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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!carlson
From: carlson@ssc-vax.UUCP (Lee R Carlson)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: long distance companies (info requested), an anecdote
Message-ID: <411@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 11:24:59 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.411
Posted: Thu Dec 12 11:24:59 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Dec-85 23:38:38 EST
References: <213@bbncc5.UUCP> <385@sdcc13.UUCP> <947@osu-eddie.UUCP> <209@cdstar.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA
Lines: 39

*** REPLACE THIS LINE OR IT WILL BE REPLACED FOR YOU ***

Our exchange has not been "equal accessed" yet.  We have had SBS Skyline for
a couple of years now.  All in all, the service and fidelity are adequate.
Occasionally it sounds like our calls are routed through a third-world
country, but you get what you pay for.

The anecdote is in SBS's rate structure and it's changes.

On billing increments:

	1983 - "SBS charges by 6 second intervals!  You'll save Big Bucks
		on calls that last 65 seconds!  Ma Bell would charge you
		for 2 WHOLE minutes..."

	1984 - "SBS has made an important change.  Due to the hassles of
		6-second billing increments, SBS charges will now be based
		on a 30-second algorithm.  You'll still save BIG BUCKS on calls
		that last 65 seconds ..."

	1985 - "SBS has adopted the INDUSTRY STANDARD 60-second billing
		interval.  We will be better able to serve you because we
		now rip you off JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY ..."

On calling zones:

	1983 - 3 rates based on time of day only.

	1984 - 3 rates based on time of day + continental and coast to coast
	       rates.

	1985 - 3 rates based on time of day + 4 or 5 zones + this + that.

I suppose everyone else is the same ...
-- 

					-- Lee Carlson
					-- Boeing Errorspace, Seattle
					...{uw-beaver|fluke}!ssc-vax!carlson