Long Distance Buying Guide

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Chris Andrews
Andrews.com

Traditional 1+ Long Distance

Traditional 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.

Here's an interesting thing. The 'secret' of the long distance industry, if you will. 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.

Ok, so if call quality is the same, what factors should you 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 advertsing each year. Smaller companies will come along and undercut them, then market their services cheaply through agencies and word of mouth.
Billing - I wouldn't want to bore you with the details, but billing is a very complex thing in the long distance industry. I've seen otherwise good services go bust because they couldn't get the billing under control. You need someone that will get it right!
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 convient, I have my own service set up that way.
International Calls - ahhh, there is a difference in call quality here. 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.
Customer Service - you should rarely need customer service. But when you do, it needs to be friendly and competent.

Our Long Distance Calculator will help you define your needs and provides you with a list of companies that meet the above requirements. Each of the companies listed have demonstrated proper billing procedures, great customer service, dependable international connections and low prices.

Long Distance Calculator

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Telecom Glossary

As you consider different services, the following glossary will help de-code any 'telecom speak' you may run into:

Interstate: state to state calls, usually does not include calls to Alaska and Hawaii

Intrastate: in-state long distance calls. The per-minute cost of these calls is usually different, and often more, than the state to state rate.

IntraLATA: calls within your 'local long distance' area. These are often calls to nearby towns or areas that are not in your local calling area, but are still serviced by your local company. Because they are serviced by your local company, you can choose either your long distance carrier or your local company to carry these calls. Check with your local company and see what they charge for IntralLATA calls. If you don't make many of these calls, go ahead and have your long distance company cover it, then you'll know it's taken care of and you won't be overcharged.

LEC: Local Exchange Carrier, your local company.

FCC: Federal Communications Commission.

State & Local Taxes: Each state and local area sets up their own taxing guidelines that all long distance carriers must follow.

USF Charges: Long distance companies are charged a certain amount of funds that go toward developing communications systems in low income schools and communities. This is passed on to the end consumer, usually listed as a USF charge or some similar wording.