One ringy dingy...
Posted on 01/07/2023 7:43:15 PM PST by algore
The operator is going off the hook for millions of customers.
Starting in January, AT&T customers with digital landlines won’t be able to dial 411 or 0 to reach an operator or get directory assistance. AT&T in 2021 ended operator services for wireless callers, although customers with home phone landlines can still access operators and directory help.
Verizon, T-Mobile and other major carriers still offer these services for a fee
While operator services may be nearly obsolete, it’s important to consider emergency circumstances where a caller may need to reach an operator and the customers who still rely on these services, such as low-income callers, the elderly and people with disabilities, said Edward Tenner, a technology historian in the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. (AT&T said it would still offer free directory assistance to elderly customers and people with disabilities.)
“Often tragedies happen when something is exceptional,” he said.
He also empathized with people who are being forced to keep up with technological change, whether they like it or not.
“There are a lot of people who, for various reasons, haven’t adapted,” Tenner said. “Why should they be forced to migrate to the web if they don’t want to?”
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
There is no reason to just shut it down.
Someone is going to make a lot of money with 1-900-4-411
If they can charge $1.99
“ consider emergency circumstances where a caller may need to reach an operator and the customers who still rely on these services, such as low-income callers”
Only low-income people have emergencies?
One ringy dingy...
I haven’t used 411 in years, and the last few times I did, it was terrible. They couldn’t find the number I was looking for, but charged me anyway.
“Someone is going to make a lot of money with 1-900-4-411”
If there were money in it AT&T would not be dumping it.
This would apply to low income people mostly, because:
"Verizon, T-Mobile and other major carriers still offer these services for a fee"
What happened to dialing “0”?
This is a perfect opportunity to use AI operators to replace humans. Only a company as antiquated as AT&T would miss this.
“Someone is going to make a lot of money with 1-900-4-411”
LOL
Dang. I already miss Time and Weather...
Can’t dial P-O-P-C-O-R-N anymore either!
Oh yeah. Because robocalls always work really well.
And fast.
Not.
Has this ever happened to you?
Calling PopCorn when the power went out was epic.
at the tone...the time will be.....
Outsource to a call center in Delhi, they’ll get the credit card and SSN but sure, they’ll look up a number for you.
It was probably the 90s when I last used 411...
411 is still a thing? In this country?
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