Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!ll-xn!mit-eddie!bloom-beacon!delni.DEC.COM!goldstein
From: goldstein@delni.DEC.COM (Fred R. Goldstein dtn226-7388)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: re: TOLLS/LOCAL CALLS?
Message-ID: <8805171503.AA23889@decwrl.dec.com>
Date: 17 May 88 14:29:00 GMT
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Following up to a query from our friend in Wales (?),

In the US (as in many other countries, I'm sure), there are separate 
local tariffs for business and residential telephones.  In most urban 
areas, business phones are charged measured rates while residential 
phones are allowed flat rates.  In most rural areas, flat rates prevail.
And there are lots of "optional" plans.  Local rates are set by state 
regulators who approve telco proposals, so there are many, many 
variations.

A few examples and exceptions:

In New York City, there are no flat rates, period.  There are two 
message plans that residential users can subscribe to.  One charges by 
the call, untimed, the other times calls.  The untimed plan has a 
slightly higher rate than the first-five-minutes charge of the timed 
plan.  These include time-of-day rates, so (I don't have exact numbers) 
timed day calls are about 7.5c for the first minute and 1.1c for 
additional minutes; late-night calls are about 3c for the first minute 
and 0.2c for additional minutes.  Untimed calls are about 8.5 and 4c 
each.  This is within the "primary" band (8 miles?); higher rates apply 
for longer distances within the NYC metro area.  Still, intra-metro 
rates are lower than "toll" rates.

In California, most residential users get flat rates, but can get 
measured rates for a lower monthly fee.  Businesses are measured (at 
least in metro areas).  The usage charge is banded, with intra-exchange, 
adjacent-exchange and nearby-exchange rates.  Then there's toll, which 
applies even within some metro areas if it's far enough.

In Massachusetts, all residential users are allowed flat rates, but can 
get measured rate for a lower monthly fee.  Businesses, however, get 
measured rates ONLY if their local calling area exceeds 160,000 or so 
phones.  Otherwise (non-metro) they can get flat rates.  Within Boston, 
there are three bands, 1MU to 3MU, based on 8, 12 and 16 mile radii.
All message rates are timed.  Residential flat rate options in Boston 
Metro include:

	Contiguous:  Free to your own and adjacent exchanges only.
	Suburban:  Free to all of Metro except Boston Central.
	Metropoloitan:  Free to all of Metro.
	Circle: Free within 20 miles radius (not offered everywhere)
	*Measured Circle:  Discounted within 20 miles.
	*Bay State:  Discounted (except weekday mornings) anywhere 
		within Eastern/Central Mass., includes Metro.

* these rates are also offered as supplementary to basic service.
Yes, it's VERY confusing.

In Denver and Atlanta, businesses and residences alike can get flat 
rates for the entire metro area (50 miles or so across).

In New Jersey (typical of many), businesses are measured, residences
are usually free for a small radius, but for a fee (per exchange or per 
band) residences can "buy" extended free calling areas.

Confused?  So's everyone else.  The telcos mostly want to force everyone 
to go measured, but the people (and their government) generally resist, 
so residential customers usually get reprieved.
       fred