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Click for an answer on the links with the arrows below.
1.
What company has the cheapest rates?
2.
What is the quality of your long distance phone services?
3.
How do you offer such low rates?
4.
Do you offer the cheapest rates?
5.
What is a "1+ direct dial" service?
6.
What is a "dial around" service?
7.
What is the difference between dial arounds and calling cards?
8.
What is an "inbound toll free" service?
9.
How can I transfer my existing toll free number?
10.
What is a "stand alone" toll free service?
11.
What is "intralata" service?
12.
Do You offer "local" service?
13.
What is the rate for "local long distance" service?
14.
Do you offer "Project Account Codes"?
15.
What are "switched" and "dedicated" lines?
16.
What is a "pic freeze"?
17.
Can I ask my local phone company to switch my long distance carrier?
18.
What is a "self-pic"?
19.
What is "slamming"?
20.
What is the "USF" fee?
21.
What is the "PIC-C" fee?
22.
How do I apply for your services?
23.
How can I contact you?
24.
Where can I file a complaint?
Question:
1.
What company has the cheapest rates?
Answer:
There
is not one company best for everyone. The best rate for you depends on
your location and your calling pattern. Besides there are different
fees and monthly charges that may or may not apply, which will greatly
influence the overall cost of your long distance calls. Thus we have
created out Instant Rate Calculator which is FREE for you to use.
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Question:
2.
What is the quality of your long distance phone services?
Answer:
We
choose our long distance service providers very carefully. The
Telecommunications Reform Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1996,
created good conditions for competition on the telecom market. The act
seemed to work well, long distance rates began to drop. The down side
of the reform was however the appearance of companies that offered
service with poor quality or companies that were badly managed and
could not keep to their promises in the long run. Before suggesting
you a long distance company we check who their network provider
(underlying carrier) is. This guarantees highest quality of service.
Then we look into the level of customer care, number and diversity of
plans, value added services, offered by the company. Finally the growing number
of our happy customers proves that our vendors manage to keep the
delicate balance between good quality and competitive rates.
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Question:
3.
How do you offer such low rates?
Answer:
Most
of our vendors are resellers. They buy a big chunk of traffic from a
network provider with a huge discount. Then they pass a portion of the
discount to you. With less overhead cost to support a huge stuff
and to maintain expensive advertising campaigns, these companies tend to be very
versatile and quick to adapt to the market demands.
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Question:
4.
Do you offer the cheapest rates?
Answer:
In
many cases - yes! Though we watch for quality of service first. We
simply can not afford a trade with quality.
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Question:
5.
What is a "1+ direct dial" service?
Answer:
When
you dial "1 - area code - exchange code - xxxx" your local phone
company automatically routes this call through the long distance
carrier that is indicated with them as your Primary InterExchange
Carrier (PIC). This is called a "1+ direct dial" long
distance call.
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Question:
6.
What is a "dial around" service?
Answer:
You
can "dial around" your Primary InterExchange Carrier (PIC),
dialing an access code or a toll free number to access the network of
an alternative long distance carrier. After you have accessed the
alternative carrier network you can dial the final destination number
of your call. There is a certain inconvenience, using "dial
arounds", because of the prefix or access code you have to dial.
The obvious advantage is that you can get better rates with the
"dial around" company without the necessity to switch your
Primary InterExchange Carrier. We recommend using "dial arounds"
in cases when you are satisfied with the state-to-state rates of your
current long distance provider, but would like to achieve lower rates for
not so frequent instate long distance and/or international calls.
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Question:
7.
What is the difference between dial arounds and calling cards?
Answer:
Both
dial arounds and calling cards allow you to "dial around" the
Primary InterExchange Carrier on the line you are placing a call from.
The main difference is that while dial arounds are more convenient to
use (you do not need to enter a lengthy PIN code), calling cards give
you extended mobility (you can use calling cards from any phone). You
have to be careful when using a calling card from pay-phones however.
You will be charged an additional 30 to 50 cents per call surcharge in
addition to the card rates and fees charged. The pay-phone per call
surcharge goes to the owner of the pay-phone.
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Question:
8.
What is an "inbound toll free" service?
Answer:
You
can be the owner of a toll free number (800+ number) that allows members of
your family or your customers to call you for your account. A toll free
number can be pointed to your home, office or cellular phone number
(called "ring-to-number").
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Question:
9.
How can I transfer my existing toll free number?
Answer:
If
you intend to change your 1+ direct dial long distance company you may
wish to keep your existing toll free numbers and use them with the new
long distance service. In this case you will have to print out and fax
a RESPORG form to the new long distance company you have chosen, in
addition to the ordinary application (either online or offline) for
long distance services. The RESPORG forms are usually available to
download and print out on the corresponding website of the new long
distance company you have chosen. The RESPORG (RESPonsible ORGanization)
form authorizes your new long distance company to request the release
of your toll free number from your old company and take charge of it.
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Question:
10.
What is a "stand alone" toll free service?
Answer:
There
are long distance companies that will not require to switch your long
distance service over to them in order to supply you with a toll free
number. This service is called "stand alone" toll free service.
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Question:
11.
What are "intralata" and "interlata" services?
Answer:
The
territory of the US is divided into LATAs (Local Access Transport
Areas). Usually LATAs do not fully coincide with the states. Bigger
states can have several LATAs on their territory, while smaller states
can have a LATA that goes beyond the boundaries of the state. Within
the same LATA you have local phone service (carried by your Local
Exchange Company) and local long distance service (carried either by
your LEC or by your long distance company). The long distance service
within a LATA is called local long distance service or IntraLATA long
distance service (also known as local toll or regional toll). The service between two LATAs is always carried by
your long distance company. This service is called InterLATA service.
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Question:
12.
Do You offer "local" service?
Answer:
We
do offer local phone service, which is provided exclusively by top
quality local phone service companies. They offer local service at
discount prices and with versatile value added features.
Our
long distance companies offer local long distance service (long
distance within your LATA) in addition to the instate, state-to-state
and international long distance service. When you apply you have an
option to choose whether you'd like your local long distance service
to be switched over to the new long distance company or not.
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Question:
13.
What is the rate for "local long distance" service?
Answer:
The
rate for local long distance service is the same as the InState rate of
the corresponding long distance company. Before you take a decision to
switch your local long distance to your new long distance company
(which is an optional service), check if you do not have a special
agreement with your local phone company (LEC) for local long distance
services. Then compare the rates you have for local long distance from
your LEC to the InState rates offered by the new long distance company.
You will instantly know whether you have a better deal for local long
distance with the new long distance company or with your LEC.
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Question:
14.
Do you offer "Project Account Codes"?
Answer:
Yes,
most of our long distance companies offer PACs (Project Account
Codes). PACs are useful to keep track of how much you spend on
long distance per client or per employee. You can choose between
verified PACs (with a PIN code, assigned to each code) and
non-verified PACs (without a PIN code).
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Question:
15.
What are "switched" and "dedicated" lines?
Answer:
When
you place a long distance call, using a "switched" line, the
call first goes to your LEC, then it is routed through the long
distance company that is indicated with your LEC as your Primary
InterExchange Carrier and finally the call reaches the LEC of the
destination phone number you are dialing. Most people use
"switched" lines. Big customers can however have a
"dedicated" line that goes directly to the long distance
company. The long distance company in this case does not have to pay
switching fees to the LEC and the customer can enjoy better rates than
with normal "switched" lines. The rates for
"dedicated" lines are negotiable with the long distance
company. We can check availability and prepare a rate quote for a
"dedicated" line with our vendors for your specific case.
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Question:
16.
What is a "pic freeze"?
Answer:
The
"PIC Freeze" is an option with your LEC. The "PIC
Freeze" ("Primary InterExchange Carrier Freeze")
prevents you from someone else switching your long distance carrier
without your explicit authorization with the LEC. When you change your
long distance company you have to remove the "PIC Freeze"
with your LEC. If you have a "PIC Freeze" on your lines, your
application with the long distance company will be rejected when it
reaches your LEC. After your phone line(s) has (have) been switched over to
the new long distance service, it is recommended that you reinitiate
the "PIC Freeze" with the LEC. No one else, except you
(the owner of the phone line), can lift or place a "PIC Freeze"
with your LEC.
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Question:
17.
Can I ask my local phone company to switch my long distance carrier?
Answer:
The
normal provisioning procedure is to apply with the new long distance
company you have chosen. The long distance company will first open an
account for you. Then your application will be automatically
sent to your LEC and, if there is not a "PIC Freeze" on your
lines, the LEC will automatically switch your lines to your new long
distance company. If you ask directly your LEC to switch you to a new
long distance company you will end up most probably with higher rates
or even with an unknown long distance company.
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Question:
18.
What is a "self-pic"?
Answer:
In
some rare cases the LEC may not support automatic electronic requests
from long distance companies. Then you may have to "self-pic".
Anyway you should first apply with the long distance company. When your
account with them is opened you should ask the long distance company
for a permission for "self-pic". Then and only then you can
go to your LEC and request a "self-pic", supplying them with
the specific "PIC code" you will receive from the long
distance company. This will guarantee a correct switch over to the
company of your choice.
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Question:
19.
What is "slamming"?
Answer:
"Slamming"
is a jargon word used in telecommunications for unauthorized switching
of long distance companies (i.e. if your former carrier switched you
back without your consent). To prevent "slamming" it is
recommended to place a "PIC Freeze" on your lines with the
LEC.
This practice may involve misleading
marketing or outright fraud. Prohibited by Federal law and the FCC. The
FCC requires the long distance company to obtain your authorization
before changing your long distance provider.
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Question:
20.
What is the "USF" tax?
Answer:
The
USF (Universal Service Fund) tax is a federal tax imposed on
interstate and international usage. The USF was set up to provide
telecommunications access to schools and colleges in rural or low
income areas. The amount imposed is different depending on your state
and/or local area (because every state has a different level of need).
For more information, please, visit www.universalservice.org
or call 1-973-560-4400.
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Question:
21.
What is the "PIC-C" fee?
Answer:
The
Presubscribed InterExchange Carrier Charge, or "PIC-C"
(pronounced PIC C) is a specific charge depending on the type of the account
(residential or commercial) and the number of lines subscribed.
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Question:
22.
How do I apply for your services?
Answer:
You
can easily apply online. Just follow the links on our website (from the
Instant Rate Calculator Result Page for example) to the website of the
long distance company of your choice. If you prefer you can print out
an offline application form and fax it. The offline forms can be found
on the vendors websites. If you prefer, we will send you instructions
by e-mail where and how to apply.
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Question:
23.
How can I contact you?
Answer:
We
recommend you to use our interactive center to contact us. You can
always request a FREE E-Consultation with the appropriate online
request form. You can send us an e-mail or contact us by phone/fax.
Use the channel that is most convenient to you!
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Question:
24.
Where can I file a complaint?
Answer:
The
FTC (Federal Trade Commission) works for the consumer to prevent
fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace
and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.
To file a complaint or to get free information
on consumer issues, call
toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357),
or use the Online
Complaint Form.The FTC enters internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other
fraud-related complaints into Consumer
Sentinel,
a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal
law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
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