slr@tybalt.caltech.edu (Steve Rhoades) (07/21/90)
The following is an excerpt from a Pacific*Bell bill insert I received today: "The California Public Utilities Commission, on June 6, 1990, established specific rules and guidelines to standardize the pay telephone industry. "This agreement between the CPUC, local telephone companies, independent telephone owners and consumer groups assures public telephone users of similiar rates and conditions when using any pay telephone in the State of California. "After August 5, 1990, all pay telephones will be required to provide: - Basic local calls costing 20 cents (Probably limited to 1 minute :-) ) "Free access to: - 911 emergency service - 411 information service - "O" operator service - "OO" long distance operator service - 800 services (I wonder if there'll be a requirement to leave the TT pad on?) - 950 dialing ( " ) - repair service "Clear, easy-to-read signs that explain: - dialing instructions - cost and any time limits that apply - Company indentification "Local phone companies and idependent private providers of pay phones may charge 25 cents extra for completing calls that do not require coins, such as Calling Card and collect calls. "The agreement sets limits on pricing and establishes guidelines for enforcing those limits." [...] (End of quote) The bill insert doesn't specify any specific remedies if a customer should find a phone in non-compliance. Admittedly, the above does SOUND promising. This being California, I won't be holding my breath though. !Steve US mail: Post Office Box 1000, Mount Wilson, Calif. 91023 UUCP: ...elroy!tybalt!slr Internet: slr@tybalt.caltech.edu voice-mail: (818) 794-6004