

>I had heard about daily service charges of $2 per day in some areas.

That's what we charge to set you up for the day into our switch.

>Well, the bill and apparently the truth has now arrived.  I don't so
>much mind the $2.00 per day charge, but two $2.00 per day charges each
>day?

We have to verify every 24 hours. Let's say you MOVED to the area and
didn't want to pay your previous carrier. We sure don't want to get
stuck with the bill, would you ;-) .

>I asked my celluar carrier about the $2.00 per day charge when my
>chart said they were no per day charges in that area.  They responded
>that I should have dialed *611 and gotten the information that was
>accurate for the particular minute is was planning to dial during 8-).

True, If you ever have a question hit 611. It is free (ie: we don't
charge), because the information to use our network should be
free.

>My phone didn't budge an inch during that day. Also, about
>half the calls I placed and was billed for failed to go through.
>So what is the deal? Do I pay?

If you do have a problem PLEASE call the Cellular One local to you. If
they can help, they will. You could also call down to the McCaw
Cellular One and see if the charges should stand. I know that here in
Florida, McCaw does not charge for incomplete calls, busy, or no
answers. That's nice considering you're using the radio spectrum to
find out if the number you want to talk to is available.

>I can't wait till they have about 40 different services in the same
>area so my roaming charge will be $80 a day! 8-)

Lets see, with just two carriers per area, you would have to scan AB
(please!), and if you were in a plane, you just might do it! 8-).

Do note that when the snow birds come down, they usually register with
us instead of paying the $2 a day. They also get a cheaper rate
compared to the roam rate. You're using another carrier's system, and
as such, that carrier is providing you a service as quickly as
possible. We verify you against your home system (and that network is
not free!). So, $2 a day is not to much if you really think about it.
Hope this helps...


Carl Couric
VAX systems manager
Florida Cellular One  (McCaw Corp).
(305) 792-2355  x543