Topic 'Re: $1500?' in forum '' - dslreports.com

Re: $1500?

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:42:15 EDT

ScottMo posted : My company has several payphones (for various reasons). We pay about $92 per month to have them (per phone). Works out to about $1100 per phone per year. I think we get something like $10-12 per year in revenue, mostly from one phone.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:47:35 EDT

nothing00 posted : Large corporations do pay taxes? Well, yeah, they file taxes. They don't pay nearly what they should having had loopholes written into the tax code for themselves. Take GE who "pays taxes" to the tune of $0 and in fact receives government money (that would be money that you and I pay in taxes to go directly to their shareholder's pockets) as subsidies.

But sure, they shouldn't pay taxes. Because they're the job creators. All of the low labor cost countries they're shipping jobs off to. And we pay them to do it. Wonderful.

As for the phone booth vandalism. Let's see the bill before assuming anything OK?

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:07:01 EDT

BiggA posted : They could also just get vandalized or hit by a car or something. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more than that in damage in a year to one of those things.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:36:26 EDT

Smith6612 posted : Nailed it. I've seen many Payphones that were taken out of service smashed by someone looking for money days after the phone stopped working and before the Telephone company came out to collect it. See the same thing in many locations if the phones haven't been removed. Someone just comes by and smashes the phone to try to get the cash. Then of course there are those who smash the pay phones to get back at Telephone companies.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:57:22 EDT

Scatcatpdx posted : Union wages, transportation and equipment, usage and maintenance cost, taxes.. etc..

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:05:55 EDT

Desdinova posted : True. But that defeats the fun of being paranoid and seeing conspiracies everywhere. :D

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:04:59 EDT

Desdinova posted : Sorry, I should have been clearer. I was referring to the overall perceptions of the telco industry (in what I perceive to be most folks' opinion) and not K & M Telephone Company specifically. I have no specific reason to accuse them; it's simply a kneejerk reaction to all representatives of the telco industry. Kinda like how the majority of people get nervous when they see a cop in their rear view mirror; you'll go into a defensive mode (check speed, maybe do a quick mental inventory of how they've been driving over the past few miles to think if they might have done anything to attract their attention).

But I still think their position would be more sympathetic if they could have tossed in those numbers when they mentioned the categories of cost.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:02:57 EDT

patcat88 posted : They probably are billing the entire shift of the tech that day to check on the phone, at their retail tariffed "special construction" rate of $120 per hour, minimum 4 hours.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:16:04 EDT

elray posted :

said by nothing00:

Checking the coin box? How many trips out there did they make to collect $3.35 in change? Wouldn't you *know* how much money was in a coin box as well and schedule your trips accordingly? (OK, maybe this technology is too old for something like that.)

But ~$1500 to maintain is definitely the reason large corporations don't pay taxes. There's no way this actually cost them this much but I'm sure that's what they're writing off as an expense thanks to creative accounting and favorable tax loopholes.

Large corporations do pay taxes. Not that they should.

You obviously have never been required to maintain a public facility, be it a drinking fountain, restroom, bus shelter, trash receptacle, parking, lighting, fire protection, alarms, vending machines, or payphones. Public / commons facilities are always vandalized, and they cost real money to repair or replace.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:36:17 EDT

BiggA posted : Excuse me, I am not doubting that it costs $1500, or that it made $3.25 in a year. I am simply making commentary on that. So don't go around blaming me for saying things that I clearly and obviously didn't say.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:27:16 EDT

openbox9 posted : Some do. Others try to point out some of the facts surrounding various opinions thrown around here.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:21:14 EDT

ArrayList posted :

said by openbox9:

You're right, Karl Bode conveniently didn't quantify his opinion.

And yet we all continue to eat it up.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:06:05 EDT

BiggA posted : LOL. That and who cares? Considering people made 13 phone calls all year, I don't think anyone cares about it.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:47:02 EDT

battleop posted : I'll be honest. I don't care about what's going on in Podunk, Nebraska.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:40:38 EDT

battleop posted : "They have something I don't, where's mine?"
--Liberal America

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:20:48 EDT

IllIlIlllIll posted : rip it out, take the coins and cash the metal at a local recycle joint - :D

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:15:55 EDT

anon posted :

said by ArrayList:

I'd be curious to see how much they cost to maintain over 5 years.

any individual repair on the devices can be costly. If they need frequent repairs, they may have a problem with the repairman.

You would be surprised how many handsets have to be replaced due to someone feeling the need to tear them off the phone.

I have seen many that the armadillo cord was cut with shears just to remove the handset. It is not about the repairman not doing his job, it is about people destroying stuff that is not theirs.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:08:27 EDT

anon posted :

said by Linklist:

said by Desdinova:

Once again, considering their deceptive history, it could be earning a lot more than that and they're misreporting the numbers to support their position (but there's no direct evidence for that and it's only speculation).

And what makes you think K & M Telephone Company has a history of being deceptive? This isn't Verizon or AT&T here.

Now, now. Karl has an axe to grind and your messing it up. He linked his own op-ed as his supporting article to show his statement as fact.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:03:45 EDT

openbox9 posted :

said by ArrayList:

If they need frequent repairs, they may have a problem with the repairman.

Or the equipment may be antiquated, kind of like this requirement for a payphone. Regardless of the cost, the fact that one phone had, at best, six calls placed over the course of 365 days, is wasteful. With today's technology and availability, this standing requirement for unused payphones is ridiculous.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:55:30 EDT

openbox9 posted : You're right, Karl Bode conveniently didn't quantify his opinion.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:53:06 EDT

ArrayList posted : I'd be curious to see how much they cost to maintain over 5 years.

any individual repair on the devices can be costly. If they need frequent repairs, they may have a problem with the repairman.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:50:46 EDT

ArrayList posted :

said by openbox9:

What is the company getting paid? What's the subsidy for this one unused, unneeded phone?

quote:
K & M isn't alone since Nebraska's Public Service Commission requires each town in the State to have at least one 24-hour public pay phone. While the companies probably don't like eating these costs, the source article omits the fact that most of these telcos (small and large alike) have been subsidized billions for years for services they may -- or may have not -- ever actually provided

it was conveniently left out of the article.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:45:38 EDT

openbox9 posted : What is the company getting paid? What's the subsidy for this one unused, unneeded phone?

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:43:26 EDT

firephoto posted : "I have mine, who cares about them."
-- Conservative America

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:42:49 EDT

openbox9 posted : According to the article, the ~$1500/yr covers two payphones separated by around 25 minutes of travel time.

said by Journalstar.com :

The two pay phones generated a total of $19.58 in 2011, with less than half of that coming in as quarters and dimes for local calls. Long-distance carriers paid the rest.

The company told the commission it spent $1,469 maintaining them that same year. That includes checking the coin boxes, repairing damage and paying for dial tones, surcharges, fees, taxes and phone books, Woods said.

In all, a $1,450 hit.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:17:36 EDT

openbox9 posted :

said by Desdinova:

I won't even get into how we have only their word that it was only $3.35 in revenue.

You can always ask K&M to look at their audited books if you'd like.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:10:27 EDT

openbox9 posted :

said by nothing00:

But ~$1500 to maintain is definitely the reason large corporations don't pay taxes.

OT, but large corporations do pay taxes. One might argue that they shouldn't ;)

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:46:58 EDT

Linklist posted :

said by Desdinova:

And what makes you think K & M Telephone Company has a history of being deceptive? This isn't Verizon or AT&T here.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:40:37 EDT

Desdinova posted : "paying for dial tones, surcharges, fees, taxes and phone books"

Hmmm. How much for a dial tone? What does that involve? What surcharges and who's charging them? Is the phone company billing itself for these? Same questions for the "fees". What fees? To whom? For how much? Same for the taxes. What taxes? How much? State? Federal? Local? One phone book a year is probably pretty inexpensive, even if they occasionally get stolen (which I suspect is not the case).

Based on the long history of fraud and abusive billing practices on the part of the telco industry, I confess to being overly suspicious of any claim that they make. $1469 is a pretty specific amount which suggests that someone has done the math on a per cost basis. It seems to me that they'd have a bit more credibility for their case if they'd release the actual numbers and sources. But as it stands right now, in my eyes, their vagueness undermines their claim.

I won't even get into how we have only their word that it was only $3.35 in revenue. Once again, considering their deceptive history, it could be earning a lot more than that and they're misreporting the numbers to support their position (but there's no direct evidence for that and it's only speculation).

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:32:36 EDT

ArrayList posted : Are you trying to imply that I'm selfish enough to not care about the citizens of Podunk, Nebraska?

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:31:36 EDT

ArrayList posted :

said by Linklist:

said by ArrayList:

I could care less how much it costs if they have been getting subsidized for services that they may or may not have ever provided.

They can suck it up and just keep the phone there.

Why? If no one is using it. Payback? Getting even with the man? Yes, that would be really productive.

No. They are being paid for it. Either way they are going to get the subsidy, they should provide the phone.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:26:52 EDT

nothing00 posted : Checking the coin box? How many trips out there did they make to collect $3.35 in change? Wouldn't you *know* how much money was in a coin box as well and schedule your trips accordingly? (OK, maybe this technology is too old for something like that.)

But ~$1500 to maintain is definitely the reason large corporations don't pay taxes. There's no way this actually cost them this much but I'm sure that's what they're writing off as an expense thanks to creative accounting and favorable tax loopholes.

Edit: Still they should just get rid of this thing.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:15:56 EDT

Crookshanks posted : Of course you're risking theft of service charges over a $0.50 phone call. Probably doubtful that you'd get caught but even so...

My favorite bit of telco "hacking" was when I was on an extended hike and discovered Cat3 lying on the ground. There was nearly three miles of the stuff, clipped together every so often. It ended in a junction box for buried cable. I followed the other end and discovered it also ended in a burial junction box. Naturally when I got home I had to get my buttset and drive back out there to see if there was dial tone on either of the pairs. Low and behold there was.

A friend of mine who works for Frontier noticed the pictures I put up on FB and checked it out for me. Come to find out a 25 pair segment of buried cable failed and they left the Cat3 lying on the ground next to the road to provide dial tone service for the ONE customer that had a phone on that road. I wonder if they ever fixed that buried cable or if the Cat3 is still there?

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:59:01 EDT

battleop posted : Since the payphone is operated by a 3rd party the LEC isn't going to terminate the POTS line into the payphone it's self. They will place a NID next to the payphone, very often at a height you can reach. All you need is a screwdriver or torx bit to open the NID and a buttset to make a call.
--
I do not, have not, and will not work for AT&T/Comcast/Verizon/Charter or similar sized company.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:56:05 EDT

battleop posted : Why do you care about a pay phone that's in a town you will probably never visit?

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:39:00 EDT

Linklist posted :

said by ArrayList:

I could care less how much it costs if they have been getting subsidized for services that they may or may not have ever provided.

They can suck it up and just keep the phone there.

Why? If no one is using it. Payback? Getting even with the man? Yes, that would be really productive.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:36:19 EDT

ArrayList posted :

said by IllIlIlllIll:

these days, any phones you find are third party rip-offs, they typically have a regular restricted POTS line entering a computerized phone, easy enough to just tap into the incoming line and make free calls.

please continue. I want to hear more about this.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:35:06 EDT

ArrayList posted :

quote:
While the companies probably don't like eating these costs, the source article omits the fact that most of these telcos (small and large alike) have been subsidized billions for years for services they may -- or may have not -- ever actually provided.

I could care less how much it costs if they have been getting subsidized for services that they may or may not have ever provided.

They can suck it up and just keep the phone there.

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:32:50 EDT

IllIlIlllIll posted : $1500 for to maintain the physical phone, pay any costs to have it located on the property and empty the money from it i suppose.
i remember the days where a Bell/AT&T phone was every 1/16 of a mile.
these days, any phones you find are third party rip-offs, they typically have a regular restricted POTS line entering a computerized phone, easy enough to just tap into the incoming line and make free calls.
--
Suffolk County NY Police Feed - »www.scpdny.com
PS3 Gaming Feed - »www.livestream.com/elitedata

Re: $1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:32:12 EDT

Linklist posted :

said by thegeek:

how the hell does it cost that much to have a phone that just sits there unused?

From the linked story:

quote:
The company told the commission it spent $1,469 maintaining them that same year. That includes checking the coin boxes, repairing damage and paying for dial tones, surcharges, fees, taxes and phone books, Woods said.

$1500?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:27:02 EDT

thegeek posted : how the hell does it cost that much to have a phone that just sits there unused?