<tim@maggot.gg.caltech.edu> (09/24/90)
I read in this group that Around Town calls are no longer free of
surcharge, but cost 25c per call surcharge. I asked an MCI
representative if that is the case, and she confirmed it.
I recently listened to the information available on MCI's information
line (+1 800 444 4444) ....
"The unique money saving feature ... is called
Around Town. ...can save you up to 80c on every
card call. ...Around Town savings means that
your calls are free of normal..."
I had kept replaying the message to get the actual wording. After
awhile, the computer must have tired of talking to me and handed me
off to a live person (:-D). I asked her why the message claimed there
was no surcharge for Aound Town, and she said that AROUND TOWN IS
STILL FREE OF SURCHARGE IF YOU CALL FROM WITHIN A FEW FEET of your own
house. Does anybody know if this is really the case? Can MCI
distinguish actual distances within a single prefix? I guess I'll
have to watch my phone bill closely.
(I use the feature even from my own home to avoid outrageously high
PacBell intra-lata long distance charges. I can't dial 10xxx because
PacBell blocks that for intra-lata calls. The absense of a surcharge
on the 950-1022 calls was a convenient work-around.)
Tim
[Moderator's Note: Did she say 'from within a few feet' or was that a
typographical error on your part? From within a few feet would entitle
one to use their cordless phone in the backyard, I guess. When I
called the recording just now, it made reference to 'within your local
calling area', which I assume means your toll-free area. Why don't you
call again and ask a live human-being there for more specifics. PAT]