Phone deal reaches far Robert Galster News Reporter ‘vobert@nsnzws.com IT is commonplace to see telephone long-dis- tance companies falling all over themselves to woo customers with a wide range of long-dis- tance packages. There is one deal they simply can’t beat —- free long-distance within Greater Vancouver with no. strings attached. Fone Pass Communica- tions, a Warerloo-based cora- pany with the financial back- ing of two North Shore real- tors, introduced the service late fast week, It’s really quite simple, said John Stix, Fone [ass’s vice president. A caller sim- ly dials 717-6225 and fol- lows the directions on the line. : A short plug from the sponsoring realtors is fol- lowed by a voice asking callers to dial the number they wish to connect to. Within seconds caliers are connected to their desired destination, free of charge. Fone Pass Communica- tions is not a true long-dis- tance carrier. The company is only able to provide its free service for callers crossing one so-called tariff line. In essence, the service patches calls from outlying areas into a rerouting station Fone Pass has set up in Vancouver. As a result, the calls are counted as originating in Vancouver and have free-of- charge access to all Lower Mainland locations. The North Shore’s free-calling area then comes to include communities as distant as White Rock, Langley and Surrey. - Although they are new to B.C, Stix and his partner Jody” Schnarr have been at their game for abour five years. In fact, to date they have installed their technolo- gy in 54 centres across Canada. “My idea eventually is to connect all of these locations We specialize in custom desig ign #2: 2435 Marine Dr, West Van 922-3014 (work tone) in our Home Sale Insert included in this ewspaes through the Internet and that’s really gemg to) turn sone tieads,” said Stix, “Irs worked our betier than fever imagmed.~ In the meantime he has plenty to keep him busy. Fon: Pass Communications is planning to have a similar system in’ place for Abbotstord and Chilliveack in the next two months while longer term goals include Halifax and Florida. The company is also looking at expansion into — Texas, Caiirornia and New York state, BC Tel is making moves of its own, *The bottom line is... we're working with = the GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District) to bring around local calling around the Greater Vancouver area,” said BC Tel spokesman Doug Strachan. BC Tel is trying to gather momentum for its proposal to eliminate local calling charges.- The company wants to introduce a monthly fee rate hike of between $0.50 to $2 in order to cover the expense of the change. The plan will require Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission approval and as a result any changes are at least a vear away.BC Tel made a similar proposal in 1993 that the public voted down by 2 narrow margin. The company’s current pro- posal will also require the puklic’s input. Nevertheless, Strachan said BC Tel doesn’t see the Fone Pass as a viable alternative. “On onc hand you can say it’s free but on the other it’s your time and you have to see how much of a nuisance it (the comunercial message greeting callers of the ser- vice) is,” said Strachan. FACTORY F N Entrance tn rear lane CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS STON Sat. Il-Gpm Sunday 12-5 - ‘H4-4504 | NEWS photo Mike Wokefield FONE Pass Communications vice president John Stix is bringing free local calling to Greater Vancouver. As it stands, the “nui- sance” factor is kept to nine seconds. The Lower Mainland ser- vice is sponsored by two realtors working out of the North Vancouver Re/Max Crest Realty office. “Pm just trying to give something back to the com- munity, said Michael Schelhaas who along with Peter Jones has paid “ a sig nificant amount™ tu provide the service. “We're trying ta puta better face on realtors on the North Shore.” With Fone Pass’s estimate of 80,000 daily cailers using the system, Schelhaas’s mes- sage stands a good chance of getting out. UTON BLOWOUT! ObI. $397 ae Pa sctes sah pine saa tel fame, Wipe foam cove foto, sentch-gaced fate coves, pilaws 2:4 plow cover, Walle guaahies ist FALL SPECIALS (valid ot Westview Shopping Centre only} $ 39"5 PERM {long hair extra) ‘$400 oFF OFF + 5 Haire ut i Le EE —— Westview Malbx 986:7088 + | #720- -260¥ Weitview Dr., North Van a | JAYLORMOTIVE’ | 1 COLLISION SPECIALIST B.C.A.A, - A.R.A. APPROVED CENTRE e ot ALL MAKE COLUSION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” 8 Alternative transportation arranged TALKING x Estimates * 7300. e000 Consultation (7141515. 985-7455 Stately Tulips Wonderful colour selection. Varied flowering times. $79 99 10 bulbs for 2 ° Narcissus Thalia Vigorous mid-spring flowering. 3 or more long lived flowers & per bulb. | 98 : * 5 bulbs for $35 Garden Miniatures SNOWBOARD ~ PACKAGES NEW & USED: FROM: "299" . "984-4394 984-7191 Ideal for rockeries and containers. Pictured: Snowdrops $A 98 10 bulbs for 4: Celebrating our 65th year OPEN Monday to Saturday SS 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. TAN | Friday to 7:00 pm OPEN Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Page 7 -Eaton Home Cotton North Shore ownea & Operaced Flannel sheet sets and duvet covers - size range incorrectly described. Copy should read: “Twin to Queen sizes Our reg. $44.99 to $79.99 sale $33.74 een ize to our fe sincerely apolog! valued customers and regret any inconvenience or contu- sion this may have caused. EATON’S 2 Sul Days Friday thru Monday Any car on our lot. 720 Marine © De, North Van 987-7493 WEST-VAN- FLORIST & GARDEN CENTRE 1821 Marine Drive, West Vancouver * Tel: 922-4171 - * 922- 3968 Fax: 922- 9735 RESELL SAAN tote es bye eet ee tee o> 4