It was a long-distance, operator-assisted call to a number on the far side of the country.

Rates on calling-card and operator-assisted calls will increase an average of 3 percent.

For operator-assisted calls, follow these instructions to get the long-distance company you want: 1.

The regional companies declined to disclose the breakdown of operator-assisted calls.

In almost all cases, operator-assisted calls require dialing 0+10D.

Operator-assisted calls can be more expensive than direct dial calls.

But with international operator-assisted technology, there is no reason for the surcharges, even though many hotels still add them to bills.

The companies say they plan to use any savings that result from the technology to keep the cost of operator-assisted calls from rising.

But delays in repairs and operator-assisted services could become more common as the workweek begins.

A second group uses operator-assisted automatic teller machines in two groceries and a drugstore.

Demand for operator-assisted calls is increasing dramatically, as are labor and benefit costs for live operators.

Operator-assisted calls can be blocked as well.

On April 1 the Government began allowing long-distance phone companies to compete for operator-assisted calls made from the nation's 1.6 million pay telephones.

The switch is used to complete local calls and to support operator-assisted and calling-card calls.

Courtyards by Marriott charge the operator-assisted rate for long-distance calls, plus a 50 percent surcharge.

A second phase will be reached when long distance carriers universally accept bank or other nontelephone cards for operator-assisted calls.

There were also major delays for callers who sought to make operator-assisted calls in the Bell Atlantic area.

A.T.& T. wants to raise service charges on operator-assisted interstate calls to help offset rising costs.

The competitors have made some headway in selling their own pay telephones and providing operator-assisted long-distance service at places like hotels.

Operator-assisted access calls are free.

Even though they now offer direct-dial service, American carriers continue to make to foreign phone companies payments equal to half the inflated cost of operator-assisted calls.

But it may cause delays in reaching directory assistance, in operator-assisted calls and in service repairs.

PGi also provides audio conferencing solutions including reservationless and operator-assisted large scale event calls.

The court ruled that competitors should have the same opportunity as A.T.&T. to provide operator-assisted calls from pay phones.

These 5-ESS switches, less than 100 around the country, handle operator-assisted calls and calling-card calls.