dhk@teletech.uucp (Don H Kemp) (12/20/89)
More Propoganda from the Mother of all Bells :-)
FOR RELEASE TUESDAY, DEC. 19, 1989
WASHINGTON -- AT&T today said it plans to lower prices by $300
million annually on interstate and international long- distance
services used primarily by consumers and small business customers.
The price decrease would take effect Jan. 1, 1990, and apply to
AT&T's basic long-distance service, most international calls and Reach
Out(R) America, the company's optional long-distance plan for
consumers.
The decrease, AT&T's 10th since 1984, would bring total reductions
in long-distance prices to 40 percent in the six years since the
breakup of the Bell System. When the Jan. 1 decrease takes effect, a
10-minute AT&T call, at any time of day to anywhere in the continental
United States, will cost $2.50 or less. Placed during the
night/weekend calling period, such a call will cost $1.32 or less.
The price cuts, filed late Monday with the Federal Communications
Commission, reflect reduced expenses, primarily from lower fees AT&T
will pay in 1990 to local telephone companies for access to customers'
lines. Under FCC guidelines, those cost savings lower the "price cap"
on AT&T long-distance services.
AT&T's proposal includes:
o A 1.3 percent drop in prices for basic long-distance
service during the weekday calling period (8 a.m. to
5 p.m. Monday through Friday) and a 2 percent drop during
the evening calling period (5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday
through Friday).
o Greater discounts for subscribers to the Reach Out
America 24-Hour plan. Customers of the plan will receive
a 10 percent discount, up from 5 percent, on weekday
calls, and a 25 percent discount, up from 20 percent, on
evening calls. Reach Out America's evening calling
period is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Friday.
In addition, AT&T on Friday, Dec. 15, proposed to extend
its waiver of the sign-up fee for new Reach Out America
subscribers through Jan. 31, 1990.
o A $104 million price reduction on international calls
from the U.S. mainland to 25 of the most frequently
called countries and overseas areas including Canada,
Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Israel,
Brazil, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea.
The percentage reduction varies by country and time of
day.
o Lower prices for AT&T World Connect(sm) Service to 39
countries or territories. AT&T World Connect Service
gives frequent international callers a discount on
direct-dialed calls from the U.S. mainland.
o Reductions in basic long-distance prices from Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands to 95 countries and
territories.
# # #
Don H Kemp "Always listen to experts. They'll
B B & K Associates, Inc. tell you what can't be done, and
Rutland, VT why. Then do it."
uunet!uvm-gen!teletech!dhk Lazarus Long