On October 19, 1993 NTT reduces rates for intercity calls of 30 km or more. In addition to reducing the basis of direct-dialed calls from subscriber telephones, the company reduces the differential between near and long-distance calls by consolidating its nine distance categories into seven. To alleviate concentrations of calls during evening hours, and to encourage efficient use of facilities, discount rates for late-night calls are expanded. This reduces the differential between near and long-distance calls in the late night - early morning hours from 11-to-1 to 8-to-1.