PhoneDog.com Long Distance articles

Conference Calling - Gotham Conference offers low cost alternative

7/8/2008

An increase in overall economic uncertainty has created pullbacks across all business, but especially in the SMB market. Almost all are reviewing their budgets to figure out what can be trimmed and where in order to continue operating in the black.

Businesses today are often dispersed throughout satellite and remote offices across the country or even around the world. And due to rising fuel and general operation costs the need for an affordable, bread-and-butter communication system to connect salespeople, customers, and vendors has never been greater.

Conference Calling is one such communication service that remains as important as ever. Conducting a professional conference call puts a Fortune 500 face on any small business while creating a cost and time savings that goes straight to the bottom line. Being able to host a daily sales meeting or operations call for mere pennies per minute for each participant creates an unparalleled value in time and travel savings as well as increased communication only possible through actual conversation.

Any good conference call provider should offer both toll-free and toll access at the same competitive rate, have a 100% Tier 1 backbone, live US based operators easily accessible by pressing *0, a full suite of keypad-accessible features and functions, an instant card distribution system, and no monthly fee or minimum usage commitments of any kind. In addition they should be completely reservationless. Gotham Conference offers all of these features in addition to the peace of mind that they have never once raised their rates.

For more information on Gotham Conference, click here.

More AT&T rate increases take effect

3/11/2008

Another round of rate increases for "legacy" AT&T long distance plans is on the way. Effective March 1, the following plans' monthly recurring fees increased:

One Rate 7¢ Plus Increases from $4.95 to $5.95

One Rate 5¢ - Increases from $7.95 to $8.95 for customers also subscribed to AT&T as their local toll carrier and have opted for online billing.

AT&T Select Saver Increases from $3.75 to $4.99

AT&T One Rate 7¢ Global Plan Increases from $4.95 to $5.95

Consumers on these plans may want to compare the new cost of their monthly long distance service to other options, both with landline long distance carriers and over other platforms such as cell phones, Skype, and prepaid calling cards. While the cost of these alternative technologies may not end up saving money versus the AT&T plans, it's generally smart for consumers to do a communications "check-up" at least once every six months regardless. These rate increases could be just the incentive needed to get out those bills and run the numbers. The money you save could be yours!

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

Cell phones and VoIP could make landlines obsolete

11/16/2007

The inevitable march of technological progress in the telecommunications industry will likely make the old-fashioned copper wire-based landline telephone a thing of the past, according to a recent article in the Tulsa World. The explosion in wireless phone use coupled with the increasing reliability and low cost of VoIP calling has forever altered the telecom landscape. "Lots of people bought a second landline connection for dial-up Internet, but with a broadband connection they don't need a second line" since broadband provides simultaneous voice and Internet capabilities, said TRAC Research Associate John Breyault.

A recent study indicated that that number of cellular-only households in the United States has surpassed the number of landline-only households in the U.S. Ten years ago, in the wake of the landmark 1996 Telecommunications Act, such a statistic would have been unthinkable. According to the study released by market research firm Mediamark the number of landline-only U.S. households now stands at 12.3%. By comparison, the percentage of households with only wireless phones is now 14.4%.

This trend, towards cellular-only living is being driven by the young. "Fifty-seven percent of 18-24 year-olds who live in single-person households are now cell-only, making them more than four times as likely to be cell-only as the average adult," the study found.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

AT&T raising unlimited plan rates

4/2/2007

Subscribers to AT&T's long distance plans may not be in a laughing mood when they see their April bill. According to the company, the monthly recurring fee for the "AT&T Unlimited Plan" will increase from $25.95 to $28.99. This plan offers unlimited long distance calling to other AT&T long distance customers (7¢ per minute for calls to non-AT&T customers).

The change will become effective on April 1, 2007. In addition to the AT&T change, most long distance carriers will also be raising their Universal Service Fund (USF) fee (also known as the Universal Connectivity Charge) from 9.7% to 11.7% of total monthly domestic and international long distance charges. The USF fee is generally passed along to consumers as a result of the contribution factor that the FCC sets on a quarterly basis.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

AT&T wants to cease BellSouth long distance services

4/2/2007

Users of long distance telephone service could have one less option available to them if an AT&T request is approved by the FCC. Prior to its merger with AT&T's BellSouth offered a number of long distance plans to consumers living in its nine-state service area. In response to its merger with BellSouth, AT&T is requesting authorization to discontinue these dial-1 long distance plans as well its toll-free, international long distance, calling card, and virtual private network (VPN) services.

If the FCC grants AT&T's request, the company will cease offering these services to new subscribers on or after April 27, 2007. AT&T continues to offer similar services under its own brand name and will continue to service existing subscribers of the old BellSouth services until their existing contracts expire or are terminated.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

Too many consumers overpaying for phone service

3/13/2007

Frequent readers of the Chicago Tribune and other Tribune Company newspapers may be aware of a regular column entitled "Spending Smart." The column is chock-full of good money-saving tips. This past Sunday, the focus was on telephone costs and TRAC was pleased to be able to add our advice to the article.

"People who obsess over the price for a gallon of milk don't think twice about overpaying for telecom," said John Breyault, TRAC Research Associate. "Over a year, you could be overspending by hundreds of dollars." Bundled plans, which often include local, long distance, and wireless phone service and increasingly Internet and television service may help high-volume callers save money, but others will still be able to save by picking and choosing the right plan to fit their needs, noted the article. To read the full column, click here.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

BellSouth offers new toll-free service

12/11/2006

On Wednesday, November 29, BellSouth announced that it was launching a new "Toll-free at Home Service" for its current long distance customers. The service includes a toll-free number and a personal identification number (PIN) that subscribers can use to call their home phone numbers from anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. The service is not cheap at 10¢ a minute, but for consumers who want a way for someone from outside their local calling area to call them at no cost, it certainly beats the high fees of collect calls.

The service is available to any BellSouth long distance subscriber and does not have a monthly service fee. This service could be a good option for consumers who have many friends and relatives outside of town and don't want their callers to have to pay long distance fees. For consumers who only take calls from a few out-of-town callers, however, a better option may be to invest in prepaid phone cards and mail them to the people you want to call you or hand them out at family gatherings over the holidays. The cards that are available for purchase at major discount warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's, Wal-Mart, and Target tend to have lower per-munte rates than BellSouth's toll-free service.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

FCC should safeguard consumers in merger

10/18/2006

The Department of Justice this week approved the mammoth $78 billion merger of AT&T and BellSouth without placing any conditions on the deal. The issue now moves to the Federal Communications Commission, which is expected to take up the issue on Friday, October 12. Given AT&T's history of raising the rates and fees it charges its long distance subscribers residing outside the old 13-state SBC local service region, TRAC would like AT&T to commit to a moratorium on long distance rate and fee increases as a condition any FCC approval of the deal. "AT&T has taken advantage of its legacy out-of-region long distance subscribers for long enough," said TRAC founder and chairman Samuel A. Simon. "We urge the FCC to offer some relief to these long-suffering consumers by placing meaningful preconditions on an eventual merger approval." Despite increased competition from wireless devices and third-party and cable VoIP services, local and long distance cost increases for consumers have far outpaced the rate of inflation over the last several years. "If the FCC is going to allow a dominant industry player to grow even more, it should get meaningful commitments from AT&T to ensure that consumers can continue to afford basic local and long distance phone service," said Simon.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

MCI long distance rates increase again

9/27/2006

Many MCI long distance subscribers could be in store for more of a trick than a treat when the calendar turns over to October. This is due to the announcement from MCI that they will be raising the per-minute rate of the MCI Nationwide plan by 1¢ to 6¢ per minute. While 1¢ may not sound like a lot, consider the larger impact of the change.

First, a typical 20 minute long distance phone call would now cost 20¢ more. Second, MCI charges a variety of percentage-based taxes, fees, and surcharges that are applied based on the amount of charges in a given month. For example, 10.5% of the total of all long distance charges and the monthly service is how MCI calculates the Federal Universal Service Fee (FUSF). The Nationwide Plan charges a $5.95 monthly service fee along with the 6¢ per minute rate. On a monthly bill with one hour of calling prior to the increase, the FUSF fee would have been 94¢. The 1¢ increase to 6¢ per minute increases the FUSF on that same bill to $1.00.

In addition, MCI also charges a property tax surcharge equal to 2.5% of long distance charges. On the same sample monthly bill with one hour of calling prior to the increase, this surcharge would have been 22¢. With the 1¢ per-minute rate increase, the property-tax surcharge now increases to 24¢ per month. Additional percentage-based state and local taxes on subscribers' bills could also increase the total bill thanks to the per-minute rate increase. While small per-minute rate or monthly service fee increases often seem fairly harmless on their face, it is the subsequent effect on other taxes, fees, and surcharges that can really take a bite out of consumers' checkbooks.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

AT&T raising monthly minimums on 13 plans

9/6/2006

AT&T long distance customers may need to call their out-of-town friends and family more often in order to avoid a new fee that the telecom giant is levying. Effective with bills issued after September 1, 2006, AT&T is raising the "minimum monthly usage charge" on thirteen plans by 99¢ to $9.99 per month. This comes on the heels of the company's announcement in July that it was raising the "minimum monthly usage charge" on seven other plans.

The minimum monthly usage charge is applied when plan subscribers fail to incur the required amount of long distance charges in a month. When calling charges fail to equal the monthly minimum, AT&T applies the minimum monthly usage charge in lieu of the calling charges. Fees such as the Universal Connectivity Charge, State Carrier Line Charge, Single Bill Fee, Payphone Surcharge, Carrier Cost Recovery Fee, and other federal, state, and local taxes still apply. To find out if the fee increase affects you, please look for your long distance plan on the list below:

AT&T 5¢ Evenings Plan
AT&T 5¢ Nights
AT&T Cash Back 12¢ Offer
AT&T One Rate
AT&T One Rate 10¢
AT&T One Rate 7¢
AT&T One Rate Global Plan
AT&T One Rate Off-Peak (excluding California plan)
AT&T One Rate Off-Peak III
AT&T One Rate Plan
The Seven Cents Plan
AT&T Simple Minutes
AT&T True Reach

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

New minimum usage rates on AT&T plans

6/5/2006

Customers on the following plans or signing up for the following AT&T long distance plans starting 7/1/06 could be affected. See below to determine if and when your long distance plans monthly minimum usage fee could be raised.

The monthly usage minimum is $5 for customers enrolled in the AT&T One Rate Simple Plan effective 7/1/06.

The monthly usage minimum is $7 (this will increase to $9, effective 8/1/2006) for customers enrolled in the following plans:

AT&T Simplified Calling
AT&T One Rate Basic
AT&T One Rate 12¢
AT&T Corporate Appreciation
AT&T eWeekends (Online offer)
AT&T One Rate Online
AT&T One Rate Off-Peak California

The monthly usage minimum is $9 (this will increase to $9.99, effective 9/1/2006) for customers enrolled in the following plans:

AT&T Cash Back Offer
AT&T True Reach Savings
AT&T One Rate Off-Peak
AT&T 5¢ Evenings (Online offer)
AT&T One Rate 7¢
AT&T One Rate 9¢
AT&T Simple Minutes
AT&T One Rate
AT&T One Rate Off-Peak III
AT&T 5¢ Nights (Online offer)
CALL ATT Seven Cents
AT&T One Rate 10¢

General

6/5/2006

After signing up for a long distance service provider reviewed at e-wisdom.com your request in sent to that specific company. After approved for services by the long distance provider, please allow 3 to 10 business days for activation.

This time is spent getting the proper codes and information to your local provider. You will receive confirmation from your new long distance company after this time via e-mail or telephone. Once confirmed, make a long distance call and start saving!

MCI To Raise Fees on 19 Long Distance Plans

6/1/2006

The heat will be on for MCI long distance subscribers in June as the monthly recurring costs on 19 so-called "block of time" long distance plans will be increasing by as much as $2 per month. Affected plans include:

Bonus Block 200 Increases $2 to$14.95
Bonus Block 250 - Increases $2 to $21.99
Bonus Block 500 - Increases $2 to $31.99
Bonus Block 700 - Increases $2 to $41.99
Bonus Block 1000 - Increases $2 to $51.99
Nationwide 200 - Increases $1 to $10.95
Nationwide 200 Instate - Increases $1 to $13.95
Nationwide 300 - Increases $1 to $10.95
Nationwide 300 Instate - Increases $1 to $13.95
Anytime 200 - Increases $1 to $11.95
Anytime 200 Instate Increases $1 to $15.95
Select 200 Plans (all options) - Increases $1 to $15.95
Select 200 Instate (all options) - Increases $1 to $15.95
Select 200 Interstate (all options) - Increases $1 to $11.95
Anytime 300/Anytime Choice 300 - Increases $1 to $11.95
Anytime 300 Instate/Anytime Choice 300 Instate - Increases $1 to $15.95
MCI Select Savings 300/MCI Signature Savings 300 Advantage Option - Increases $1 to $11.95
MCI Select Savings 300 Instate /MCI Signature Savings 300 Instate - Increases $1 to $15.95

All fee increases are set to take effect June 1, 2006.

Consumers who choose to remain with MCI as their long distance provider should call MCI customer service to determine if there is a better plan to meet their calling needs. For example, subscribers to the Nationwide 300 plan may want to consider switching to the MCI Nationwide 300 Extra Savings plan, as users get the same number of minutes and a lower overage rate (5¢ versus 9¢ per minute on the Nationwide 300 plan) for $1.45 less per month.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

Pioneer

5/31/2006

Yes, Pioneer can definitely provide service for your seasonal home. However, I would recommend signing up and keeping your long distance service year round. There is no need to cancel since Pioneer does not charge a monthly or minimum usage fee. You would only pay for the calls that were made the two months you were visiting the home.

General

5/29/2006

No, as a consumer you are not required to have long distance on your residential telephone account. Long distance is an optional service that can be added at the customer's discretion. If you believe that you may ever need or want to add long distance services to your home phone, I would recommend returning to e-wisdom.com to review the discount service providers available in your area.

Pioneer

5/8/2006

When wanting to view your monthly statement with Pioneer, please go to www.mybillonline.com . Once you have entered the site, first establish your login ID and then go into Ebill and click on View Bill.

One the left side of the page, please click on Long Distance Calls which is under Call Details. Then click the Refresh icon. If you still are having an issue viewing your bill, please contact Pioneer customer service.

Pioneer

5/8/2006

When setting up Pioneer long distance service that includes the use of a fax machine, you will be charged the standard per minute rate. Pioneer would be able to assist you with your specific request and the set up process is a snap. I would recommend looking at the plans that Pioneer offers to choose the best plan to fit your needs.

Pioneer

3/28/2006

Unfortunately at this time Pioneer calling cards only work in areas covered by the North American Numbering Plan (npa-nxx). However Pioneer is exploring ways to expand its use in the future.

Ratewatcher Telecom Guide - By Maine.gov

3/11/2006

The State of Maine's Public Advocate Office has just released that latest edition of their Ratewatcher Telecom Guide. As usual, the Guide is chock-full of good information on telecom services and prices. Much of the information in the guide is, as one would expect, Maine-specific, but there is lots of good pricing and service information on national carriers as well. Of particular note to consumers outside of Maine is the information on prepaid calling cards, residential VoIP plans, national dial-up ISPs, and satellite broadband providers. The Ratewatcher Telecom Guide is available for free online.

Click here to go to the guide

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

Fees

2/27/2006

The additional taxes could include a federal excise tax, Federal Telecommunications Relay Service Fund, FCC Common Carrier Regulatory Fee, and other State and county taxes.

All of these fees vary and depend on your specific area. I would recommend looking at a previous long distance bill from someone with the same area code and prefix to find out more specific taxes for your area.

General

2/22/2006

"Switch regional calling area" means that you are giving the new service provider authority to take over your local toll calls (also known as regional calls, or local long distance calls). These calls are made directly beyond your local calling area, and will be charged at the in-state rate. You can refer to the front of your local phone book to determine how far your local calling area extends, and when the regional calling area begins.

General

1/23/2006

No, you do not have to have internet in your home to receive service from the long distance companies on our website. The long distance companies on our website offer traditional long distance without any special catches or access codes to be dialed.

The VoIP companies listed on our site are the only companies that require that you must have high speed internet service to home to switch to their services.

Pioneer

1/23/2006

There is one other difference between the two Pioneer plans offered in most areas. The difference is not only in the price but also in the billing increments. The plan offering the slightly lower price bills in 60 second increments while the slightly higher priced plan bills in a 6 second increment.

60 second increments bill up to the nearest minute after the call is completed. Example; you make a 2 minute and 6 second call, but you will be charged for 3 minutes.

6 second billing increments will save you an average of 12 to 14% compared to 60 second rounding. The same 2 minute and 6 second call will be billed as 2 minutes and 6 seconds. A plan that bills in 6 second increments will charge an 18 or 30 second minimum for the first minute.

Most customers find that each of the Pioneer plan works well because they end up saving so much money with either one!

General

1/19/2006

Unfortunately at this time the resale long distance companies that we compare do not offer service in Alaska or Hawaii.

ECG

1/13/2006

Yes, you can sign up with ECG online and still use your caller ID and other features that you have with SBC. ECG will just be your long distance provider and that will not change any features you currently have with your local service provider.