luria@ucbvax.ARPA (Marc Luria) (01/30/85)
The last few times I've called overseas the operator, I still can't dial direct from my exchange, has said "Thank you for calling ATT International". Is there any other service at this time? MCI? Sprint? If so, which countries do they reach and how do thier rates and quality compare?
rjw@ptsfc.UUCP (Rod Williams) (01/31/85)
> The last few times I've called overseas the operator, I still can't dial > direct from my exchange, has said "Thank you for calling ATT International". > Is there any other service at this time? MCI? Sprint? If so, which countries > do they reach and how do thier rates and quality compare? As far as I know, AT&T is still the only international carrier, but I saw a MCI ad a few weeks ago saying that they would be starting a limited international service later in the year - I don't know when, which countries, or how their prices/service will compare. As for your other point about non-availability of international direct dial service: it may be your phone number, rather than your exchange, at fault here. I discovered that IDD is only available to numbers with *special feature* capability - i.e. Call-Forwarding, Call-Waiting, 3-Way-Calling - and that those numbers, being limited, are generally only given to subscribers who buy one or more of those features. If you think IDD would be a useful feature, you might consider it worthwhile to change your number - I found it a big money-saver in the long run. And 3-Way-Calling is nifty too! (No flames just 'cos I work for Pac Bell :-)) -- rod williams ------------------------------------------- [decvax!decwrl!amdcad!dual!ptsfa!ptsfc!rjw]
mfs@mhuxr.UUCP (SIMON) (02/01/85)
> As for your other point about non-availability of international direct > dial service: it may be your phone number, rather than your exchange, > at fault here. I discovered that IDD is only available to numbers with > *special feature* capability - i.e. Call-Forwarding, Call-Waiting, > 3-Way-Calling - and that those numbers, being limited, are generally > only given to subscribers who buy one or more of those features. If you > think IDD would be a useful feature, you might consider it worthwhile > to change your number - I found it a big money-saver in the long run. > > rod williams It is definitely the exchange. It has to do with the exchange having or not having automatic wink start trunks to 4ESS. If it does not or if it can only talk to 4AXB exchanges, you have to go through TSPS, i.e. the operator. You also do not have to have special features to get IDDD capability (I don't, for one). And finally, if you know the entire calling sequence (Area code, country code, city code if applicable as well as the phone number you are trying to call :-), you will *not* be charged operator assisted rates if your exchange does not have IDDD. If you are, you should flame AT&T-C. Marcel Simon
luria@ucbvax.ARPA (Marc Luria) (02/01/85)
In article <286@ptsfc.UUCP> rjw@ptsfc.UUCP (Rod Williams) writes: > > As for your other point about non-availability of international direct > dial service: it may be your phone number, rather than your exchange, > at fault here. I discovered that IDD is only available to numbers with > *special feature* capability - i.e. Call-Forwarding, Call-Waiting, > 3-Way-Calling - and that those numbers, being limited, are generally > only given to subscribers who buy one or more of those features. If you > think IDD would be a useful feature, you might consider it worthwhile > to change your number - I found it a big money-saver in the long run. Just wanted to clear up one point. Those numbers which do not have the capability for International Direct Dial, can call the operator as long as the connection is station to station, and are charged the same amount as Direct Dial. The only disadvantage of this is that it takes a few seconds longer, but sometimes it turns out to be advantageous if the lines are busy, sometimes the operator has given me information as to the reason why.
ed@mtxinu.UUCP (Ed Gould) (02/02/85)
> As far as I know, AT&T is still the only international carrier, but > I saw a MCI ad a few weeks ago saying that they would be starting a > limited international service later in the year - I don't know when, > which countries, or how their prices/service will compare. Sprint has service to Canada, which they started several months ago. The quality is the same as within the US, as far as my experience goes. -- Ed Gould mt Xinu, 739 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94710 USA {ucbvax,decvax}!mtxinu!ed +1 415 644 0146