[ILUG] Subscription ISDN ISPs

[Niall O Broin]

On Wed, Jan 23, 2002 at 03:50:37PM +0000, Chris Higgins wrote:

> > 
> > As you can see, during peak time 1891 numbers are > 50% cheaper than local
> > calls (AFAIK 1890 numbers are charged at local call rates - they're just a
> 
> 1890 is charged at local rates to the end user , but the service provider
> (ISP or business which 'owns' the 1890 number) pays the difference between
> the local rate and the real rate.

This is true for service providers like e.g. Bupa who are in Fermoy but who
you call with a 1890 number. However I don't think it's that way for ISPs.
My understanding is that 1890 will be redirected to the nearest POP for the
particular ISP which, provided the ISP has sufficient POPs, will be a local
call charge. ISPs using 1890 or local numbers for "free" services are
getting revenue from their share of the termination charges and from their
tech. support revenue (and UTV provide this on a 1890 nunber too, so it's
not much)

> Which means that it's very bad news for ISPs who typically have users
> on for long periods of time.

Indeed, which is why I don't believe that your understanding of the
situation is correct.


Niall