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Basics about long distance, your long distance
service and long distance phone rate
There is specific information you should know when looking for
long distance, choosing a long distance service, and deciding on
a long distance phone rate. The more you know about the different
choices you have for long distance and your long distance phone
rate, the more money you will save. You can also compare discount
long distance rates for free and find out what long distance
service can give you the best long distance phone rates.
Deciding on Long Distance
If you believe your long distance company is charging you too much
- in flat fees, monthly minimums, and per-minute charges, there
are several options that may lower your bill. The following information
about your long distance, long distance service and long distance
phone rate will help you see how you can save money.
Long Distance Option 1: Call
your long distance telephone company.
- Ask about long distance calling plans.
- Ask if changing your long distance service will lower your bill,
based on your long distance calling history.
- Ask for details - are there any monthly flat fees on the long
distance plans that your company recommends? What about other
charges for federal and state programs and taxes?
Long Distance Option 2: Switch
long distance companies.
There are many competitors in today's long distance service market.
Web site like this one that allow you to compare long distance
phone rates are great.
Know your long distance calling pattern. Do you make most of your
long distance calls on the weekend? Or are most of your long distance
calls during weekdays? Gathering some old long distance bills can
help.
Call some competitors to ask about monthly flat fees and per-minute
rates. What is their best long distance plan, based on your calling
pattern?
Don't forget the details - are there any monthly flat fees? What
about other charges for federal and state programs and taxes? You
may be surprised to find out that companies don't all have the same
charges for federal programs - shop around!
Long Distance Option 3: Consider
dropping your long distance company.
You can drop your current long distance company without switching
to another company.
If you make very few long distance calls each month (or no calls
at all), you may be able to save money by dropping your long distance
company.
If you do this, you will have no presubscribed long-distance company,
so you will not be able to make long distance calls by dialing "1"
plus the area code and phone number.
However, you can still make long distance calls by using dial-around
companies.
Be a savvy shopper if you plan to use dial-around. Before using
a dial-around company, ask about whether any flat monthly charges
apply. Also, what are the per-minute long distance rates? Are any
charges for federal or state programs added?
What about taxes?
How do you drop your long distance phone company? Call your local
phone company and tell them that you no longer wish to have a presubscribed
long distance carrier for your phone line. Your local phone company
may charge you a small fee to drop your long distance company, the
same fee it charges customers who switch long distance companies
and it may charge you a "Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier
Charge" directly.
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