...And because they do, they've decided to keep things simple for customers.
Just wait, I'll explain.
I know, these days, everyone loves to use cell phones, VOIP, and unlimited landline long distance, but there are still people who either can't afford, or don't want to be bothered with, such fripperies; these are the folks to whom AT&T sells phone cards for long distance.
Recently, because they're in such dire financial straits, AT&T started charging extra minutes for in-state long distance.
Up to eight minutes charged per actual minute used.
This is because, said they, they had to recoup FCC and state fees on in-state long distance service.
There's a tiny problem with this: The FCC doesn't regulate in-state long distance.
There's another tiny problem with this: Neither do the states in which AT&T is charging extra.
There's another really BIG problem with this: The FCC states, "Calling card rates aren't regulated. Period."
That does seem like it holds that theory back a bit, don't you think?
From the AT&T calling card Terms and Conditions:
For calls that begin and end within the same state, minutes are deducted at the following rates per minute of talk time:
1 minute: DC, IL, IN, MA, RI, USVI;
3 minutes: AL, AR, CA, CT, DE, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MS, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PR, SC, TN, UT, WI, WV;
5 minutes: AK, AZ, CO, FL, IA, ID, MN, MT, NC, NH, OK, PA, TX, VA, VT, WA, WY;
8 minutes: MO, ND, SD.
So, you ask, in what way did AT&T make things simpler for the customer, especially since these changes are not noted on the cards themselves?
Well, they sure made it easier to choose not to buy from AT&T, didn't they?
