PL> it's close enough to free for me, being only a couple
 PL> of dollars more than I used to pay for just local service.

 MvdV> Seems to me you pay quit a lot on phone service. 

'bout like y'all pay for gasoline ;)

 MvdV> My monthly bill for the fixed phone averages some EUR 15,-

my no frills landlines cost me ~$30US each... when i say no frills, i mean
it, too... no caller id, no 3-way calling, no voicemail, nothing extra
'cept maybe touchtone capability...

)\/(ark