Re: What are one-nine-hundred numbers?

Oleg Lego wrote:
Skitt posted:
Oleg Lego wrote:

I wouldn't say it's well known, but the idea that a long distance
call always begins with a '1' and a local call never begins with a
'1' is definitely well known. Whether or not the area code is part
of what you dial depends entirely on where you are calling from,
and where you are calling to.

I'm fairly sure when using a cell phone in the USA to call any other
number in the USA (and Canada?), one does not have to use a '1' in
either case. If the number to be called has the same area code as
the area code assigned to the cell phone originating the call,
dialing seven digits is sufficient, otherwise it is ten digits.

I could be wrong on this, but I doubt it.

You are and you aren't.

I was talking USA usage, AT&T (ex-Cingular) specifically.

My cell phone is from Rogers, and I can store all Saskatchewan numbers
(all of Saskatchewan is area code 306), as if they were local calls.
When I dial a number that is within Saskatchewan, it will go through
if it's a local call, but if it's a long distance number, I hear a
voice saying "The number you have dialed is long distance. If you stay
on the line, your call will be put through." It gives one time to hang
up to avoid the charges.

There are no long distance charges on the cell phone service we use. It's just a certain allotment of minutes for a certain price for in-USA calling.

SaskTel Mobility cell phones, however, require the 1 + area code +
number, if long distance, and require local calls to not have the 1 +
area code in order to be put through.

This is the main reason I went with Rogers for cell phone service. In
a rural area, and in particular, when I'm on my property, I never know
which cell tower I am connecting through. If I had a SaskTel cell
phone, it's quite possible that I could dial my home phone while
walking down the driveway near the barn, and get something like:

555-0145
"The number you are dialing is long distance. Please try again."
1-306-555-0145
"The number you have dialed is not long distance. Please try again."
555-0145
"The number you are dialing is long distance. Please try again."
1-306-555-0145
"The number you have dialed is not long distance. Please try again."
555-0145
"The number you are dialing is long distance. Please try again."
1-306-555-0145
"The number you have dialed is not long distance. Please try again."

and so on...
It means that I would have to store both forms of the number, and try
one (using a best-guess), and also to stay in one place while I try
the other, if the first was unsuccessful, though staying still is no
guarantee of attaching to any given cell tower.

Wild.

--
Skitt
I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: What are one-nine-hundred numbers?
    ... Whether or not the area code is part of what ... I'm fairly sure when using a cell phone in the USA to call any other number ... voice saying "The number you have dialed is long distance. ... "The number you are dialing is long distance. ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: "Fair (hah) and Balanced (giggle)"
    ... Dialing "1" was required for long distance from the beginning. ... between a three-digit area code and a three-digit prefix to the ... long-distance call within the area code and routed as such, ...
    (rec.arts.sf.fandom)
  • Re: Area Code Rules II
    ... If you are calling within the US, then most likely you need to include a 1 ... before a long distance call. ... calling outside of your area code. ... Area Code Rules of the Dialing Properties and unchecking the Dial 1 Before ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Area Code Rules II
    ... before a long distance call. ... calling outside of your area code. ... Windows determines it is a long distance call by looking at the full number ... Seems Windows, by default, forces a 1 before every area code when dialing ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: "Fair (hah) and Balanced (giggle)"
    ... *any* digit is to distinguish one call from another. ... My comment was about *dialing 1 first*. ... The 1 distinguishes between local and long distance. ... area code is _not_ forbidden. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.fandom)