Getting Settled? Order your phone line!
Exactly
10 days after the application the Social Security Card fell on the doormat.
This meant the end to the limbo phase. Now we could become true members of the
American society. With your social security number you can apply for a bank
account, a driver's license, insurance, get a telephone connection, etc.
It is useful to note that very few organizations are allowed to actually verify
your personal data with the social security office. All other uses are merely
for an easy identification in their database, without a link into the Department
of Health that issues the SSC.
The telephone connection: The USA is undoubtedly the country with the most sophisticated computer controlled telephone system: the number of service options is unlimited, ranging from caller-identification, follow-me, call waiting, display of calling number, to automatic re-dial of the last number trying to call you. Getting a telephone connection (assuming the cable is already in place) is a matter of a few days. Bell Atlantic, serving the New Jersey area, required a deposit by check, identification (ID), and proof of a previous address. This last requirement will not be very helpful if you're from abroad, but the computer needs it, so you better have some piece of paper with your previous address (driver license). And of course they need your social security number.
A new line costs around $ 40,
a 2nd line is a bit cheaper if you request for it at the same time. This connection
amount will appear on your first bill sent to your home. Flat rate fee for 'free'
unlimited local calls is about $ 10 per month. This is useful to have if you
plan to do a lot of e-mail using a local internet provider.
They have other features like touch-tone (every telephone exchange has that
nowadays, but they manage to charge you $ 1 for this per month), call waiting
($ 5), 700 and 900 adult line block (free), conference ($ 1 if together with
call waiting), automatic re-dial, etc.
My standard feature set with call waiting and unlimited local calls was around $ 17 a month. I had the call waiting removed a month later since we did not use it, got credit for it, and added a flat rate savings plan for calls from our house to the office. Changes are easily made over the phone and almost immediately implemented.
The telephone bill consists of multiple pages that give you a complete overview of all the calls that you made: at what time, how long, to what number, as well as the costs per call and applied discount. And in case you did not know yet: '800' and '888' numbers are free of charge. All companies provide '800' numbers for inquiries, complaints, remarks, etc., which is a good example of the focus on customer satisfaction (driven by the competitive market environment) by US companies. The $ 100 deposit for security they request can be paid either by sending them a check (if you have a bank), or pay at one of their pay centers that are usually grocery or pharmacy stores. They will tell you where the nearest store locations are. You can also find them in the so-called white pages of the telephone book (that you do not yet have). With the order number you receive over the phone you go to the pay center. At the pay center they will give you another number, and with that number you can dial the telephone company again to have them open the line. The process of direct payment at a pay center takes about 3 days, the check payment obviously requires 3 to 4 days extra. Credit cards were not accepted at that time.
When applying for a telephone connection, the computer will award you a telephone number, but with some friendly negotiation you may be able to select a number combination that is of your liking. About two days after they receive your deposit and proof of previous address, plus the social security number, your line will be switched open (unless you request it to start at a specific date). This means, that you can already give your new number to your family and friends before the actual start date. This has one risk: if the number or the connection does not work properly when tested by the phone company, they may have to give you another number. So, be careful with this when you want to have new address cards printed. You have to call a long distance phone company (e.g. AT&T) and say that you want to use their service for long distance, but this will not require further explanation for most readers. Don't forget to ask for country specific rates. Most long distance companies offer you a special discount for one or more specific countries, with often even lower rates in the weekend.
After 12 months of good behaviour, the telephone company has usually accepted you as a trustworthy member and they will send you the deposit back. I was surprised to see that they even paid a small interest on the deposit!