clark@ssc-vax.UUCP (Roger Clark Swann) (11/18/86)
This is a quick report on how the 10xxx (Alt LD access) service is working here in the PNW. About a month ago I placed some long distance calls, experimenting with the 10xxx access codes that were discussed here. This past weekend, I received my regular bill from Pacific Northwest Bell and sure enough there were additional sheets from each LD carrier that I had used, (i.e. one for ATT, one for MCI, etc.). In previous discussions here, it was unclear how users would be billed. In the case of PNB customers, the billing is done through the local tel-co with no apparent problems. NOTE: I did not have accounts established with any of the LD carriers that I tried, ( where ATT is my primary LD carrier ). I have been getting many calls and junk mail from the various LD carriers over the last 6 months. Each time I looked for or asked about being able to use the carrier's service WITHOUT having to make them my primary LD carrier. The answer has been almost a unanimous NO WAY! The remaining answers went something like - I don't think so..... The other thing that I try to ask - Will my local teleco charge me for changing my primary LD carrier ? Several times the answer was Oh no, there is no charge! However, at one time PNB was charging $25 to change the primary LD carrier, (I don't know what they charge now.) I will be doing more comparisons between the LD carriers in the future, looking for the best quality/price ..... If anyone has an updated access code list for the LD carriers, it would be good of you to post it, since there have been some changes recently. (i.e GTE Sprint and US telecom (I think) combined to form US Sprint ) roger uw-beaver!ssc-vax!clark [New lists are posted to Telecom from time to time. -Elmo]