Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mit-eddie!ll-xn!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!XX.LCS.MIT.EDU!LENOIL From: LENOIL@XX.LCS.MIT.EDU Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Charges for "unlisting" Message-ID: Date: Fri, 23-Oct-87 02:09:00 EST Article-I.D.: XX.LENOIL.12344690313.BABYL Posted: Fri Oct 23 02:09:00 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 25-Oct-87 22:39:31 EST References: Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The ARPA Internet Lines: 18 Approved: telecom@xx.lcs.mit.edu >Now, though, the situation is changed. The telcos make money from calls >to Information/Diretory Assistance! They charge for most (or all) of such >calls, so they should be happy to have vast numbers of "unlisted" >subscribers generating extra revenue via fruitless Information calls. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that you are not charged for directory assistance if the number you seek is unlisted. Therefore, the old telco justification for charging subscribers for being unlisted still stands. However, if you want a good example of a service that we shouldn't be charged extra for, try touch tone on for size. Touch tone calls are dialed faster, and therefore take up less of the central office's processing time. Perhaps back in the Stroger or crossbar days it made sense to charge extra to cover the cost of installing touch tone dialing equipment, but for ESS offices, people should really pay extra for *pulse*. This would have the additional benefit of hastening the demise of antiquated pulse equipment. Robert LenoiSt