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A good business long distance plan can help your
large or small business get to the next level
You can tailor your business long distance calling plan to meet
your needs. If you need a small business long distance plan the
best thing to do is understand your calling patterns. Once you identify
how you are most likely to use your long distance call plan you
can then set up your business long distance plan without any problem.
You want to fully understand what goes into your business long distance
plan so that you can save money, especially if you are a small business
entrepreneur.
You can compare business long distance calling plans and find discount
long distance rates to see which company can save you the most
money. There are certain things you should consider when developing
a good business long distance or small business long distance plan.
The number and time of long distance calls may seem insignificant
to some people, but when devising your business long distance plan,
the information is invaluable.
The comparison provided on this site allows you to develop a good
business long distance plan so that you can concentrate on making
your company profitable and not having to worry about how much your
long distance plan is costing you this month.
Understanding laws within the long distance industry is also important.
In this next section we discuss "detariffing" of long
distance. The more you know the more likely it is you will make
a wiser decision on your next business long distance plan.
Know Your Business Long Distance
Plan
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the "detariffing"
of domestic interstate long distance telephone service. What does
this mean to you, the consumer?
A "tariff" is a legal document that a company files with
a regulatory agency describing the rates, terms, and conditions
of the services it provides. In the past, companies that provided
interstate long distance service had to file these tariffs with
the FCC, the regulatory agency that oversees the telephone industry.
These tariffs included the cost per minute of calling at various
times, cancellation procedures, and all other elements controlling
the company's provision of service to you. The company was obligated
to provide service according to the terms of the tariff.
Now long distance companies must make this information, which includes
the vast majority of their interstate long distance services and
rate plans, available directly to you, the consumer. Detariffing
makes it easier for you to find out what you are paying for your
service and what other interstate long distance companies are charging
for their services. That way, you can compare the terms of your
service to the terms offered by other companies. This will give
companies a greater incentive to reduce prices and improve their
terms in order to remain competitive.
Generally, you and your interstate long distance company will now
deal with each other by means of an individual contract, just as
you deal with many other entities, such as your credit card company.
Your long distance company must make available to you the rates,
terms, and conditions of your service, and it is up to you whether
to agree to them, as in any other contract. If you do not agree
with them, you can look for another company that offers terms that
better suit your needs.
Under the FCC's detariffing rules, each long distance company is
required to post a schedule of its rates, terms, and conditions
on its Web site, if it has one. If you do not have access to the
Internet, but want to use it to compare long distance prices, you
can use the computer at your local library to get access.
Each company must also keep copies of this schedule at a business
location of its choosing. Call or write your long distance company
to find out this location or to learn how you can obtain information
about the terms and conditions of your service and of all the services
and rate plans your company offers. You should also make sure you
read your bill inserts and letters from your interstate long distance
company. Many companies are using these methods to inform you of
their rates and conditions.
Consumers may contact their state consumer protection agency, Better
Business Bureau, or state Attorney General's Office to learn about
the protections and remedies available under their state contract
and consumer protection laws. Although interstate long distance
companies will no longer file tariffs with the FCC, the FCC will
maintain its jurisdiction over these companies. Consumers can continue
to file complaints about long distance companies with the FCC. You
and
Detariffing has already begun for domestic interstate long distance
services. Companies must detariff their international
services by January 28, 2002. Because of detariffing, consumers
now have access to a lot more information about the calling plans
of all interstate domestic long distance service providers. Be a
smart shopper. Get as much information as you can about the various
plans and products your company offers and compare the costs with
those of other service providers in your area. You may be surprised.
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