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<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT size=3><EM>>Yes, in most places in the USA local
calls are totally free, no per min<BR>>charge.<BR></EM></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>This is not true in the US for business
lines. Residential lines have a "free" local calling area.
However, business lines from an incumbent local exchange carrier like SBC
nearly always charge rates for 7-digit local calls, usually, but not
always based on mileage zones. Rates vary based on the local carrier,
time of day and the distance. Different rate schemes apply in
different parts of the country. Some use Zone Usage
Measured (ZUM) schemes, others use Flat Rate or Measured Rate schemes.
</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2>There are different rate plans for the same carriers
for local toll calls that fall outside the local calling area but are
within the same LATA.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Some states do allow 10-digit dialing without a 1+.
Washington DC (202) is an example of this for making local calls to other
adjacent area codes. The entire North America Numbering Plan (NANP) is in
a constant state of change as new area codes are added. There are 4
different dialing plans for each area code that can vary with regard to the
number of digits required and whether a 1+ is required:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>- Home NPA Local Calls</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>- Foreign NPA Local Calls</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>- Home NPA Toll Calls</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>- Foreign NPA Toll Calls</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>If you go to <A href="http://www.nanpa.com">www.nanpa.com</A>
and click on the "Dialing Plans" option in the left column, you can get the
current ("Standard") and evolving ("Permissive") dialing plan for any area
code. For example, 310 is currently setup this way:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Courier size=2>Dialing
Plan Standard
Permissive</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Courier size=2>- Home NPA Local
Calls
7D
1+10D</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Courier size=2>- Foreign NPA Local
Calls
1+10D
NA</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Courier size=2>- Home NPA Toll
Calls
7D NA</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Courier size=2>- Foreign NPA Toll
Calls
1+10D</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>This says you currently dial local calls within 310 as 7
digits, but the plan will change to require 1+10 digits which is currently
permitted.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Hope this helps </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>David Schlossman</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><A
href="mailto:david@atcomm.com">david@atcomm.com</A></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
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