AT&T Corp is replacing its interstate long distance call rates with a single flat rate – eliminating fees related to distance. The company says it will introduce a new pricing plan on Nov 8, under which AT&T will split its interstate rates by three different time periods — peak, off-peak and weekend. Calls will be priced at one rate during each time period, regardless of the distance called. AT&T had been expected to try and win over the top 20% of its business customers with a similar scheme whereby companies would be billed by volume of calls made rather than the distance of the call. According to AT&T, the changes will not make any difference to the companies revenues. AT&T trailed the pricing scheme with its One Rate promotion over the past year. Under the new plan, per-minute prices for peak, off-peak and weekend calls are $0.28, $0.16 and $0.13, respectively. The new time periods are peak from 0700 EST to 1859 EST Monday through Friday; off-peak from 1900 EST to 0659 EST Monday through Friday with the third covering the weekend. The new pricing formula extends the time period for the highest rate by three hours. The lowest weekend rate has been extended to include all day Saturday and Sunday, instead of ending at 1700 EST on Sunday.
