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Like many computer gurus, phone companies seem to like keeping their customers confused with technobabble. We hope the following will help cut through this fog... if you're even interested!
- LATA - We often hear the phone company refer to your "LATA". And when you ask for the definition of a LATA, you get a "lotta” run around. More often than not, the telephone company operators don't have a clue what the term means and you leave more confused than ever!
- The term LATA is an acronym for Local Access and Transport Area. Generally speaking, it is the geographical area covered by the local exchange carrier. It can also be described as a local piece of your area code, although in some areas (Chicago, New York City, L.A., Etc) you may have several area codes in the same LATA (just to confuse us!).
- Intra-LATA - Now we're going to start separating the men from the boys and the women from the girls!
- Within your LATA, calls can be treated as local, or local long distance depending on its geographical size. For instance, over half of the area in Illinois is covered by only two area codes. The other half has umpteen area codes... and growing.
One small section of Chicago is covered by the 312 area code... certainly not an area large enough to have any local long distance charges within that area code. In fact, they wouldn't even have any local long distance charges outside their immediate area code because they fall in the category (as mentioned above) as being one of several area codes in the same LATA.
By the same token, those living in less populated areas such as Chicago's burbs may face local long distance charges within their LATA. It all depends on the size of the geographical area covered. It is this category in which you could have Intra-LATA charges. Typically, you will find them listed on your phone bill as "Local Tolls".
- Inter-LATA - Confused yet? Well, we'll keep trying! Inter-LATA calls are those outside your local area (LATA) but within your state. These are typically referred to as Intra-State calls and depending on the geographical distance, are treated either as Local Tolls or as intra-state Long Distance.
- Dial Arounds - This is also known as "ten-ten" dial-around calling. Every long distance carrier has a 10-10 number which is used to access their network for calls. You generally do not need to dial a 10-10 number for the long distance company you have chosen to use. For example, if you are an AT&T customer but also wanted to use MCI for a few calls, you would dial MCI's 10-10 number prior to the long distance number. Billing for these calls usually appear on your local phone companies' bill, billed at that carrier's highest rates.
- Slamming - unauthorized changing of your long distance carrier to that of the "slammer".
- Cramming - false charges inserted on your phone bill with vague descriptions such as calling cards, services or products. These are generally inserted by a company other than your local phone company.
- Jamming - your authorized local company places an unauthorized "PIC Freeze" on your account to prevent your ability to change carriers.
- Scamming - Someone offering you a product or service that is "too good to be true." In 99% of the cases, it is!
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