Long Distance Calling
Area Map
Selecting Your Long Distance Company
1+ Dialing
Direct Dialing
Directory Assistance
Credit for Wrong Numbers and Poor Connections
In the past, Big Bend Telephone Company, Inc. (Big Bend) was the carrier that carries all of its customers 1 + and 0+ calls within the Midland LATA, as indicated by the shaded area on the map below. Effective February 2, 1999, Big Bend implemented IntraLATA Dialing Parity. IntraLATA Dialing Parity will provide you, the customer, with an option of selecting your carrier of choice to carry your IntraLATA 1+ and 0+ calls. A list of current carriers can be obtained from our business office. Once you have selected your carrier of choice for your IntraLATA calling, you will need to notify Big Bend of your decision. If you do not make an alternative selection, Big Bend will continue to be your IntraLATA carrier. If you change your carrier, a $5.00 change charge will apply.
This map shows the boundaries of the long distance service areas in Texas | Back to Top |
For calls made outside the Midland LATA you must use another long distance company. Big Bend Telephone Company offers a service called equal access. Equal access will allow you to make long distance calls using the long distance company of your choice by simply dialing 1 + the number.
Selecting your Long-Distance Company | Back to Top
You were given the opportunity to make your selection of a long distance company.
Although Big Bend Telephone Company cannot recommend which long distance company is right for you, we are offering the following information to assist you in making your selection.
Here are some questions you may want to ask when selecting a long distance company.
What are the long distance company’s rates? Are there any discount rate periods? What are the rates for the time periods and places you call most often?
Are there monthly fees? Initial set-up charges? Minimum monthly charges?
Does the long distance company offer operator assistance? Can you make collect or credit calls using their service? Do they offer directory assistance? International calling?
Can you call anywhere using the long distance company’s service or is it only available when calling certain areas?
If you experience trouble using the long distance company’s service, is there a toll free or local number available to report the problem? Will someone be available to assist you 24 hours a day?
Can you receive credit for bad connections or wrong numbers? If so, how do you request credit?
How and when will you be billed? Will you be receiving a separate bill for the long distance company’s charges? Are charges itemized?
Does the long distance company begin charging for a call when it is answered or when it starts ringing?
You may access the long distance company you have selected by dialing 1 + or 0+ the telephone number for all calls. A list of long distance companies that are available to Big Bend Telephone Company customers may be obtained by contacting our business office.
1 + | Back to Top
You may also make calls using a long distance company other than the one you have selected to handle your 1 + calls by dialing the appropriate Seven Digit (101 XXXX) access code for that company. You will need to establish an account with each long distance company you wish to use. Each long distance company can provide you with their appropriate access code. All toll calls carried by any of the long distance service providers will be billed by them. Billing inquiries should be directed to the long distance provider’s customer assistance numbers noted on the bills you will receive. The following types of long distance calls are available through Big Bend Telephone Company for calls that are within the Midland LATA. Information about the types of calls available outside the Midland LATA can be obtained by contacting your selected long distance company.
Direct Dialing | Back to Top
Direct dial if you wish to talk with anyone who answers. Rates for calls that you dial yourself are lower than for calls dialed by the operator. Charging begins when the called telephone is answered in person or by an automatic answering machine.
• To call within your area code
..........................dial 1 + Area Code + Telephone Number
• To call outside your area code
..........................dial 1 + Area Code + Telephone Number
Directory Assistance | Back to Top
To obtain a directory listing within your local calling area:
Dial 1 411
To obtain a directory listing within Area Code 432:
Dial 1 432 555-1212
Big Bend Telephone Company customers receive three directory assistance calls per month. There will be thereafter.
To obtain a directory listing outside Area Code 432:
Dial 1 + Area Code + 555-1212
Directory assistance calls outside Area Code 432 will be handled and billed by the long distance company you have selected for your 1 + long distance calls outside Big Bend Telephone Company’s service area. Please contact your long distance company for their directory assistance rates.
To obtain a toll-free directory listing:
Dial 1 800 555-1212
There is no charge for 800 Directory Assistance
Credit for Wrong Numbers and Poor Connections | Back to Top
If you dial a wrong number, call the “0” Operator (if you are calling inside the Midland LATA – See shaded Area Map above), or call the “00” operator (if you are calling outside the Midland LATA – See shaded Area Map above), and give the number you attempted to reach. In most cases, you’ll be credited for the call. Once in a while you may get a bad connection or be cut off on a long distance call. Both parties should hang up and the one who placed the call should dial the “0” or “00” Operator and explain the trouble. The operator will get you a better connection and have the charge adjusted appropriately as per the long distance companies’ policy.
|
|
