🚀 go-pugleaf

max_kislik.es_ae@xerox.com (Max Kislik) writes:

>Maybe so, but my understanding is that in order to use another carrier
>(not your local monopoly), you'll have to dial an extra 5 digits.  That's
>something most people won't do, and that's why I think its a massive rip-off.

I never claimed to be informed about the specifics of any of this.  I agree
that having to dial an extra 5 digits to make a Zone 5-type call is
ridiculous.

>Also, if they really wanted extra competition, they should allow Pac Bell and
>GTE to compete for basic hookup, rather than imposing a $17.50 flat rate on
>GTE customers and an $11 rate on Pac Bell customers.  If GTE is that 
>uncompetitive, local should be the first target for more competition.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the local loop is the most difficult
to free from the control of a single company.  The physical cable from your
phone and from your neighbor's phone need to be maintained by somebody.
Imagine the confusion if four separate companies were each somehow
responsible for their own customers' copper.

Besides, it could be worse.  The phone companies could require you to rent
special descrambling units to make sure you don't steal phone service.
They could set these units up in such a way that the features of your phone
are rendered useless, perhaps by not allowing you to attach both a phone
and a fax machine to the same  line.

Oh wait, that's the cable company.

--
Curt Hagenlocher
chi@netcom.com