covert@covert.enet.dec.com (John R. Covert 15-Mar-1991 1524) (03/16/91)
> I do not believe Rochester Tel has any agreements with PacTel or > Cellular One. According to the Cellular Telephone Directory published by Communications Publishing Service in Seattle (orders taken at 800 366-6731), Rochester Telephone Mobile Communications has a roaming agreement with PacTel Cellular. There is no "Cellular One" in L.A.; the "A" carrier is "Los Angeles Cellular Telephone", which has one of the shortest lists of roaming agreements of any cellular carrier in the book. PacTel's roaming rates are not bad, but the last time I was out there they were one of the lousy companies I'll never make LD calls on, because I won't DTMF my calling card number over the air. Both L.A. carriers charge 1/2 minute of airtime for all incomplete calls. In fact, in California, the PUC has determined that rates will be identical for both carriers in L.A. These rates are $50 signup (the PacTel Rep I spoke to on 800 851-9815 was somewhat uncertain about that) and $45/month with .45 peak and .27 off-peak. Peak is 7a-7p. There's also an off-peak plan for $25/month with peak at .90 and off-peak at .20. If you're going to use the phone mostly off-peak and don't care about the no-long-distance calls except by credit card problem, roaming rates are no daily fee, peak .70 and off-peak .27. john