Long distance today is getting cheaper and cheaper. You should no longer be paying those expensive monthly fees or outrageous per minute billing rates. The secret to slashing your long distance bill is to use a discount long distance rate, pretty simple right?

Here are some tips to be sure you choose the right provider:

Figure out what fits your needs. Look at the details of each long distance calling plan you are considering. What are the in-state (intrastate) rates and what are the state-to-state (inter-state) rates for each plan. Often you will find in-state rates are more expensive then state-to-state so keep that in mind if you make a lot of in-state calls. It is possible to use a different provider for each type of call if you use a dial-around or calling card.

Be aware of any monthly recurring fees. Some carriers charge a monthly access fee in order to make long distance calls at a discount rate. This is ok if you make a lot of calls however if you are not careful, you could actually lose money if you don’t make any calls at all. For example if you talk an average 20 minutes per month at 2.9 cents per minute and there is a $4.95 monthly fee then in reality this means you have paid an outrageous 27.65 cents per minute. This is highly overlooked so be aware when you are evaluating providers.

Check to see if there are connection fees. Some calling plans have a connection fee in order to connect your long distance call. This is especially true when making an international calls or when using a calling card. Be sure you read the fine print on this one.

Check if there a minimum per minute charge. Be sure there isn’t a minimum charge when connecting your call. For instance, some companies will connect your call and it may only last 3 minutes however they charge a minimum of 5 or 10 minutes. This is especially true when making international calls or using a calling card.

International Calls. This can be tricky if you call more than one country. You may have the cheapest rate calling one country and pay a higher rate to call another. Take the time and be sure you are getting the best rate you can possibly get; this can really save you a ton of money. Calling cards are usually much cheaper than making calls from a standard telephone as long as you use all of the above criteria when selecting a provider.

Check USF Fee. The universal service fund fee is a fee paid to the government and cannot be avoided. The average is about 9% today however most phone companies charge much more than this. It cannot be applied to in-state calls however if you make a lot of state-to-state calls you will be subject to this tax.

If you follow this guide you should rest assured that you have chosen the best possible provider. Be sure to check back with your provider frequently and be sure your rates are still the best. As technology continues to change it will drive competition and make prices cheaper. I would check at least once every six months to ensure you are still getting the best rate you possibly can.

With the proliferation of cell phones many people question whether the traditional home phone is really necessary any more.  Many households maintain a home phone even though they have a cell phone family plan where all members of the household have a cell phone and individual phone number.  For many, keeping a traditional home phone is a sensible option since it is cheaper than paying for cell phone air time for receiving calls, calling toll free numbers or making local calls.  It may also be necessary for emergencies (911 calls) or for alarm systems or other monitoring devices.  However, traditional long distance phone service is likely not necessary or even an economical option.  

In most cases using prepaid long distance is a far cheaper option than using traditional long distance from the phone company.  Prepaid long distance like that offered by Tel3Advantage is very convenient and costs nothing if it is not used.  So consumers only pay for calls they actually make at dirt cheap rates with no taxes or added fees.  Tel3 only charges 1.9 cents per minute for long distance calls made to North American (USA and Canada) destinations.  This means that a consumer can use more than 500 minutes for a mere $10.  Rates are slightly higher for international calls depending on the location called but they are up to 95% cheaper than phone company rates.  It is also easy to open an account and there is nothing to change, it can be used from any phone or with any existing phone service.  An account can be opened in a couple of minutes by visiting the Tel3Advantage website or calling 800 441 0321.

Did you know that you don’t have pay outrageous phone bills anymore? In actuality, you can abandon your phone company altogether while still enjoying all the normal telephone services you want with one low-monthly charge. It’s called VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and Comcast Cable has it. Comcast Cable VoIP is emerging in 2007 because so many customers have acquired a aversion for the phone companies and would like a viable alternative to paying per-minute fees. By utilizing your broadband internet connection you can have LIMITLESS domestic calling – no more long-distance charges! Comcast Cable VoIP is prepared for prime time and you can finally keep big money by eliminating per-minute phone bills.

Comcast VoIP is the Future of Telecom

VoIP is everywhere because it operates by transmitting voice over the Internet. VoIP actually isn’t a new technology. VoIP telephone service made its broadcast unveiling in 1995. But only lately have cable companies been able to take the technology to residential homes. VoIP works as good as your cable connection and allows users to tap into the complete capacity of the Internet. VOIP services are effective because you don’t have to buy any new gear. Comcast technicians transparently plug your existing telephone system into a cable broadband modem. The only thing you have to do is enjoy cheaper monthly bills. Comcast VoIP is both the most reliable and best value for the money among all the existing cable companies offering telephone services.

How Comcast Saves You Even More Money – Three Great Services and One Low Bill

But Comcast doesn’t just offer phone service. You can save even more money by bundling digital cable TV, broadband internet, and VoIP into one monthly charge. Bundled services from Comcast Cable TV are plainly a winning idea for customers. With Comcast bundled services, you can choose digital cable, home telephone service and high speed broadband Internet together. The advantage of having Comcast bundled services is that it is greatly easier to keep track of your utility expenses when the bundled services are charged on one monthly amount. It is cheaper to buy multiple services through Comcast than it is to buy one service from several providers. While it’s true that these bundled services will save money over subscribing to the same services through different companies, not all bundled packages are the same. The bundled services provided by Comcast are among the best for a number of reasons. Comcast’s bundled services are better than other bundles you can get through other companies because many companies have the tendency to outsource some of their services. Comcast offers and maintains they’re own products and give legendary reliability to customers. Don’t make the error of using poor, unreliable third-party providers.

Start Saving Today – Make the Switch to Comcast VoIP Phone Service

VoIP is taking the carrier business by storm. VOIP is a full-fledged network based service offering all the features of a normal phone service. Comcast’s telephone service is a revolutionary technology that has the possibility to completely change how the world uses telephone systems. Comcast telephone is a cheaper alternative to traditional telephone services and its easy to switch. Comcast VoIP is here to stay; are you ready to save money? Order now!