Cheap Long Distance

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Getting cheap long distance rates is one way to cut down on your monthly bills.

Negotiate Cheap Long Distance

With the number of telemarketing calls telling you about a competitor’s low rates and the plethora of commercials advertising flat fees for long distance calls, you may be wondering if now is the time to switch your carrier. But switching phone services may require canceling your old account and getting a new number. It seems like such a chore, even if you do save money.

However, an easier way to go about it is to simply negotiate your way to lower fees with your current carrier. Telephone companies realize that the competition is fierce for keeping your service. The next time you get a phone call or see a television ad for cheap long distance rates, write down the amount and the provider. Then, call your current telephone service and ask if they can meet that offer.

When you call, tell them that you are dropping their service unless they can give you a lower rate. Often, not only will they meet the cheaper offer you quite them, but they will often give you a better price or offer you a promotion, such as one month’s service fees free, or a lower minute rate for 90 days.

Bundle Services for Lower Rates

Another great way to get cheap long distance is to look into bundling different services all through one company. If you use a combination of three or more of the following, you may qualify to get a bundle price on your services:

  • Cable television
  • Local telephone service
  • Long distance telephone service
  • Internet
  • Cellular phone service

Bundles are usually offered through telephone or cable services. While you do have to cancel all your old accounts and switch over to the new service provider, it may be worth it. To find out if the “deal” really is a good one, add up your current monthly bills for the services in the bundle. To figure your long distance bill, average out your costs for three months. As long as the bundle comes in well under the total, it is definitely worth the trouble of switching.

Internet Long Distance

If you call long distance frequently, you may want to look into Internet-provided phone services. Most providers require a high-speed internet connection in order to work (DSL or cable broadband modem). Adding the Internet-provided service is a good way to save money and get a lot of perks.

Vonage is one Internet-provided service that allows you to call long distance in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Local and long distance calls to those areas, along with more than 20 other features, are all packaged together for a low monthly rate, currently at $24.99. Some of the additional features include:

  • Keeping your old phone number
  • Voicemail
  • Caller ID
  • Caller ID lists
  • 3-way calling
  • Call return

You can purchase larger plans if you need to make international phone calls, and rates are offered a low price.

Another Internet long distance option is Skype. This allows you to call people through your computer. You can purchase domestic unlimited calling for only $14.95 a month through January 31, 2007, and for $29.95 a month after that. If you need to make international calls, you can check their rates before making a call. Video features are even available, should you wish to be able to see one another while you talk. However, Skype is not a total replacement for a home telephone, as you cannot make emergency calls from it.

Calling Cards

Using a calling card may be a great option for those who want to make occasional cheap long distance calls. Telephone companies often charge a monthly fee for the long distance service, even if you place no calls that month.

Calling cards can be found in gas stations, drugstores, and discount chains. International phone cards are also available. Be sure to check the fine print on the calling card. To be sure you are getting a good deal, find out the following:

  • Is there a connection fee? If so, what is it?
  • What are the rates for the country or state I am calling?
  • How many minutes does the rate translate to for my purposes?
  • What is the expiration date?
  • Is there a monthly fee after I activate the card?
  • Does using the card from a pay phone cost an extra fee?

Shop around several places and compare cards to get the best deal. If you are purchasing international phone cards, buy a few different brands in a small amount, like five dollars. Sometimes a delay results when calling other countries, and using some cards makes the delay better or worse.


 


Comments

This is a really good article. Just a couple things we end up telling our customers when they ask about the free long distance plans from bundling and internet calling services. First, cable providers don't have the service level agreements that telephone companies provide on the phone line - in many cases, an internet call may have really "bad reception" or echo, and you have no recourse to get the cable company to improve the call quality - because you accepted the lower service level to get a better price. Second, it makes a lot of sense to keep a land line in any house - it doesn't go out when the power does, or stop working when a server goes down at your cable provider. If you have a land line, it makes sense to sign up for a no-monthly fee long distance plan. Even if you don't ever use the long distance plan on the land line, at least you won't be paying the phone company the extra $5-$10 per month they normally charge for just having long distance service. Of course then you also have an option to use an inexpensive, but high quality, voice line to call your folks or family, still without breaking the bank.

-- Contributed by: John Johansen

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