Before the big Ma Bell split up, due to them being a monopoly, even local calls were often charged. And long distance rates were horrible, and there were none

Before the big Ma Bell split up, due to them being a monopoly, even local calls were often charged. And long distance rates were horrible, and there were none of these independents. Back then, there wasn't a reason, because such call devices cost hard cash per call. And it's really only gotten super bad the last decade.