User:Osguru
My name is OSguru and I know a lot about international operator-services, it's what I do. Most people will say that OS is a dying industry; no need for live operators and no need to place collect calls. Back when making calls was more complicated, made so by limited technology and MaBell's monopoly, operators were an essential part of placing a phone call. When people traveled they almost automatically picked up the phone can called collect. Today, we have mobile phones and dial direct, for the most part.
However, and here is where OS is still viable, when a traveler is overseas, doesn't speak the language, forgot his mobile phone, battery died, etc., they will need an operator to help them place a call. This "dying" industry still produces almost a billion (USD) per year in revenue. So, while it has declined substantially since 1988 when the FCC opened up competition in OS, it's still needed.
My website is [1]. Feel free to visit anytime.