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From: mcb@presto.ig.com (Michael C. Berch)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Are Cellular Calls Free to Landline Customers, or Not?
Message-ID: <14638@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 12 Nov 90 10:28:06 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 816, Message 4 of 9


I have read, from time to time, messages in TELECOM Digest which
assert that it is supposed to be toll-free for a landline telephone
subscriber with flat-rate service to call any cellular subscriber in
whatever the regional cellular calling area is supposed to be.  The
only charge is airtime to the cellular subscriber.

Indeed, I call a particular cellular subscriber often (a member of my
staff) and have never been charged, either from my home or office.  (I
assume the office calls, being business service, are billed as Zone
1.)  However, last month I called him from a coin phone (PacBell, not
a COCOT) and was told the call was not free.  I provided a calling
card number and was connected.  Afterward, I dialed the PacBell
operator, explained my impression of the tariff, and asked for credit.
She demurred, but I convinced a supervisor (or so I thought) and was
toldI would get credit.  Needless to say, there was no credit on my
next bill, and the call was charged as a standard call to an Oakland
NXX.

Can anyone shed some light on this?  Does it matter with whom the
cellular customer has a contract (out here, GTE Mobilnet vs. Cellular
One)?  Are coin phones treated differently than normal residential or
business service?


Michael C. Berch  
mcb@presto.ig.com / uunet!presto.ig.com!mcb / ames!bionet!mcb


[Moderator's Note: In Chicago, calls to cellular numbers are 'local'
calls, meaning one untimed unit charge applies from residence phones.
From IBT payphones you still pay 25 cents.  PAT]