Right on, Ruth!

Two comments of interest to everyone in the CNMI: 1) your critique of the Bank of Guam Internet site is right on. I applaud you for bringing this site to attention. Perhaps they will do something about it. 2) You mentioned the difficulty you had with doing business with mainland companies due to the “MP” state code and the “800” telephone links only in passing. These things need more space.

The “MP” state code can usually be fixed by calling the affected company and asking them to have their programmers add the code to their database. Doesn’t always work, but I have had success in getting this done with several companies. Another possibility, albeit not too bright, is to put the city (Saipan) and the state (MP) together in the city blank, then add the “HI” state, then add the correct ZIP code. This sometimes “fools” the pre-programmed computers into acceptance “ and mail WILL still get through in spite of other postal inadequacies.

The problem with the “800” number is much more onerous “ and is part of a very bad trend towards the CNMI. It is a problem I brought up a few times right after it first occurred, but no one listened. It all started March 1, 2004 with two developments at the same time, independent of each other, but both with dangerous connotations to the CNMI, perhaps even illegal and never addressed by the CNMI government.

In March 2004, the U.S. Post Office ceased all Express mail service to the CNMI. Their reasons were vague but centered on a flurry of customer complaints for “slow” service. The U. S. Post Office has been historically loathe to “fix” services called into question. They usually opt to simply discontinue the affected service. “Delivery Confirmation” and “Express Mail” are two examples of deleted services to the CNMI only. Postal regulations do not permit such discrimination between points of (national) delivery. Apparently no one has been willing to fight this situation through the courts. The Post Office could have simply altered the time limits for express mail to account for the distance but chose to eliminate complaints by eliminating the service instead.

Also in March of 2004, MCI/Sprint discontinued all “800” (which also includes 866, 877, 888 numbers) number service over their networks from the CNMI to the U. S. Mainland. MCI/Sprint controls about 25 percent of those numbers. If you make an “800” call and happen to dial to a business (or person) using MCI/Sprint as their primary carrier, you will get a message stating that the number you have dialed cannot be reached from your area. The problem is not the business but rather the telephone carrier. That covers about 25 per cent of ALL “800” numbers and that has a big impact on business throughout the CNMI. It may also be illegal since FCC regulations effective as of July 1998 brought all telephone service to and from the CNMI under the “national” calling umbrella. Those same regulations do not permit “800” number discrimination within the “national” umbrella. This is just another reason why we need to get a “Public Utilities Commission” online so these discriminatory anti-CNMI business—and perhaps illegal—activities can be addressed.

Meanwhile, you can alleviate some cost for long distance telephone service by purchasing an AT&T domestic prepaid calling card. I use the one from Sam’s Club, but others are available directly over the Internet. Fortunately AT&T still honors the “national” umbrella calling system from the CNMI mandated by the FCC. The cards can be purchased in denominations from 100 to 2400 minutes (domestic) and cost around 3.5 cents per minute. Simply call the “800” number (still free) and then dial any other number you want (except other “800” nos.) at the most reasonable rates in the world.

Thank you Ruth, for another well done column.

Dr. Thomas D. Arkle Jr.
San Jose, Tinian