Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Path: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!ucbvax!telecom
From: OLE@SRI-NIC.ARPA (Ole Jorgen Jacobsen)
Newsgroups: mod.telecom
Subject: Pulse metering
Message-ID: <12178098214.16.OLE@SRI-NIC.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 25-Jan-86 13:11:28 EST
Article-I.D.: SRI-NIC.12178098214.16.OLE
Posted: Sat Jan 25 13:11:28 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 27-Jan-86 07:57:11 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 28
Approved: telecom@xx.lcs.mit.edu


The pulse metering method used in the UK (as described by Lauren) is
used to the customers advantage in payphones where "you pays for what
you gets" (as the old saying goes). When you make a long-distance or
international call, the pulse rate changes, so that your 5 or 10 pence
doesn't last as long, BUT you can still make a call anywhere which is
nice. I hate having to deposit huge amounts for the "initial 3
minutes", when I make 20 second calls to say "I have arrived" or
whatever from US payphones. (Example: San Francisco to Palo Alto:
$.45, or New York to Barbados: $6.20).

The latest in pay-phones in the UK is the PhoneCard, you buy cards
which come in various values, 20 units, 40 units and so on.  (One
"unit" = 10 pence). These cards are used on special phones which
display the remaining units on your card (I believe they are stored
magnetically). Again you pay for what you get and you're not faced
with additional calling card or credit card overhead charges. Best of
all, you don't need change!

While I favor itemized billing, don't forget that it costs a great
deal of money to install that type of billing equipment and that
the operating conditions have not been as "market driven" in the
UK as they have in the US. Things are changing however and you
*can* get itemized billing in certain areas of the country.


Ole
-------