How to Make a Phone Call
Phone
numbers:
- Local
calls: Dial
the seven-digit phone number
- Local
toll calls: Dial "1" + (the 7-digit phone number)
- Long-distance
calls:
Dial "1" + (the area code) + (the 7-digit phone number)
- Toll-free
calls:
Dial "1" + "800" + (the 7-digit number)
- International
direct calls:
Dial "011" + (the country code) + (the city code) + (the
7-digit phone number)
- International
Operator-Assisted Calls:
Dial "01" + (the country code) + (the city code) + (the
7-digit phone number)
Information:
- Local
Information:
Dial 411 (you are normally allowed 6 free local calls per month)
- Long-Distance
Information:
Dial
"1" + (the area code) + 555-1212
- Long-Distance
Toll-free Information:
some large companies offer toll-free numbers nationwide.
Dial "1" + "800" + 555-1212
Operators:
Local
and Long-Distance Operator: Dial "0"
International Operator: Dial "00"
Payphone
Calls:
To make
a call using a payphone you can use one of three methods:
(1)
coins
(2) a pre-paid phone card
(3) a calling card number you get from your local
or long-distance company
To
make a local call using coins:
1. Local calls are $.25, $.35 or $.50 so make sure to bring at least $.50 change in nickels, dimes or quarters.
2. Lift
the phone to listen for a dial tone. If you hear nothing or static,
jiggle the (receiver) a couple of times. If you still hear nothing,
hang up and try to find another payphone.
3. After
hearing the dialtone, start inputting your change. After you have
input your change, begin dialing. Local numbers contain seven digits.
! Pay phones do not accept pennies.
To
make a local toll call or long-distance call with coins:
1. Listen
for a dial tone, as in #2 above.
2. You
will first need to dial the number before inputting your change. The
operator will tell you how much you need to input. Have at least two
dollars worth of change ready for a local toll call and five dollars
for a long-distance call in case you spend more than the time the
operator has allotted for the call.
3. Dial
1 + (the three-digit area code) + (the seven-digit number)
Calling
Cards and Pre-Paid Phone Cards
When
you buy a long-distance calling plan you can also opt to receive a
phone company calling card to make calls away from your home phone.
When you use your calling card, the call is charged to your phone
bill. If you don't have a long-distance plan, you can purchase a pre-paid
phone card.
Pre-paid
Phone Cards
You can
buy a phone card from your local convenience store like 7-11 or from
a vending machine. You can purchase these cards for differing amounts.
This card acts like a debit card; when you make a call, the cost of
the call will be deducted from the card.
!
Pre-paid
phone card per-minute rates are usually higher than those of phone
company calling cards or calls made from home. These cards are best
for those making short calls away from home.
Before
purchasing a pre-paid phone card, find out:
(1) What
is the cost-per-minute?
(2) Where can you call to and from? Some cards may not let you make
international calls
(3) Is there a sign-up or activation fee?
(4) How reputable is the company?
(above info from TRAC.org)
To
make a local call using a pre-paid phone card or phone company calling
card:
1. Listen
for the dial tone.
2. Dial
the number you are trying to reach. Always dial "0" + (the
three-digit area code) + (the seven-digit phone number), even for
a local call.
3. The
operator will prompt you with a small bell-like tone, and ask you
to input your ten-digit calling card number.
Calling cards by themselves without landline:
http://top-callingcards.com/
http://www.pingo.com/en/howitworks.do
or if you have a high-speed internet connection:
http://top-callingcards.com/2008/10/08/vonage-vs-international-calling-cards/
Long-distance calls on a payphone
Making
a long distance call on a payphone can be very expensive, at certain
phones up to $1.00 per minute.
! In most cases, the most economical way to make a long distance call from a payphone is to use coins. Consumers also may use their calling cards or any of the collect platforms that are available from long distance carriers or from the payphone itself. Rate quotes are available from long distance carriers before calls are connected and before any charges are incurred.
Certain long distance plans offer you
calling card calls at reduced rates, for a monthly fee. If you plan
on making a lot of payphone calls you might consider going with a
plan like Sprint's
AnyTime with Calling Card.
Good
info on long-distance calling card plans at the Consumer
Reports website.
Local & Long distance calling plans, calling cards and prepaid cards:
