LONG DISTANCE SERVICE

1. Will it cost me anything to switch my long distance?          
2. How long will it take for my long distance to be switched?
3. How can I find out who my long distance carrier is?
4. How will I be billed?
5. Will I be able to pay my bill through the internet? 
6. What is the quality of the call connections?
7. Do all of these long distance carriers have toll free customer service?
8. What is the USF fee?
9. What is the difference between a Monthly Fee and a Minimum Usage Fee?
10. Will switching my long distance affect my local phone service?
11. Can you help me to understand what some of these telecommunications words mean?
12. How can these companies offer rates so cheap?
13. Are all of your calling plans available in my area?

Will it cost me anything to switch my long distance?

  • Anytime you switch long distance it is your local phone service provider that handles the chores of switching you. You will be charged by your local provider when they switch your long distance. The amount is usually $5.00 per line and in most cases (not all) your new long distance carrier will credit your account for the switching fee upon your request. It's possible only part of the switching fee could be credited.
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How long will it take for my long distance to be switched?

  • Usually you are looking at 3 - 7 days, although we have seen people switched in as little as 2 days. It will also depend on if you sign up on a weekend or during a holiday.
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How can I find out who my long distance carrier is?

  • You can call 1-700-555-4141 to hear a recording of who your long distance carrier is. Realize that it's possible you will hear a different carrier name on the recording than the carrier you receive your bill from. If a carrier is using another carrier's fiber optic line to carry their traffic, you will hear the name of the line carrier. Make sure and call from the same phone line you want to check. This is a free call.
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How will I be billed?

  • You will need to read the details of the plan you are considering. Most companies will bill you separately and some will use internet billing.
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Will I be able to pay my bill through the internet?

  • Many companies will allow you to pay your bill by credit card or check debit and view your bill online, so read the details of the calling plan you are considering.
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What is the quality of the call connections?

  • The calls are as clear as AT&T, Sprint, etc. All your calls are placed over a 100% digital fiber optic network.
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Do all of these long distance carriers have toll free customer service?

What is the USF fee?

  • USF stands for Universal Service Fund and is a Federally mandated fee charged to every caller when they place state-to-state or international calls. This fee is set by the FCC every 3 months. You can read more about the USF in our Terminology section.
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What is the difference between a Monthly Fee and a Minimum Usage Fee?

  • If you have a monthly fee you will be charged this fee no matter how much you spend per month on long distance and this fee is in addition to your long distance usage. A minimum usage fee is different because you might be asked to pay a small fee, for example, if you do not use a minimum usage of $15.00 in long distance per month, but if you spend over $15.00 there would be no fee.
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Will switching my long distance affect my local phone service?

  • Switching long distance will not affect your local phone service or any calling features you have through your local phone provider.
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Can you help me to understand what some of these telecommunications words mean?

How can these companies offer rates so cheap?

  • There are a few different reasons. First, they do not spend millions of dollars a year paying telemarketers to bother you at home, nor do they spend millions in advertising for TV, radio, etc. Second, some companies will only use independent reps or brokers to offer their long distance, so they do not have to pay an internal sales staff. (Including having to pay taxes, benefits, etc. to an internal sales staff) Third, some companies are re-sellers of major carriers and they buy bulk minutes from the carrier at wholesale prices and pass the savings on to consumers.
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Are all of your calling plans available in my area?

  • Many plans have a wide availability throughout the U.S. while other plans have a more limited availability. When you find a plan you want, one of the first things you will be asked to do is enter your phone number on the sign up form to check for service availability in your area.
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