EmailSee Also
Long Distance Phone Service links
10-10 long distance/Dial-around
Before the emergence of so many low-cost direct-dial plans, so-called 10-10 long-distance providers were the cheapest way to make a long-distance phone call. These required you to call an access number before placing your call. These plans -- referred to as "dial-around" -- now often use access numbers that don't contain the 10-10 prefix, but the idea is the same. The dial-around provider gives you a special number to use when making long-distance calls. This is done without any need to switch your long-distance phone service. You can use the access number as a convenient way to potentially save over a major carrier like AT&T or Verizon. However, dial-around service will still cost more than actually switching to a cheaper long-distance company. According to MyRatePlan.com, "Given current pricing for long distance, the use of dial-around services is almost always a waste of money."
Unlimited long distance -- Flat-rate long distance
If you make more than 15 hours or so of long-distance calls per month, a flat-rate plan may be worth investigating. AT&T's Unlimited Plus plan includes unlimited local calls, plus in-state and state-to-state long distance for $33. AT&T charges a monthly connection fee in 29 states to recoup charges from some local phone companies. The fee varies, but is generally between 70 cents and $2.50. You can find out if your state is included by consulting the AT&T website. AT&T's Unlimited Plus plan does not include local service, and you need to have AT&T local service to qualify for the plan. AT&T's all-inclusive local and long distance plans start at $56.
MCI's Neighborhood Plan may appeal to users who spend over $60 on local and long-distance service. Prices for unlimited calling start at $59.99. The Neighborhood supplies customers with caller ID, call waiting and voicemail. MCI currently offers one free month per year for as many years as you stay with the plan. Verizon has now absorbed MCI. It's unclear how long Verizon will continue to offer MCI services, and MCI customers are being urged to switch to Verizon plans. Verizon has no all-inclusive, flat-rate long-distance plan, however.
VoIP plans include both local and long-distance calls, along with lots of extras such as voicemail and call waiting. Starting at about $25 per month, most VoIP services are cheaper than traditional bundled local/long-distance plans. See our report on VoIP for more information.
Bundled long distance
Verizon and AT&T both offer incentives for new and existing customers who already subscribe to each company's other services. For example, if you use Verizon Wireless, you can add unlimited local and long-distance home-phone service -- normally $42 per month -- for $30 per month. AT&T has some similar discounts.
Most of the sources on the Our Sources page are ideal for looking up information on specific long-distance plans.
TheDigest.com also is a good resource for general industry news.
For information on the USF fee, see the FCC website.
Consult a provider's website to check on availability and rates for your area: