Results: Long Distance Telephone Calls
Published on 09/12/2016
For a long time, calls could only be placed within your local call area. Eventually, parties could place long distance calls to another area code through the operator. In 1920, a long-distance call started at $20.70 (in 1920s $$$). Eventually DDD (Direct Distance Dialing) allowed parties to press "1", enter the area code, and then dial the number. The number 1 was used because no area codes start with 1 and sending "1" would tell the switching equipment to get a long-distance circuit, or trunk line. You are still 'supposed' to dial the trunk code (1 in the US) before making long-distance calls but today's equipment is smart enough to compensate for our mistakes.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
How often do you make long distance telephone calls? (outside of your area code) Everyday
9%
184 votes
A few times a week
16%
322 votes
A few times a month
20%
406 votes
A few times a year
13%
254 votes
Rarely
25%
492 votes
Never
16%
325 votes
2.
2.
Do you dial the trunk code (1 in the US) before dialing the area code when making a long-distance call? Always
45%
888 votes
Sometimes
27%
531 votes
Never
28%
564 votes
3.
3.
800 numbers are well-known as "1-800" numbers since 800 is not a geographic area code and thus all callers should (theoretically) be dialing a 1 anyways. The country code for most of North America is 1, thus international callers will also be dialing the same number. Have you noticed commercials and ads omitting the trunk code from their telephone numbers lately? (i.e. Call 800-555-1234 as opposed to Call 1-800-555-1234) Yes
26%
521 votes
A little
17%
346 votes
No
25%
491 votes
I don't pay attention to telephone numbers
32%
625 votes
4.
4.
Many systems no longer require the trunk code and will automatically correct for errors you make by adding the trunk code for you. The trunk code is still sent behind the scenes. Dialing 1 for long-distance is a good habit, albeit an often overlooked one. Do you believe that dialing the trunk code (1 in the US) should become mandatory again everywhere to avoid confusion between systems and numbers? Yes
27%
529 votes
No
20%
402 votes
I have no opinion
53%
1052 votes
5.
5.
Do you dial the area code when making local (within the same area code) calls? Yes
44%
882 votes
Sometimes
23%
452 votes
No
33%
649 votes
6.
6.
Do you dial the area code when making local (within the same area code) calls? Yes
42%
841 votes
Sometimes
19%
374 votes
No
31%
605 votes
I don't dial my own calls – I use the operator
2%
35 votes
I don't dial my own calls – speed dial, contact dial, etc…
6%
128 votes
7.
7.
Do you know the telephone numbers for most of the people you dial? Yes, all of them
13%
264 votes
Most of them
25%
498 votes
Some of them
27%
536 votes
Just a couple
24%
468 votes
I only know 911 and 0
11%
217 votes
8.
8.
Do you know the telephone numbers for most of the people you dial? Yes, all of them
13%
259 votes
Most of them
26%
524 votes
Some of them
26%
518 votes
Just a couple
23%
465 votes
I only know 911 and 0
11%
217 votes
9.
9.
Do you prefer telephone-exchange names in numbers or all-number calling? i.e. KLondike5-1234 or 555-1234? I prefer telephone-exchange name numbers (KL5-1234)
15%
289 votes
I prefer all numbers (555-1234)
85%
1694 votes
COMMENTS