March 19, 1999
By: Dan Muñoz Sr.
With little public fanfare, AT&T operators begin charging $9.95 instead of $6.75. To check whether a line is in service. To have the operator break in on a line to announce that you have an emergency call is another $9.75. This amounts a 47% increase for "busy line" verification and a "busy line" interruption.
In addition, AT& is increasing rates for using their calling cards, operated assisted calls and certain calls. In all fifteen different new rate increases are being put in place with little public fanfare. This in spite of AT&T showing a 4th quarter 1998 earnings increase of over 45 percent over the previous year.
Those that will the most affected by the increases are those with older AT&T calling plans, such as `Reach out America' and `True Reach' that date back to the 1990's.
These users will be charged $1.75 rather than the $1.25 to speak to a `human operator' when they dial 1-800-call-AT&T, to place a call.
(Note: The California Public Utilities Commission will be in town next week. Concerned users may wish to speak before the commission on this matter. Contact Sandra Graham at 213-897-3544 to make an appointment to speak before the Board.)
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