Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: alonzo@microsoft.UUCP (Alonzo Gariepy)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Free Local Phone Calls
Message-ID: <2649@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 6 Jan 90 09:26:11 GMT
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Reply-To: alonzo@microsoft.UUCP (Alonzo GARIEPY)
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 10, message 7 of 13


In article <2580@accuvax.nwu.edu> malcolm@apple.com writes:

> The Freephone concept involves distinctively marked, coinless public
> telephones that allow anyone to make free three-minute local calls.

I view payphones as an essential public service along the lines of
mailboxes, trashcans, fire hydrants, and ...ahem, we won't mention
that...

Free local-only phones have the potential to drive pay phones out of
locations where most of the revenue is generated by 25 cent local
calls.  That includes almost everywhere but airports and hotels.  The
result is reduced service.  The 25 cents you normally pay for short
local calls justifies the existence of a full service telephone that
can be used for toll calls and longer local calls.

This also bears on the claim that a COCOT shouldn't charge ten cents
for 800 calls because they don't cost the owner anything.
Ridiculous!! The costs of a tollfree call are the same as a local call
to the owner: a monthly line cost and paying the lease on the phone.
COCOTs look much better in the long run then these free phones.

Most free things are worth what you pay.  Commercial television is a
good example.


Alonzo Gariepy			//  Think of something original to say;
alonzo@microsoft		//  endless debate is so boring...