AT&T challenges the phone company in local toll call marketplace

Business Wire, Dec 28, 1994

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 28, 1994--Californians can save 10 to 15 percent on local toll calls to nearby communities by using AT&T instead of the phone company, beginning Jan. 1.

"For years California consumers and businesses have paid incredibly high prices for local toll calls because the local telephone companies held a monopoly," said Joe Bisazza, AT&T marketing director. "That's changing and we're delighted to be able to show how competition works to the public's advantage."

To use AT&T for local toll calls, people simply dial 10ATT (10288), then dial the number as they normally would. "There's no need to sign up, and there are no fees," Bisazza stressed. "Just dial 10ATT -- and save money."

The California Public Utilities Commission has authorized AT&T and other long-distance companies to compete with the state's phone companies for local toll calls -- typically calls to communities 16 to 100 miles away -- starting Jan. 1. To identify local toll calls, people should check the consumer guide section of the phone book or examine the local phone company portion of their monthly phone bill. In addition, AT&T volume and discount calling plans apply to both local toll calls and traditional long-distance calls, enabling consumers and businesses to save even more.

With AT&T True USA(r) Savings, subscribers who spend between $10 and $24.99 a month combined on qualifying local toll and long-distance calls receive a 10 percent discount off their AT&T domestic bills. Consumers who spend between $25 and $74.99 a month receive a 20 percent discount, and those who spend $75 a month or more receive a 30 percent discount. There are no enrollment fees or monthly charges.

"As an added bonus, we're giving AT&T long-distance customers 60 minutes of free local toll service from home during the month of January," Bisazza said. "We want to reward AT&T customers for their loyalty and introduce them to the great value we offer in local toll service." The offer does not apply to consumers who receive basic telephone service from smaller independent phone companies or to businesses.

Additionally, consumers enrolled in AT&T True Rewards(sm) who spend at least $25 a month on AT&T long distance and local toll calls will earn points redeemable for a variety of awards, including free minutes of AT&T long-distance service or free frequent flier miles.

Businesses can combine local toll calls with long-distance, 800 Service and fax calls under calling plans such as Small Business Advantage, CustomNet and UniPlan for deeper discounts. AT&T provides businesses with added convenience by combining long distance and local toll calls on a single bill and providing a single point of contact.

AT&T also offers qualifying California businesses incentives to have their telephone systems reprogrammed to automatically insert the AT&T access code before all local toll calls. And there are term plan and sign-up bonuses, such as one month's free service, for businesses that elect to increase their usage commitments or switch their service to AT&T. Businesses wishing more information about AT&T's local toll service should call 1-800-440-0242.

CONTACT: AT&T

Mike Cuno, 408/648-5883 or 408/649-1574 (home)