nigel@cc.imperial.ac.uk (Mad Nige) (06/08/89)
The access code for the Mercury network is a simple 131. Hit this, and if you're in an area where the service is available, you'll get a high pitched noise like a modem carrier. To use the service, you have to enter a ten digit identification code, and then the number that you want to be connected to, always including the STD code. You can connect to almost every number via Mercury that you can via British Telecom. Notes: 1) All the signals you send after dialling the 131 must be using DTMF signalling. 2) Your id code is validated for a particular number. In practice, it will also work from other phones in the same area, though this is not guaranteed, and I suspect the areas will get smaller as the network expands. At the moment, it seems that I can use my code anywhere in the 01 (London) area. 3) Most modern BT call boxes (including some card phones) will switch to DTMF after you have dialled the initial 131. This means I don't have to give BT much money at all anymore. 4) Making local calls via Mercury is about 3 times the price of making them _from_your_own_phone via BT. Mercury is after all designed for long distance calling. However, if you're using a call box, BT is about 6 times the usual price for local, cheap rate calls. 5) I have had very few problems with Mercury. I have had lots of problems with BT, and even phoning the chairman's office doesn't help much these days. (Dial 01-356 5000 and ask for the chairman's office) 6) Occassionally I get bad lines from Mercury. As far as I can tell, this is caused by BT. The phone in my office always gives very good connections to Mercury, but the other line, off an older BT switch tends to be a bit faint. Hope this is of some help. A slightly related topic; some of the phones now on sale in this country have "TouchTone" which it is claimed is a trademark of British Telecom. I have no connection with either of the phone companies, except as a satisfied customer of Mercury, and an extremely dissatisfied customer of British Telecom. Nigel Whitfield.