Where's the beep? Cell phone users revolt against money-wasting voicemail prompts

Why is it that whenever you try to leave a cell phone message for someone, after you hear their outgoing voice message, you hear a recorded voice rambling on with more information?

"To page this person, press five now," the AT&T one goes. "When you are finished, you may hang up, or press one for more options."

We know how voicemail works. Why do they bother?

I'll tell you why. The phone companies do it to rip you off. The longer you have to spend to leave or retrieve voicemail, the more minutes you use, and the more money they make.

David Pogue, technology writer for The New York Times and contributor to CBS News Sunday Morning, snagged the confirmation.