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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!panda!talcott!wjh12!cdstar!jak
From: jak@cdstar.UUCP (Joe Konstan)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: long distance companies (info requested)
Message-ID: <209@cdstar.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Dec-85 10:02:18 EST
Article-I.D.: cdstar.209
Posted: Tue Dec 10 10:02:18 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Dec-85 04:37:23 EST
References: <213@bbncc5.UUCP> <385@sdcc13.UUCP> <947@osu-eddie.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Unisource Software Corp., Cambridge, MA
Lines: 59
Summary: More information on using multiple carriers

In article <947@osu-eddie.UUCP>, mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) writes:
> In article <385@sdcc13.UUCP> kemasa@sdcc13.UUCP (kemasa) writes:
> >I think the best solution, at least for me, is to choose AT&T, but then get
> >another company that you dial an access number to use the services, then when
> >you have problems on your cheap service you can always use AT&T which is what
> >I have had to do sometimes.  I personally like the travel codes that some of
> >the companies offer so you don't have to call collect or have alot of change.
> >It isn't as convenient to dial an access number but at least you then have a
> >choice.  If you pick another company is there any way to use AT&T?  Other
> >than going to a pay phone.  That brings up an interesting question.  If
> >the local phones are by the local phone companies are pay phones going
> >to be divided?  That would be fun, make the same call from different phones
> >and get charged different amounts!!!!
> >
> >						Kemasa.
> 
> If you select a company other than AT&T as your primary carrier, when you
> dial 1+area code+number, you will be routed through the primary carrier.
> If for some perverse reason you wish to spend more money, you may dial a 5
> digit code (invoking AT&T) and then the regular 1+area code+number.  It
> will also work in the reverse manner if your new carrier is set up as a
> secondary carrier, i.e. dial 5 digit code to invoke new carrier, just dial
> 1+ to get AT&T.  I believe that everyone gets AT&T as a secondary carrier
> automatically regardless of which company you designate to be your
> primary carrier.  (Each carrier has a different 5-digit code.)

Actually the way equal access works is that every carrier has a 3 digit
code (for instance AT&T has 288 (guess why) and MCI has 222).  To make a
call on a pecific carrier from your home phone, you can merely dial
10+<3 digit code>+1+area code+number
There are some long distance services that require you to sign up with
them in advance, but most do not.  

Your PRIMARY CARRIER, which is what all of the advertising is about, is
the only service you can use by just dialing 1+area code+number.

As far as I know, billing is the same either way.

> As for pay phones, and in fact any phone other than your own, there is an
> access number (generally starting with 950, which means that you get your
> quarter back) that you dial to get a computer tone, at which point you dial
> your Travel Code followed by the phone number you are trying to reach.  It
> is very similar to using a Bell credit card, except you can use Bell's by
> dialing a "0" instead of a local access phone number.  (NOTE: in some areas
> the 950 number doesn't work, so you have to dial a "1-800" access number.
> Involves lots of digits, but you save $$$!)

The 950 system works as mentioned not only from pay phones, but
everywhere.  TO actually use an AT&T credit card, you are supposed to
dial 0+area code+number, but I don't think that the break-up is complete
in that area yet.  

Warning:  The 1-800 numbers generally are MORE EXPENSIVE THAN the 950
ones.  Most companies attach a surcharge to the 800 calls, since they
have to pay for those lines whereas 950 lines are provided by terms of
equal access.

By the way, where has mod.telecom (the source for all of this info)
gone?