Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!pyrdc!netsys!vector!telecom-gateway From: Kenneth_R_Jongsma@cup.portal.com Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Overseas 800/900 Access Message-ID: Date: 26 Apr 89 14:49:50 GMT Sender: news@vector.Dallas.TX.US Lines: 19 Approved: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 148, message 10 of 11 Regarding the question if overseas callers can reach 800 and 900 service (area code) numbers in the US. The answer is no. Since 800 and 900 service is mapped to an undialable trunk number, there is no dialable equivilent. Now, there are a couple of caveats: First: AT&T is offering a new 800 service for low volume users where they will "forward" 800 calls to your basic local number. Obviously, if you know the local number, you can dial direct and pay the usual rates. Second: USA Direct is not as direct as they advertise. I needed to call United Airlines to reconfirm a flight from Austrailia. Since the local office was closed, I thought "No Problem, I'll just call back to the US and ask the AT&T operator to give me United's US 800 number. I realize I will have to pay the overseas rate, but at least they can connect me." Wrong. Even though AT&T advertises USA Direct as getting connected to an AT&T operator _in the US_, she stated she could not dial the 800 number. I had to get a local Chicago number for her to dial. Ken