ezf@bbncc5.UUCP (Ed Frankenberry) (12/04/85)
We recently received an "equal access ballot" from the local operating company requesting a choice of long distance carrier. Have there been any Consumer Reports type studies lately which compare these services? It would be nice to save money over the standard ATT rate, but I'm not willing to settle for flakey trunks and poor quality connections. Does billing accuracy improve with equal access, or do some carriers still charge based on a delay (whether or not the call was completed)? If you've seen any long distance surveys published recently, please send me a pointer. Or if you've had experience with these companies (many of whom I've never heard of) please let me know: Allnet, Ameritel, First Phone LINK Service, GTE/Sprint, ITT, Lexitel, MCI, SBS Skyline, TDX Systems, Telesaver, and US Telecom. Thanks in advance, Ed Frankenberry ihnp4!bbncca!ezf ezf@unix.bbn.com
daw1@mhuxl.UUCP (WILLIAMS) (12/06/85)
> We recently received an "equal access ballot" ... > ... but I'm not > willing to settle for flakey trunks and poor quality connections. Then vote for AT&T - the right choice! 1 1 1 1 2 1 Doug Williams 1 3 3 1 AT&T Bell Labs 1 4 6 4 1 Reading, PA 1 5 10 10 5 1 mhuxl!daw1 1 6 15 20 15 6 1 PS: Send flames direct to me. I miss receiving hot mail since net.flame died!
kemasa@sdcc13.UUCP (kemasa) (12/06/85)
I think the best solution, at least for me, is to choose AT&T, but then get another company that you dial an access number to use the services, then when you have problems on your cheap service you can always use AT&T which is what I have had to do sometimes. I personally like the travel codes that some of the companies offer so you don't have to call collect or have alot of change. It isn't as convenient to dial an access number but at least you then have a choice. If you pick another company is there any way to use AT&T? Other than going to a pay phone. That brings up an interesting question. If the local phones are by the local phone companies are pay phones going to be divided? That would be fun, make the same call from different phones and get charged different amounts!!!! Kemasa.
mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) (12/08/85)
In article <385@sdcc13.UUCP> kemasa@sdcc13.UUCP (kemasa) writes: >I think the best solution, at least for me, is to choose AT&T, but then get >another company that you dial an access number to use the services, then when >you have problems on your cheap service you can always use AT&T which is what >I have had to do sometimes. I personally like the travel codes that some of >the companies offer so you don't have to call collect or have alot of change. >It isn't as convenient to dial an access number but at least you then have a >choice. If you pick another company is there any way to use AT&T? Other >than going to a pay phone. That brings up an interesting question. If >the local phones are by the local phone companies are pay phones going >to be divided? That would be fun, make the same call from different phones >and get charged different amounts!!!! > > Kemasa. If you select a company other than AT&T as your primary carrier, when you dial 1+area code+number, you will be routed through the primary carrier. If for some perverse reason you wish to spend more money, you may dial a 5 digit code (invoking AT&T) and then the regular 1+area code+number. It will also work in the reverse manner if your new carrier is set up as a secondary carrier, i.e. dial 5 digit code to invoke new carrier, just dial 1+ to get AT&T. I believe that everyone gets AT&T as a secondary carrier automatically regardless of which company you designate to be your primary carrier. (Each carrier has a different 5-digit code.) As for pay phones, and in fact any phone other than your own, there is an access number (generally starting with 950, which means that you get your quarter back) that you dial to get a computer tone, at which point you dial your Travel Code followed by the phone number you are trying to reach. It is very similar to using a Bell credit card, except you can use Bell's by dialing a "0" instead of a local access phone number. (NOTE: in some areas the 950 number doesn't work, so you have to dial a "1-800" access number. Involves lots of digits, but you save $$$!) -- <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mark D. Freeman Guest account at The Ohio State University StrongPoint Systems, Inc. mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP 209 Olentangy Street Mdf@Ohio-State.CSNET Columbus, OH 43202-2340 Mdf%Ohio-State@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA !cbosgd!osu-eddie!mdf I disclaim even my existance. "Life is but a dream . . . Sh-boom" <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
smh@mhuxl.UUCP (henning) (12/09/85)
**** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA mhuxl!smh > If for some perverse reason you wish to spend more money, you may dial a 5 > digit code (invoking AT&T) and then the regular 1+area code+number. In Reading, and I assume in most areas, AT&T is actually the least expensive company for some calls some times of day, besides having all the other goodies like directory assistance, operators, operator assisted calls like person- to-person, collect, credit card, etc. Also, no company is cheapest at all times for all calls, despite what they advertise.
jak@cdstar.UUCP (Joe Konstan) (12/10/85)
In article <947@osu-eddie.UUCP>, mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) writes: > In article <385@sdcc13.UUCP> kemasa@sdcc13.UUCP (kemasa) writes: > >I think the best solution, at least for me, is to choose AT&T, but then get > >another company that you dial an access number to use the services, then when > >you have problems on your cheap service you can always use AT&T which is what > >I have had to do sometimes. I personally like the travel codes that some of > >the companies offer so you don't have to call collect or have alot of change. > >It isn't as convenient to dial an access number but at least you then have a > >choice. If you pick another company is there any way to use AT&T? Other > >than going to a pay phone. That brings up an interesting question. If > >the local phones are by the local phone companies are pay phones going > >to be divided? That would be fun, make the same call from different phones > >and get charged different amounts!!!! > > > > Kemasa. > > If you select a company other than AT&T as your primary carrier, when you > dial 1+area code+number, you will be routed through the primary carrier. > If for some perverse reason you wish to spend more money, you may dial a 5 > digit code (invoking AT&T) and then the regular 1+area code+number. It > will also work in the reverse manner if your new carrier is set up as a > secondary carrier, i.e. dial 5 digit code to invoke new carrier, just dial > 1+ to get AT&T. I believe that everyone gets AT&T as a secondary carrier > automatically regardless of which company you designate to be your > primary carrier. (Each carrier has a different 5-digit code.) Actually the way equal access works is that every carrier has a 3 digit code (for instance AT&T has 288 (guess why) and MCI has 222). To make a call on a pecific carrier from your home phone, you can merely dial 10+<3 digit code>+1+area code+number There are some long distance services that require you to sign up with them in advance, but most do not. Your PRIMARY CARRIER, which is what all of the advertising is about, is the only service you can use by just dialing 1+area code+number. As far as I know, billing is the same either way. > As for pay phones, and in fact any phone other than your own, there is an > access number (generally starting with 950, which means that you get your > quarter back) that you dial to get a computer tone, at which point you dial > your Travel Code followed by the phone number you are trying to reach. It > is very similar to using a Bell credit card, except you can use Bell's by > dialing a "0" instead of a local access phone number. (NOTE: in some areas > the 950 number doesn't work, so you have to dial a "1-800" access number. > Involves lots of digits, but you save $$$!) The 950 system works as mentioned not only from pay phones, but everywhere. TO actually use an AT&T credit card, you are supposed to dial 0+area code+number, but I don't think that the break-up is complete in that area yet. Warning: The 1-800 numbers generally are MORE EXPENSIVE THAN the 950 ones. Most companies attach a surcharge to the 800 calls, since they have to pay for those lines whereas 950 lines are provided by terms of equal access. By the way, where has mod.telecom (the source for all of this info) gone?
mazlack@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Lawrence J. &) (12/10/85)
>> We recently received an "equal access ballot" ... >> ... but I'm not >> willing to settle for flakey trunks and poor quality connections. > > Then vote for AT&T - the right choice! > > > 1 > 1 1 > 1 2 1 Doug Williams That would be nice, if true. Here in Berkeley, my AT&T line is very noisy. ...Larry Mazlack
mazlack@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Lawrence J. &) (12/10/85)
>I think the best solution, at least for me, is to choose AT&T, but then get >another company that you dial an access number to use the services, then when > Kemasa. That is what I do. AT&T is brutally expensive - but the only way I can call Europe. So, I almost never use them internally. ...Larry Mazlack
avinash@drusd.UUCP (VashisthaA) (12/11/85)
I don't find much difference in the cost of
edg@micropro.UUCP (Ed Greenberg) (12/11/85)
In article <947@osu-eddie.UUCP> mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) writes: >As for pay phones, and in fact any phone other than your own, there is an >access number (generally starting with 950, which means that you get your >quarter back) that you dial to get a computer tone, at which point you dial >your Travel Code followed by the phone number you are trying to reach. > ... > (NOTE: in some areas >the 950 number doesn't work, so you have to dial a "1-800" access number. >Involves lots of digits, but you save $$$!) > >Mark D. Freeman With SOME Long Distance carriers, the 800 number is more expensive than the 950 (or other local access) number. In fact, one carrier cautions you that their 800 number is only cost effective over AT&T credit card for calls of a certain duration. Summary... Be careful. When we get Equal Access, I will select my Alternate LD Carrier for my primary, so long as I can get direct dial rates on AT&T with the 10xxx code. If I have to pay credit card rates from my own home for AT&T I will keep them for my primary and use 10xxx for reaching my alternate (in 90% of the cases.) I will probably keep AT&T as the primary on my modem line. -e -- Ed Greenberg; MicroPro International Corp. (disclaimer) UUCP: {hplabs,ptsfa,glacier,lll-crg}!well!micropro!edg {ucbvax,decwrl}!dual!micropro!edg AT&T: 415-499-4096
roger@celtics.UUCP (Roger Klorese) (12/12/85)
In article <385@sdcc13.UUCP> kemasa@sdcc13.UUCP (kemasa) writes: >I think the best solution, at least for me, is to choose AT&T, but then get >another company that you dial an access number to use the services, then when >you have problems on your cheap service you can always use AT&T which is what >I have had to do sometimes. I personally like the travel codes that some of >the companies offer so you don't have to call collect or have alot of change. >It isn't as convenient to dial an access number but at least you then have a >choice. If you pick another company is there any way to use AT&T? Other >than going to a pay phone. That brings up an interesting question. If >the local phones are by the local phone companies are pay phones going >to be divided? That would be fun, make the same call from different phones >and get charged different amounts!!!! > > Kemasa. You may access AT&T if your primary service is another one (mine is MCI) by dialing: 10288-<1-or-0>-<areacode>-<number> It will be billed through your local Baby Bell. -- ... "What were you expecting, rock'n'roll?" Roger B.A. Klorese Celerity Computing, 40 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, (617) 872-1772 UUCP: seismo!harvard!bu-cs!celtics!roger ARPA: celtics!roger@bu-cs.ARPA
daw1@mhuxl.UUCP (WILLIAMS) (12/12/85)
> > I don't find much difference in the cost of The above is the whole article that arrived here. [At least I can quote the whole article and not get flamed :-)] This is what happens on el-cheapo lines! :-) Doug @ The Right Choice [To any knuckleheads reading this: note those smiley faces]
alvitar@madhat.UUCP (12/12/85)
In article <385@sdcc13.UUCP> kemasa@sdcc13.UUCP (kemasa) writes: > If you pick another company is there any way to use AT&T? Other > than going to a pay phone. That brings up an interesting question. > If the local phones are by the local phone companies are pay phones > going to be divided? > Kemasa. I consult for a company which builds equal access conversion equipment and a front end for a multi-carrier credit card telephone system, so I have followed this subject closely. As I understand, the ruling handed down from Judge Greene [greene@bellbusters :-)] specified a universal dialing format as follows. This plan is not presently being used by BellSouth but they tell me it will be used in the future. [1 or 0 or 10ccc +] [aaa+] nnn-nnnn , where: [1] = prefix for unassisted direct dialing [0] = prefix for operator assisted direct dialing [10] = prefix for direct dialing using a specific long distance carrier. [ccc] = Three digit carrier number [aaa] = Area code Each long distance carrier has a unique three digit carrier code which will be the same anywhere in the USA. The code for AT&T is 288, so if you were presubscribed to Sprint, you could still dial Time and Temp in Memphis via AT&T by dialing 10288-9015265261. All intra-LATA calls are presently handled by your local operating company (LOC) although this may change in the future. Inter-LATA calls must be handled by an "other comman carrier" or OCC, and an LOC can not also be an OCC. Some LOCs will allow their customers to presubscribe to the carrier of their choice. When a carrier is not explicitly specified (normal 1+ dialing), the LOC should route inter-LATA calls through this predesignated carrier. The ruling requires that an LOC must provide this service for all carriers if it is provided for any carrier. The same carrier codes are used at pay phones, but with a 9501 prefix, so to access AT&T from a pay phone anywhere in the USA, you would dial 950-1288. This number, referred to as a point-of-presence (POP), is already used by several credit card phone systems (including the one we build). Calling the POP from a pay phone is usually free since most LOCs require the OCC to pay an access charge for use of the local networks. My understanding is that the LOC is forbidden to own any subscriber equipment (why you now may rent your phone from AT&T). Technically this includes pay phones, but I think an exception was made to let the LOCs own them. You can of course buy and install your own pay phone, and so can any of the OCCs. AT&T and MCI are doing just that. [And now for the obligatory joke. What? This isn't net.jokes? :-)] The following is a bit of post-divesture humor, seen on a bulletin board in a Memphis CO (our beta site for a credit card phone) during the summer of `84. The author is unknown, but probably not a member of the Judge Greene fan club. :-) The two largest bureacracies in America are the federal government and the Bell System. One has given us the telephone, the transistor, direct dialing anywhere in the USA, and is quite profitable. The other has given us the depression, the Vietnam war, Social Security, double digit inflation, and is almost two trillion dollars in debt. So who is telling the other how to run their business? ---- Live: Phil Harbison, DataVision Mail: 3409 Grassfort Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805 Uucp: {ihnp4,clyde,sdcsvax}!akgua!madhat!alvitar Bell: 205-881-4317
carlson@ssc-vax.UUCP (Lee R Carlson) (12/12/85)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE OR IT WILL BE REPLACED FOR YOU ***
Our exchange has not been "equal accessed" yet. We have had SBS Skyline for
a couple of years now. All in all, the service and fidelity are adequate.
Occasionally it sounds like our calls are routed through a third-world
country, but you get what you pay for.
The anecdote is in SBS's rate structure and it's changes.
On billing increments:
1983 - "SBS charges by 6 second intervals! You'll save Big Bucks
on calls that last 65 seconds! Ma Bell would charge you
for 2 WHOLE minutes..."
1984 - "SBS has made an important change. Due to the hassles of
6-second billing increments, SBS charges will now be based
on a 30-second algorithm. You'll still save BIG BUCKS on calls
that last 65 seconds ..."
1985 - "SBS has adopted the INDUSTRY STANDARD 60-second billing
interval. We will be better able to serve you because we
now rip you off JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY ..."
On calling zones:
1983 - 3 rates based on time of day only.
1984 - 3 rates based on time of day + continental and coast to coast
rates.
1985 - 3 rates based on time of day + 4 or 5 zones + this + that.
I suppose everyone else is the same ...
--
-- Lee Carlson
-- Boeing Errorspace, Seattle
...{uw-beaver|fluke}!ssc-vax!carlsonrp321@uiucuxa.CSO.UIUC.EDU (12/13/85)
/* Written 7:53 pm Dec 11, 1985 by daw1@mhuxl.UUCP in uiucuxa:net.consumers */ > > I don't find much difference in the cost of The above is the whole article that arrived here. [At least I can quote the whole article and not get flamed :-)] This is what happens on el-cheapo lines! :-) Doug @ The Right Choice [To any knuckleheads reading this: note those smiley faces] /* End of text from uiucuxa:net.consumers */ Maybe the line eater has mutated again! Ah, the "Right Choice's" wonderful software! :-) Russell J. Price University of Illinois { ihnp4, pur-ee, convex }!uiucdcs!uiucuxa!rp321 rp321@uiucuxa.CSO.UIUC.EDU Disclaimer: the above address will not be valid pretty soon... the semester's ending....