Date: 30 Sep 92 21:05:58 GMT
From: navsaria@bass.bu.edu (Dipesh Navsaria)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: BU Phone Rates Go Up -- Advice Sought
Organization: Boston University
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 749, Message 3 of 13

Over the summer, Boston University had contracted with New England
Telephone to modernize BU's phone system.  The results of the deal
were as follows:

  o No matter which option you pick, (Measured, Metropolitan, etc.), you
    receive "free" call waiting, three-way calling, speed dialing, touch-
    tone, ring-back, and service on your lines.

  o You must use AT & T as your long distance carrier with the special
    ACUS program which has been set up.  The supposed discounts are only
    in effect at certain times which many students find inconvenient.

  o Calling plans can no longer be used ... calling cards, however, still
    work.

   While the long distance portion of the changes did not affect me to
a great extent, I was annoyed at the new rates they've set up.  It
cost me $9.88 a month over the summer for basic measured phone service
and touch-tone, and now for that same service (plus the supposedly
"free" features which I don't want nor need), I'm being charged over
14 dollars.

   I called New England Telephone and discovered that their measured
service rate has _not_ changed ... but since I am a BU student, my
dorm phone service is now more expensive.  (I have lived in the same
room through the summer and into this academic year, and therefore
have had the same phone number.)

   I ask, what sort of ludicrous mess is this?  I absolutely refuse to
pay extra to help subsidize these uneeded services or the modernization
 ...  it appears BU has a habit of making massive changes without 
consulting the people who will be paying for it in the end.

   New England Telephone should realize that students, most of all,
should be given a break instead of being forced to foot a bill like
this ... I am aghast at their actions.  I will not pay a cent more
than regular subscribers in Boston pay.

   I invite comments/thoughts/experiences from the readers of these
newsgroups.  I intend to send a strongly-worded letter to New England
Telephone, AT&T, and BU's Telecommunications Office soon.

   Now someone already flamed me for grousing over a few dollars when
tuition is already so much.  I won't go into my full reply here, but
it's more a matter of principle, considering that NET changed my
existing "normal" phone service into their new BU phone service
without _any_ notification ... I only heard of this from other
students and when my phone bill showed up and I called to inquire.

   The person who suggested that I post here said that I should check
and see if this billing scheme is permitted under tariff ... could
someone tell me how I would do that?

   Someone else suggested that requiring us to use a particular long
distance carrier may be illegal and suggested that I send a copy of my
letter to the state regulatory commission and the FCC.  Can anyone
shed any light on that?

   I appreciate any help ... I'll try to keep up with this newsgroup,
but I'd appreciate direct e-mail.  Thank you!


Dipesh Navsaria    (navsaria@bu-pub.bu.edu)