International Long Distance Phone Calling Rates

Look over your phone bills to see what long distance rates you're paying and how long typical calls last. Are you paying a fee each month to get those rates? How many total minutes per month to frequent call destinations? Compare your calling patterns to the terms offered by several phone plans. If you make toll calls inside your state, always check the rate for instate calls. Some plans advertise a low interstate or "state-to-state" rate, but charge more for instate calls.

Long distance companies purposely hide and confuse their charges so that they can bait you with "low" rates. In reality, most long distance companies make their money back with hidden fees and taxes that you normally won't find until it's too late. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the most common fees (which you will see VERY CLEARLY on your long distance price estimates). Listed below are some common terms, legal taxes and charges that might appear on you phone bill.

It is true that some long-distance companies offer what appear to be low rates. But you need to be aware of all the requirements of their offer. If you're considering such an offer, look closely for restrictions on who or when you call. Also, consider the company's reputation: is it a brand you know and trust or a company that you've never even heard of before? Is it a company that's innovative and likely to offer new services as your needs change? What kind of response will you get if you have a service or billing problem?

Is there a difference between long distance companies?
There is no difference in the quality of your long distance connection. All long distance companies, including AT&T, Sprint and WorldCom use the same fiber optic networks to transport their calls. The differences are found in the billing and customer service of each carrier.

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AT&T, MCI, WORLDCOM, COGNIGEN - IS THERE REALLY A DIFFERENCE?
Quite simply, for the vast majority of clients there isn't a difference. These days there's little difference in quality among the major vendors (AT&T, MCI, Sprint). Low price is a good criterion (not the only) for choosing a long distance carrier. Due to the incestuous relationship between carriers, it isn't unusual to have your call travel through several competitors’ lines before landing at its destination. The call leaves your business on copper wire via your local Bell company, is transferred to the fiber optic network of your carrier, frequently is transferred over a leased line from a competing carrier, and finally sent back to copper wire at the local Bell company of the destination. Many non-AT&T calls do travel, at one point, over the AT&T network or over lines used by AT&T, because it is so extensive and they are so large. With the major companies there definitely is financial stability and name recognition, which you pay for in a higher cost per minute cost.

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