covert@covert.enet.dec.com (John R. Covert 26-Sep-1989 1349) (09/27/89)
>we can now ring the USA for A$1.19 off peak [how does this compare with US >to Aust costs?]. With the Australian dollar currently selling for A$1.26 to US$1, your rate is equivalent to 94 cents per minute. AT&T's economy rate is high ($2.16) for the first minute, and then .81 per minute after that. Thus a call of 13 minutes or less is cheaper if originated at the Australian end. Using Sprint, at $1.84/.78 the crossover occurs after six minutes. AT&T hasn't lowered rates to the Pacific for a long time; I think a lowering of at least the initial minute is long overdue. Add 3% tax to our rates (and in a few states, additional local tax). Full info on AT&T and Sprint's rates: 3A-2P Econ $2.16 .81 1.84 .78 8P-3A Disc $2.66 1.03 2.52 .96 2P-8P Std $3.32 1.35 3.25 1.28 Back to the U.S., on an AT&T calling card: 8.87 for the first 3, 1.35 after that, with no discount based on time period. /john