In the U.S. and Canada, people pay a fixed monthly rate for local calls, and can stay on the line as long as they want. The phone companies depend on long-distance charges for the majority of their profits. Local business lines work the same way, but companies must pay a higher rate for them.

　　Telephone books in Canada and the U.S. list almost all numbers, and everyone who has a phone receives an updated copy every year, free of charge. Unless you are handicapped, calling an operator for a number that is listed will cost you money.