I don't see how hotels can charge for toll free calls as Hilton is now doing.

TOCSIA: the Telephone Operator Consumer Service Improvement Act forbids hotels from treating one carrier differently than another. It is true that if a hotel charges for one toll free number they must charge for all toll free calls.

In my reading of the act they then must put the same charge on all calls dialed 0+ from the room phone. Not doing this means that anyone using the prefered carrier (in most cases AT&T) can simply dial 0+Area Code+Number and avoid the surcharge while guests using other carriers are forced to dial the toll free number and hang up after 29 minutes or get charged, (Using Hilton as an example)

If I had the time I would investigate this. Randy how 'bout your staff?

TW

I made the time. I called the FCC Enforcement division. Let's see what their reply is. This will be my first "direct" contact with a governmental agency since the "reinventing" program. Let's see how long it takes for a reply! Hopefully quicker than an email to an airline!

[This message has been edited by Tolarian Wind (edited 06-22-1999).]