By MATT EPSTEIN
Staff Writer
 

These rates tend to be somewhat higher then those of the big three carriers (AT&T, MCI and Sprint).

For example, a 10 minute call during the day through STS from Bates to New York will cost you $3.00, while through AT&T it is only $2.90. In the evenings, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., the difference is greater: $1.90 with STS and $1.70 with AT&T.

On weekends the difference is much more pronounced.

MCI offers a rate of 5 cents per minute on Sundays and 10 cents per minute on Saturdays and evenings, anywhere in the country, as long as you spend $5.00 a month. STS's rate is 15 cent per minute only on late nights after 11 p.m. and weekends. Sprint has a flat rate of15 cents per minute, as long as you spend $30.00.

According to Jim Bauer of information services, STS sets the rates with the college's consent.

STS is actually just a billing agency for the college. STS saves the college money by handling the billing process for less than the college could on its own.

The college uses AT&T as its long distance carrier (at corporate rates). Deregulation since the installation of the dorm phone system has altered the rate structure considerably.

"We are looking at why the rates are what they are," Bauer said.

There are alternatives for students who wish to avoid the prices charged by STS.

You can get a calling card, and always use that for your long distance service. The crutch is that all sorts of companies now offer calling cards, and finding the best rates for your needs requires shopping around.

One example that can be found at Russell Street Variety is MCI cards touting a "70 percent savings." But there is no mention is made about what the rates actually are, or where the savings come from.

To find out more about these four companies' long distance rates, call STS at 1-800-947-4787, AT&T at 1-800-CALL-ATT, Sprint at 1-800-877-4646, and MCI at 1-800-SUNDAYS.