THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996 TAG: 9607120471
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 24 lines
AT&T Corp. said it canceled an agreement with Bell Atlantic Corp. that allowed customers using their AT&T calling cards to just dial ``0'' and then the number for local calls or short-haul long-distance calls within the mid-Atlantic region. AT&T said from now on, customers who want to use their calling cards for such calls will have to dial 1-800-225-5288 first, and then the number.
AT&T said in conjunction with the move it cut its calling-card rates for calls within Virginia by about 4 percent. The move is part of a continuing spat between AT&T and Bell Atlantic as they compete increasingly in each other's markets.
A Bell Atlantic spokesman said customers can still use their Bell Atlantic IQ cards to make the calls. A three-minute weekday mid-afternoon call from Norfolk to Williamsburg would cost $1.33 with Bell Atlantic's card, $1.70 using AT&T's, according to rates quoted Thursday by the companies. AT&T's rate does not include discounts for members of its special calling plans, however. by CNB