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From: jhc@mtune.att.COM (Jonathan Clark)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Why can't the world call 800 numbers?
Message-ID: <8708211902.AA04034@mtune.ATT.COM>
Date: Fri, 21-Aug-87 19:02:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtune.8708211902.AA04034
Posted: Fri Aug 21 19:02:53 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Aug-87 15:01:47 EDT
References: <1576@botter.cs.vu.nl> <2801@hoptoad.uucp>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: mtune!jhc%RUTGERS.EDU@buit1.bu.edu (Jonathan Clark)
Distribution: world
Organization: AT&T ISL Middletown NJ USA
Lines: 28
Approved: telecom@buit1.bu.edu
Summary: They can, well bits of the world can anyway

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

Well, I'm not in the POTS bit of AT&T, but large pieces of the world can
call 800 numbers. AT&T periodically puts out bulletins about 'International
800 service is now available to...'. The trouble is that having an
internationally-diallable 800 number costs the person paying for the number
more money upfront plus more money per call (I think), and typically they
decide that this isn't worth it. It's the same deal (fundamentally) as
having in-state only 800 numbers.

I believe that it also costs less to have an *out-of-state* only 800 number,
(which is why you see 'call 800-123 4567, in Nebraska call 987 6543')
but don't quote me on that. I have no idea of the exact tariffs involved.
-- 
Jonathan Clark
[NAC,attmail]!mtune!jhc

An Englishman never enjoys himself except for some noble purpose.