Telephone Providers Your Phone & Internet Company Specialist. Internet Access Provider & Phone Service Comparisons.

Internet Phone	Local Phone	DSL & Cable	Cell Phone	Satellite TV	Business Internet
		We Find the Best Deals for You!

Save Money on Your Long Distance Phone Bill. Choosing a long distance carrier and calling plan can be a daunting task for even the most market-wise consumer. Everyday, we are exposed to direct mail, telemarketing, and television advertising campaigns from cheap long distance carriers, with each company claiming to offer the best available rates and savings. With the recent passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, consumers are likely to face additional difficulties sorting through the numerous new landline calling plans and promotions which will soon be made available. New companies will enter the long distance market, local phone service will become competitive, and related services such as cellular technologies and the Internet will become increasingly important to us all. How can consumers make informed decisions with so many different factors to consider? We at the Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC) suggest that you use Tele-Tips, this thorough yet simple reference tool for the thrifty consumer. No matter what changes occur in the market, the most important questions have always remained: "Which long distance company is the cheapest?" and "How do I know which company or plan is best for me?" With an increasing number of long distance carriers offering new features and services each day, just choosing a long distance provider isn't always enough. To be certain you are getting the best rates, you must also be sure you are enrolled in the right calling plan. These plans are constantly changing, however, and a plan offered one year may be gone the next. A plan that is a carrier's cheapest one year, can suddenly become its most expensive. You can always save money on your long distance phone bill, and TRAC's Tele-Tips Residential Long Distance Comparison Chart is the best and easiest way to help you find those savings. Saving money on your long distance bill can be done by periodically conducting long distance check-ups. How frequently you should do this depends on how much money you typically spend on long distance. The higher your phone bill, the more often you should conduct a check-up -- though it's generally advisable to do at least once per year. Recommended times to review your long distance bills are when you change your residence or calling patterns. Conducting a check-up is easy. The first step is to call your carrier's toll-free customer service number and ask if you're on their least expensive calling plan. Make sure that when they look at your records, they examine a typical calling month. If you decide you are not satisfied with your current situation, this is a great time to shop around.

---

1. Determine Your Calling Patterns. Take a look at your long distance bills for the past three months. Determine when you make the greatest number of calls, and the average length of your conversations. Determine whether there is a pattern to your calls, such as frequently dialing the same number or area code, or making the bulk of your calls during a certain time of day. Recognizing such patterns will also help you determine which category you fit into on TRAC's comparison chart.

2. Find Your Category on the Chart. TRAC has created three typical calling baskets that are intended to reflect calling patterns based on the time of day you most often make calls. For example, if you make your calls throughout the day, evening, night, and weekend, you would be considered an "Average Daily User." Find the calling pattern that best resembles the time and money you spend on the phone in a typical month. You can calculate these numbers respectively by totalling either the number of minutes you called or the amount of money you spent over three months, and dividing that number by three (the number will be your monthly average). Use this information to determine which column most closely reflects your calling patterns.

3. Compare Plans. Now that you have found your category and column, look for the least expensive calling plans. Then, read each plan's description to ensure that you meet the requirements to receive discounted rates, and also to ensure that the plan includes all the features and services you desire. If you have high speed internet check into VoIP phone plans, they are much more popular and offer better rates on local and long distance calling. Besides, it will serve better as a landline and the call quality is better.

4. Research the Plans. Once you are interested in some plans, follow-up with additional research. Call the phone carriers to confirm that these would, indeed, be the best plans for you, that the rates are still the same, and the features and services you want are still offered with those calling plans. Remember, plans change frequently and competition results in even more frequent rate and service changes.

Original Article Source Trac.org. This is a dated archived article, follow the links for the latest info and up to date pricing info from the original telephone providers.

 

>>> Calculate a Better Long Distance Rate Here! <<<

 

Popular Phone plans with monthly recurring charges

Plan	Monthly Charges
AT&T 5 Cent eWeekends Plan 1	$5.00
AT&T 5 Cent Nights Plan 1	$5.00
AT&T One Rate 7 Cents	$3.95
AT&T One Rate Weekends	$4.95
Excel Dime Deal	$3.75
Excel Simply More	$4.50
Excel Three Penny	$5.95
MCI WorldCom Anytime Advantage	$3.95
MCI WorldCom One Net Savings 1	$5.00
MCI WorldCom Select 200 Eve & Wknd 2	$10.95
MCI WorldCom Select 200 Weekday 2	$10.95
Qwest 250 Plan 3	$9.95
Qwest 5 Cent Calling Plan	$3.95
Qwest 6 Cent Calling Plan 1	$10.00
Sprint 1000 Anytime 4	$40.00
Sprint 1000 Nights 5	$20.00
Sprint 7 Cents Anytime	$5.95
Sprint Nickel Anytime	$8.95
Sprint Nickel Nights	$5.95
Sprint Sense Anytime	$10.95

This is a dated archived article, follow the links for the latest info and up to date pricing info from the original telephone providers

1 This charge is a monthly minimum. The long distance carrier will waive this charge if your bill is over this minimum usage requirement.

2 Includes 200 minutes of in-state and state-to-state usage for specified time of day periods.

3 Includes 250 minutes of state-to-state usage with no time of day restrictions.

4 Includes 1000 minutes of state-to-state usage with no time of day restrictions.

5 Includes 1000 minutes of state-to-state usage for specified time of day periods.

Source) Trac.org

>>> Lowest Cost Long Distance Prices Click Here! <<<

---

All major credit cards accepted

All personal information you submit is encrypted and secure

   

Experience the Steelecommerce Difference ..

 Your Phone and Internet Specialist

Finding the best deals on phone service & Internet for you!

| Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Sitemap |