Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!bellcore!rutgers!mailrus!ames!netsys!vector!nobody From: USEREAFJ%mts.rpi.edu@itsgw.rpi.edu (Doug Scott) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: (none) Message-ID: Date: 25 Oct 88 05:46:38 GMT Sender: chip@vector.UUCP Lines: 33 Approved: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-Submissions-To: telecom@bu-cs.bu.edu (TELECOM Digest Coordinator) X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.uucp (USENET Telecom Moderator) X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 8, issue 166, message 1 Hello everyone! - One quick question: How are directory assistance (DA) calls handled in one state but between two separate LATA's? - I was under the impression that the Bell Operating Company (or whatever GTE/Telecom/etc.) was allowed to handle those calls, as well as certain types of 'customer service' calls such as the 811 system with Pac*Bell. - Yet recently I tried to make a calling card call from White Plains (area code 914) to Albany (area codes 518) which are both served by New York Telephone, but are in two different LATA's. When you make any sort of In-State DA call from a payphone, all such calls are free (both intra- and inter-LATA, as long as they are in the same state), and hence I assumed that they were handled by the local Bell. But when I was in White Plains, I was at a friend's house, and had to make a Calling Card call so he wouldn't be charged. I dialed 0+518-555-1212, entered my card, and got "Thank you for using AT&T"! A few days later, I tried calling from Ludlow, Mass (near Springfield, area code 403) to Weymouth, Mass (617), which are also in two separate LATA's. I dialed 617-555-1212 for DA in Weymouth, and also got "Thank you for using AT&T". - I assume this means that AT&T carriers these calls, but the question is why? Does AT&T pick up the tab for these calls from payphones? If so, can I also dial 10333+1+617-555-1212 from Western Mass and have Sprint do the same? - I'd appreciate any info on this, and I'll summarize any responses mailed to me. - Thanks, -Doug