Most landlines, of which a significant number are VOIP do not charge per call or per minute to any number in the US. There is a flat monthly fee for unlimited calling. Mobile phones charge the same per minute regardless of the number dialed.
Yes, this is oversimplified and there are billing options which do strange things, but it's unlikely that the reason for the local number policy is the cost of the call.
It seems fairly likely to me. The phone lines that charge extra for long distance are exactly those cheap, low-functionality lines that a system like this is probably hooked up to.
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Most landlines, of which a significant number are VOIP do not charge per call or per minute to any number in the US. There is a flat monthly fee for unlimited calling. Mobile phones charge the same per minute regardless of the number dialed.
Yes, this is oversimplified and there are billing options which do strange things, but it's unlikely that the reason for the local number policy is the cost of the call.
It seems fairly likely to me. The phone lines that charge extra for long distance are exactly those cheap, low-functionality lines that a system like this is probably hooked up to.