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From: sl@van-bc.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Why can't the world call 800 numbers?
Message-ID: <1253@van-bc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Aug-87 14:22:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: van-bc.1253
Posted: Fri Aug 21 14:22:37 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Aug-87 15:01:25 EDT
References: <1576@botter.cs.vu.nl> <2801@hoptoad.uucp>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: van-bc!sl%uunet.UU.NET@buit1.bu.edu (Stuart Lynne)
Distribution: world
Organization: Public Access Network, Vancouver, BC.
Lines: 29
Approved: telecom@buit1.bu.edu


In article <2801@hoptoad.uucp> gnu@hoptoad.uucp (John Gilmore) writes:

>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?

Actually AT&T at least does have 800 numbers in Canada, that usually connect
to the same place. Unfortunately there are two problems:

	1. They are different
	2. They don't advertise them as effectively as the US ones

For example to order my copies of the SYSVID all I had was the 800 number in
the US. Through a bit of phone tag with various 555-1212 directory services
in that part of the US I came up with a generic number for AT&T. They were
able to give me the phone number to call to order. When I called them they
said "oh, you don't have our 800 number in Canda?". They gave it to me, I
called back on that.

Interesting note, newer versions of the SYSVID now include the Canadian 800
number as well.


-- 
{ihnp4!alberta!ubc-vision,uunet}!van-bc!Stuart.Lynne Vancouver,BC,604-937-7532