The problem is that the local companies are attached to their monopolies. These hold-ups have taken many forms, including the attempt to charge outrageous rates for renting facilities. Merely leasing resale facilities does not, moreover, amount to the establishment of viable competition. If so, you probably have noted that local payphone providers, most prominently local Bells, have upped the rate to call for a cab. The intention was to provide more payphones at competitive rates.
Credit card calls .
Use of credit cards from a payphone is also costing you more. The problem is that the rate that your long distance carrier must pay to use the facilities is far higher than a competitive rate. Cable rates . They have risen by about 21 percent across the country in the past year, including rate increases in Alabama. Government is protecting you again.