can someone explain "direct dialed calls" to me

[whistleclient]

i live in los angeles. i have some friends that live 10-15 miles away that are technically in different area codes (818) but when i call them it's billed as a "direct dialed call". i had $26 of direct dialed calls this month.

example:
32 minutes $ 2.94


why does it cost more call my friends 15 miles away than my parents 2000 miles away?


how can i save money?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: tangent1138
how can i save money?

Use a cell phone.

 

[ElFenix]

interstate long distance is cheaper than in state long distance.

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
interstate long distance is cheaper than in state long distance.

ding ding ding.

 

[farmercal]

Here in Florida I pay around $30 a month through some package deal with Sprint and I get unlimited long distance. The catch is that I have to use the area code when I dial anywhere to get the call for free. When I call a town 30 minutes from my house without using the area code they charge me 20 to 25 cents per call I make. So, the trick is to get an unlimited long distance calling plan.

 

[kranky]

Many calls are more expensive when they are intrastate toll calls/long distance than when they are interstate.

The fact that they are in different area codes, in and of itself, doesn't mean the calls will be more expensive.

If you have a copy of the local white pages, somewhere in the front will be a section that lists all the local calling plans. Look through those and see if one of them is a better match than what you have now.

 

[jalaram]

The long distance calls go through your long distance carrier. That's one rate.

The local "long distance" calls go through your local carrier. They'll charge their own rate.

 

[whistleclient]

so how can you get an unlimited long distance plan to "local" long distance?

does it only apply if i crosses state lines? because i have to dial 1+area code for my friend, so i always thought it was covered under unlimited long distance.

 

[kranky]

Here's what to do. Call your phone company's business office, describe the calls you are making, and ask them what plans they offer which would let you make those calls as part of your basic monthly charge.

For example, where I live I can get what they call the Metro Area Calling Plan which lets me pay a flat rate for the month, and it covers many toll calls (note: toll calls are NOT the same as long distance), and the toll calls that aren't covered are 3 cents/minute.

 

[ReiAyanami]

in-state = RBOC = monopoly = teh higher prices, thank FCC

next time route your calls thru India, it gets cheaper as it goes around the world in a thin strand of fiber