dplatt@coherent.com (02/08/89)
This week's issue of CommunicationsWeek has a few interesting items: - AT&T is developing a new AT&T calling card that is said to be "AOS proof". The billing number on each of these cards will be issued by AT&T, and will be honored only by AT&T; AT&T will no longer use the billing numbers that are issues by the local Bell operating companies. This will (apparently) prevent AOS companies from billing people who have used their AT&T cards on AOS phones. Introduction of the new AT&T-only calling cards is scheduled for sometime in 1990. - AT&T is printing up "AT&T Long Distance Service" stickers, and will be distributing them to business-owners who have pay phones that are served by AT&T. - The state of Indiana has ruled that long distance carriers' coinless telephones must comply with the rules regulating all other customer- owned pay telephones; the phones must grant access to all long distance telephone companies in areas where equal access is available, must not limit local-call duration, and must provide "dial 0 for Operator" access. - The state of Kansas has revoked ITC's authorization to operate as an AOS in that state, citing ITC's failure to document its prices for in-state toll calls, failure to put stickers on the phones that they service identifying ITC as the service provider, and the lack of an acceptable contract between ITC and its subscribers. - Rep. Jim Conner (D-Tenn.) is drafting a bill to address the AOS industry; it will be introduced in the House within the next few weeks.