For an extra charge, a subscriber could obtain a phone number in an area where he believed many business calls would originate. The caller would just pay the local rate. The set-up might still be available but with more modern telecommunications (and lower pricing), the practice has greatly declined. Say you own a ghost eradication business in New York City but take on a (702) tie line. Now it's "Ghostbusters Visits Las Vegas!" which would make a great new movie. Copyright!!!