Sprint Does an About-face

Arutz 7 ^ | 07:33 Sep-09-01, | staff

[Nachum]

(IsraelNationalNews.com) The Sprint Company has released a statement announcing that the listing of “Palestine” on the company’s website and on some client bills was an error that has been corrected to reflect “Palestine Authority”. Last week, ‘INN’ reported that Sprint was listing Palestine on client bills for some telephone calls made to the region. Sprint spokesperson Monica Evans-Trout explained that since the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) activated the PA calling code of 970, the code has been added to the Sprint database. The 970 code is now used to reflect certain Mideast designations as per international agreement. “Sprint uses the codes designated by the ITU and in no way expresses political or any other statements through its provision of service,” read the statement.

[rebdov]

Everyone was quick to call this an Urban Legend. Apparently it was no legend. Thanks for posting this. Seems like they did try to lend a hand to the State Department and decide on their own what's what. I have the same complaint against many Atlas makers. They have tread even where the accursed UN hasn't.

[Joe 6-pack]

I was confident there was more to this than an urban legend. A few year back there was a certian long distance carrier that charged my folks for calls to North Korea while I was stationed near Seoul.

[Lessismore]

From PalTel

November 14, 2000

970… Your Gateway to Palestine
Number of countries utilizing 970 code is continuously increasing. 55 countries currently and more under way.

Arab countries
Algeria (Ministry of PTT), Jordan (JTC), Oman (GTO), Qatar(Q-Tel), Bahrain (Batelco), Kuwait (DIRGENTEL - MoC), Morocco (IAM), Saudi Arabia (Saudi Telephone Company), Yemen (TELEYEMEN), Sudan (SudaTel), Tunisia (Tunisie Telecom), Egypt (Telecom Egypt), UAE (Etisalat), Iran (Intertel Tehran. Iran)

Non-Arab countries
China (China Telecom), USA (MCI)(MCI), Hungary (MATAV), Turkey (Turk Telecom), Belgium (Belgacom), Brazil (Embratel), Sweden (Telia), Greece (OTE), India (VSNL), Canada (Teleglobe), Peru (Telefonica), Finland-Sonerra (Sonerra), UK (CWC), Singapore (Telecom, Singapore), Netherlands (KPN), Indonisia (INDOSAT), Australia (Optus), Ierland (Eircom), Denemark (TeleDenemark), Mexico (TELMEX), Cuba (ETECSA), South Africa (Telekom SA limited), France (France Telecom), Romania (ROMTELECOM), Nicaragua (enitel), San Marino, Switzerland (Swisscom), Switzerland (Sunrise), Poland (Polish Telecom), Spain (Telefonica), USA (AT&T), Malaysia (Malaysia Telekom), UK (BT), Malta (Maltakom), Venezuela (CANTV), Colombia

In 1999, Palestine regained its national right in utilizing the Palestinian Gateway 970 as stipulated by the UN resolution 191, following a long strive with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). With the activation of 970, Palestine can now link directly to the world without the need to go through the Israeli code 972. Work is in progress to sign further mutual agreements with other countries to recognize Palestine international independent telephone code. Nevertheless, political complications still cause serious obstacles, which hinders smooth proceeding in this track.

[OldFriend]

Guess they were taking a page from CNN........ a special thanks to those who noticed and made a difference.

[SJackson]

So this wasn't a legend after all. Thanks.