4. Do not replace the receiver before you have given the equipment time to connect the call.
You may sometimes hear a series of very rapid pips. This tells you that the automatic equipment is putting your call through and asks you to hold on.
5. Should you want the operator to get your call, or if you have any difficulty in dialling your number dial the operator and your call will be connected. The three minutes minimum charge applies on all calls made through the operator.
4. Trunk-Calls via Operator
If the number you are calling is not on STD or ISD and you cannot dial the number direct, you have to make your call through the operator. When you book a trunk-call:
1. Give the country, the place concerned and the number you want your call to be connected with.
2. Say what kind of call you want to book.
3. Indicate the duration of your call if possible.
4. Give your name and telephone number.
Trunk-calls can be as follows:
1. ADC calls. ADC, which stands for “advise duration and charge”, means that when the call is finished the operator rings you back to tell you how long the call was and how much it cost.
2. Personal calls. They are made to a particular person. A fixed charge is made for the service, but you do not pay for the time taken to find the person. If he isn’t there, the call is tried again later without further charge.
3. Station-to-station calls. They are put through to the number you give.
4. Transferred-charge calls (or collect calls). They are paid for by the person receiving the call rather than the caller.
5. Government calls (or state calls). They are usually put through with a minimum delay. Only governmental offices, embassies and trade missions are entitled to book such calls.
The charge for a trunk-call is based on the duration of the call and the distance between the charging centres.
5. Using a Telephone Directory
Using a telephone directory is a simple procedure for those who live in small towns. Because in larger cities the use of a large directory is somewhat more difficult, knowing the organisation of a city directory may prove helpful.
The following information may be obtained on the front page of most alphabetical directories:
Number of the fire department, police, or ambulance.
Business office of the telephone company.
Telephone repair service.
Assistance, for help, in making a call.
Information, to obtain numbers not in the directory.
Long distance, to make a long-distance call.
