Long Distance Calls

The system is used in lieu of commercial calls, except in emergencies or when placing toll calls of 21 cents or less, which are subject to normal work hours. Calls to government phones require the use of a dial tone, and users must dial the area code plus the number. For example, to call a phone in Washington, D.C., users must dial 202 plus the 5-digit extension. The "IS Users Guide for FTS phone format" provides additional information on how to use the system. Official calls while traveling require users to call the FTS operator, whose number is listed in the local phone directory. Official calls from home require users to listen for the dial tone and then dial 737-1820, the FTS operator's number. Calls to commercial phones also require the use of a dial tone, and users must dial 8 and then listen for the dial tone before dialing the area code plus the number. To call a commercial phone collect, users must not use the FTS system and instead dial 0 and then place the call with the telephone company operator. The Department of State's telephone system also provides information on how to call numbers in the directory from outside phones. For example, to call a phone in Washington, D.C. from a public phone, users must dial 63 plus the 5-digit extension. To call a phone in Virginia, users must dial 55 plus the 5-digit extension. The directory also provides information on how to contact various government agencies, including the State Department, the Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. The directory also lists the zip codes for various government agencies and provides information on how to contact the FTS operator. The Department of State's telephone system is used by various government agencies, including the State Department, the Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. The system is used for official calls, and users must follow specific procedures to use the system. The