Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Long Distance - Direct Dial Service

1+ direct dial service. This is your basic long distance service. To make a call, you dial 1 plus the area code and number of the person you are calling to. Whether you go with a big brand name company, or a small discount company - call quality is the same. You won't hear any difference between the two. For US calls, they are all using the same lines. Factors you should consider:
Cost - more often than not, you'll get your best deal with a small company that you have probably never heard of. This is because the big companies pay millions in advertising each year. Smaller companies will come along and undercut them, then market their services cheaply through agencies and word of mouth.

Billing – It is important that you get all the information. Ask about their per call surcharges, monthly fees, minimum usage per month and a like.

Billing Options - you will usually get your best deal if you opt for credit card billing. That's because it's cost efficient for the smaller companies. Instead of a paper bill, you will have a secure online account manager. It's convenient!
International Calls - Different companies use different international carriers and routes. If you make international calls, it's important to use a company that keeps international call quality high. Make sure to ask the long distance agent the quality of their international lines
Customer Service – Make sure that there is a phone number you can contact when you need assistance. Some long distance companies only use email.

Here are our recommendations:

Everdial Long Distance 4.9¢ state-to-state rate, 24hours 7 days a week. 30 second initial, 6 second increments. Excellent international rates, low in-state rates. NO MONTHLY MINIMUMS or FEES. A 99¢ Carrier Recovery Fee takes the place of the 3% Federal tax.

PNG Long Distance 3.9¢ rate applies all day, every day for state-to-state calls in the contiguous 48 states. Now has a 99¢ monthly fee. Awesome international rates: (rates to call landline phones shown -- check website for rates to call mobile phones) France 4.4¢, Germany 4.4¢, India from 15.3 - 20.2¢, Japan 5.5¢, Mexico from 4.5 - 13.1¢, Poland 5.3¢, Russia 3.6 - 8.1¢ , South Korea 4.9¢, Taiwan from 4.5¢, Thailand 9.5¢, U.K. 4.4¢.

PNG also offers stand-alone toll free service, local phone service, high speed internet and cellular plans with very low international rates and a referral plan. Service not available in Hawaii and Alaska. All calls to Hawaii and Alaska are 15.9¢ per minute. Visit PNG Long Distance website for in-state rates, other info. and to order service.

Dialuno "Primero" 1 plus plan 3.8¢ rate applies 24 hours/7 days a week for all state-to-state calls. billed in 6 second increments Great international rates, especially to Mexico and South American countries. Toll free numbers available at no extra charge and will bill incoming at same rates. Primus Telecommunications, Inc does the billing and customer service, calls are carried on the MCI network and Alliance AT&T network. A .95 Carrier Recovery Fee is added in any month the service is used. There is a minimal billing requirement of $5/month which means:If monthly usage totals less than $5, your bill will be adjusted to meet the $5 minimum.

ECG Long Distance 2.5¢ state-to-state rate if billed by E-bill only and credit card. Also billed in 6 second increments. ECG also has toll free numbers available at no extra charge and incoming billing at same rates. $0.59 per month regulatory recovery fee applies to each taxable account, requires EasyPay and EasyBill. EasyBill is ECG's paperless billing option that lets customers receive their monthly ECG bill online. EasyPay is ECG's paperless payment option that lets customers pay their monthly ECG bill electronically via credit/debit card or bank draft.
3.5¢ state-to-state rate if you wish a paper bill and/or pay by check or other method $0.59 per month regulatory recovery fee applies to each taxable account, plus paper bill processing fee of $2.50

ECG is available in approximately 80% of the country. When you request service, it will tell you if they don't serve your area.

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