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