COMMUNICATIONS
The United States and Canada have the same kind of phone system – (xxx) xxx-xxxx – a three digit ‘area code’ and a seven-digit number. From most public phones, dial 0 before the area code – the operator will respond to tell you how much money to deposit. You usually pay for the first three minutes and then you receive a computer voice informing you to pay any additional money after you finish – i.e., if you talk for five minutes, when you hang up, the operator will ring the phone back and ask for additional money for the additional two minutes.
There are a number of discount phone services available – some use phone cards and others have storefront offices. These services sell you long distance time. Generally, you can buy phone cards almost anywhere – from the local grocery store to the newsstand. If you’re going to phone a specific country a lot, shop around. Take the toll free number from the card before you buy it and ask their rate for your frequently called country. Specific rates vary greatly from card to card. The card may advertise a very low rate per minute – read the fine
print! It may specify a big “connection fee”. For example, a $5 card might advertise a rate to your country of 10 cents a minute. Great! However, there is a $2 connection fee which leaves you only 30 minutes of time – not 50 minutes. And if you call once then have to call back a second time you have used the connection service twice and have only 10 mintues left! Ask at your hostel regarding discount phone cards that may be available.
Many places have toll free numbers. These all used to be in the 800 area code and some people still call them “800 numbers”. Today there are several area codes for toll free numbers including 800, 888, 866 and more. Usually you will see a note before the number indicating “toll free”. The person receiving the call pays. Most airlines and transport companies and many hostels have these. The directory service for these is also free from most public phones: (800) 555-1212. You must put a “1” before the toll-free number at all times. It is never a local call.
