Long Distance Phone Service BlogInteresting articles and the latest news from the long distance phone service industry.   Toll free only service from UnitelHey PhoneDog fans! As some of you may or may not know, the PhoneDog website got its start by comparing companies that offer low long distance rates for your home or business telephone. Even though cell phones have taken over the world, we still offer this great comparison. One big carrier who offers great long distance rates via our comparison is Unitel. Unitel was founded in March, 1998, in Naperville, Illinois and... 3U Telecom is now telnaBreaking News - 3U Telecom becomes telna. Read the complete press update below. We are delighted to announce that after a recent management buyout, 3U Telecom is now telna, a service of Telecom North America. What does this change? Well, our name, logo and website are being updated, but our management team, high quality service, low rates and passion for customer service remain unchanged. We are not changing anything relating to the... Conference Calling - Gotham Conference offers low cost alternativeAn 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... More AT&T rate increases take effectAnother 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... Cell phones and VoIP could make landlines obsoleteThe 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,... AT&T raising unlimited plan ratesSubscribers 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 wants to cease BellSouth long distance servicesUsers 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,... Too many consumers overpaying for phone serviceFrequent 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... BellSouth offers new toll-free serviceOn 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... FCC should safeguard consumers in mergerThe 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... MCI long distance rates increase againMany 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,... AT&T raising monthly minimums on 13 plansAT&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... How long before my new long distance services are activated?After signing up for a long distance service provider reviewed at ##SITENAMESHORT 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... New minimum usage rates on AT&T plansCustomers 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... MCI To Raise Fees on 19 Long Distance PlansThe 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...Can I receive long distance for my seasonal home?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.Are consumers required to have long distance on their home telephone line?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 ##SITENAMESHORT to review the discount service providers available in your area.How can I view my detailed bill from Pioneer?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.How will I be billed by Pioneer when sending a long distance fax?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.Can I use my Pioneer calling card in a foreign country?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.govThe 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...What other taxes could there be on my long distance bill?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.What is "switch regional calling area"?"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...Are the long distance companies only available if you have the internet in your home?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.What is difference between the two Pioneer plans offered in my area besides the minute rate?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... |
 |
Long Distance - Did you know?Over 25 Million people use AT&T’s basic plan. They could save hundreds of dollars each year, if they switched. Are you still using AT&T, Sprint, or MCI?
Long Distance Q&ATop Long Distance plans |
