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Pay Phones: New FCC surcharge and how to lower your pay phone access telephone rates and costs.
Reference: Payphones, pay phones, operator assisted, collect, 1 800 Collect 800-Call ATT

NEW FEES ASSESSED FOR NON-COIN PAY PHONE CALLS.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 states that the pay phone service providers are to be compensated for all non-coin completed from their pay phones. Therefore, the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, is requiring carriers to pay a per call (not per minute) charge for all non coin calls originating from a pay phone.

This per call charge varies slightly, depending on which carrier is assessing the fee. Most commonly the fee is $.029 to $0.32 per call.

HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY ON PAY PHONE CALLS?

There really isn't much you can do to get around using a payphone at times. As you are aware it can be costly for local calls and very expensive for long distance calls. Four ways to help you control these costs are: call collect, calling cards, prepaid calling cards, and the use of 800 and 888 toll free numbers.

1 800 Collect and 1 800-Call ATT are good programs for your long distance calls, such as calling home in an emergency, and if you only use it on rare occasion, say, once a year.

Calling cards and prepaid calling cards are great because you access via an 800 number and don't have to pay high long distance fees.

If you call on a regular basis from the field (payphones) to a specific number (work or home) examine placing an 800 number to the location you frequently call to help save money. Even with the new pay phone surcharge, it is generally more cost-effective to have your own 800 number; and it is definitely more convenient (for information please see our 800/888 FAQ page).

Should you wish to further inquire (complain) about the new pay phone surcharge fee, listed below is the address and phone number of the FCC.

Federal Communications Commission
Common Carrier Bureau, Enforcement Division
Informal Complaints and Public Inquiries Branch
Mail Stop Code 1600A2
Washington, DC 20554

Or feel free to call them (on their dime) at 1 888 225-5322.