Operator assistance
In addition, operators are often a first point of contact for the elderly wanting information on the current date and time.Since the introduction of direct dial telephone service and the subsequent drop in the price of long distance telephone calls, person-to-person service has virtually disappeared.A messenger call has been used in countries in which home telephones are unusual, and before the boom in cell phones in the early 21st century.The telephone operator will greet each call participant, gather specific information from each participant, introduce key speakers, and manage questions and answers, all from the telephone.Time and charges was a service that could be requested of an operator before a call began.