Understanding Local, Local Toll, and Long Distance Calling Areas

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Local, Local Toll and Long Distance calling areas when you're reading your telephone bill? We know it can be confusing at times, so let  Datavo help you understand.

• Local Call: any calls made within a Service Area up to 12 miles*.

• Local Toll Call (intraLATA): any calls made within a Service Area over 13 miles*. It is necessary to dail "1" when making a Local Toll Call even if the area code is the same as yours.

• Long Distance Toll Call (interLATA): any calls outside the Local and Local Toll Service Areas, calls orginating in one Service Area (LATA) and terminating in a different one, and international calls.

California is divided into 11 different Service Areas (LATA's). Which are then broken down into smaller 'Rate Centers'.

*Mileage is calculated from your local Rate Center in your community not your specific home address.