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From: gnu@hoptoad.uucp (John Gilmore)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Why can't the world call 800 numbers?
Message-ID: <2801@hoptoad.uucp>
Date: Thu, 20-Aug-87 20:12:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: hoptoad.2801
Posted: Thu Aug 20 20:12:38 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Aug-87 14:37:43 EDT
References: <1576@botter.cs.vu.nl>
Organization: Nebula Consultants in San Francisco
Lines: 20
Approved: gnu@hoptoad.uucp

[Since the Arpanet side seems to be losing, let's do it ourselves over
here on the Usenet.  Be sure to include an Approved: header or your message
will get emailed to the dead moderator. -- John]

Andy Tanenbaum asked a good question that Telecom readers might be able
to answer:

"The number is 1-800-223-1360.  

From outside the US/Canada, the number is 201-592-2000.  It drives me up the
wall that from my phone I can call every telephone in the world directly except
800 numbers in the U.S.  Since many companies publish only their 800 numbers,
it means I can't call them at all.  Was it really beyond AT'Ts capability to
arrange for 800 numbers to be free in the US/Canada, but billed at normal
rates when called from abroad, but at least make them work?

Andy Tanenbaum (ast@cs.vu.nl)"
-- 
{dasys1,ncoast,well,sun,ihnp4}!hoptoad!gnu	     gnu@postgres.berkeley.edu
My name's in the header where it belongs.