_________________________________________________________________ SANDY SANDFORT ssandfort@attmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nickey MacDonald wrote: ". . . has anyone ever given consideration to creating an "outdial" service? If I could dial long distance into the States, and then be able to dial a 1-800 number that I cannot dial direct from Canada (which is most) this would extremely useful." At least one service, similar to what you describe, already exists. It was created primarily to take advantage of the low long distance/international rates available only from the US. Incoming calls to the US typically cost 2-3 times as much as outgoing calls to the same countries. Once you have an account, you can call a special number in the US, key in your private code, and hang up. You will immediately be called back by the service. When you answer, you will here an American dial tone. You may then dial any number in the world. The service charges you a fee that is substantially less than the international rates charges in your home country. Of course, it also allows you to call US 800 numbers, as well. The company, ITS, offers other services including programs for Americans (or anybody) travelling abroad. For more information, contact: International Telephone Services, Inc. 1750 K Street, N.W., Suite 380 Washington, DC 20006 Tel: 202 223 1307 Fax: 202 296 1643 S a n d y Please respond ONLY to: ssandfort@attmail.com _________________________________________________________________