dleibold@attmail.com (06/03/91)
Brian Crawford <crawford@enuxha.eas.asu.edu> asks:
> Is "950" carrier access available FROM Canada (B.C. specifically)?
The straight 950 prefix (or 10xxx for that matter) doesn't operate in
Canada ... yet. However, that prefix seems to be reserved for eventual
carrier access. Some payphones and switches have been found to treat
the 10xxx syntax properly (though only a recording comes on at this
point).
In the meantime, MCI can be reached from Canada via their 1 800
950.1022 number, while Sprint's 1 800 877.8000 number worked from
Toronto in recent times. These are available only to those who have
active billing with these carriers (such as US residents, or Canadians
who move to Florida :->).
Information about other carriers (Allnet, Metromedia/ITT, etc) is
unknown as I didn't have their 800 access numbers.
U.S.-bound calls seem to default to AT&T when dialing 1+ out of
Canada. At least directory assistance calls to California are greeted
with thanks for using AT&T. Also, payphones that take cards (which are
not too common) will accept AT&T's card, along with Canadian telco
cards, Visa, MC, and Amex. It's a good bet that dialing the card
number (ie. 0 + area code + number <boing> card #) will accept the
AT&T cards.
Now if the CRTC (Canadian regulator) can open up 10xxx at least for
the U.S.- bound calls from Canada. It shouldn't matter to the Telecom
Canada folks once the call crosses the border. The concern seems to be
use of U.S. carriers to make calls from one Canadian point to another,
cutting Bell Canada, Unitel, etc out.
BTW ... does anyone know if the calling number is passed along when a
950 is dialed, or does the carrier completely rely on the called
number and the card number with this?
David Leibold dleibold@attmail.com
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