[comp.dcom.telecom] I Tried a Local Call From Pa. to Del.

cmoore@brl.mil (VLD/VMB) (07/04/89)

OK, I went to Kemblesville, Pa. (215-255 prefix) and tried a
local call from there to U of Del computer status line at 451-2761
in area 302.
1. Dialed 7D (7 digit).  "The call you have made requires a 25
   cent deposit."
2. Put in 25 cents and dialed 7D.  I got recording saying I now have
   to dial 1 and areacode 302 in front of the Delaware number I have
   just dialed; "there is no change in the billing".  Got my money back.
3. Put in 25 cents and dialed 302 and 7D (left off leading 1).
   The call went thru, although I know this exchange has required
   1+7D for toll calls within 215 area (prefixes 368 and 453 in Newark,
   Del. are duplicated in distant parts of area 215).

jsol@bu-cs.bu.edu (07/05/89)

You must have called from a COCOT. It would make sense that the
COCOT phone doesn't know anything about the call until you dial
either 1+ 0+ or insert a quarter.

Then 2) was the Bell of Pa. recording saying you have to dial 1+302

as for 3) I suspect the ESS machine was misprogrammed, or that this
is a feature to declare the 302-XXX-XXXX call a local call.

Next time you're there, it would be interesting to call 302-Some-toll-call
and see if it tells you you need a 1.

--jsol