The FCC determined that deregulating local coin rates and allowing the marketplace to set the price of local payphone calls is one of the essential steps needed to achieve the goals set by Congress. Deregulation allows PSPs to receive fair compensation for their services and will encourage the widespread placement of payphones. Also, the FCC anticipates that Americans will have greater access to emergency and public safety services. States may also choose to place public interest payphones in areas where payphones are necessary for health and safety reasons. In many states, yes.
Numerous states continue to regulate the rates for local collect calls.
Check with your state public utility commission or local phone company for rates in your area. Calls made to emergency numbers, such as 911, and to the Telecommunications Relay Service, a service of use to people with disabilities, are free of charge at payphones. You can also continue to reach an operator without depositing a coin. Toll-free calls including calls billed to calling cards or credit cards, as well as other 800 number calls do not require a coin. The 800 number subscriber or calling card service or credit card company generally pays this compensation, but this amount may be reflected in the user charges of the 800 number subscriber, calling card service or credit card company.