| |
Company |
Per
Min. |
Monthly
Fee |
Billing
Increment/
Minimum Call |
Average
Customer Service Wait Time |
Savings
Score |
|
1 |
|
2.50¢
|
$0.00
|
6/18 sec
|
<1 Minute
|
99 |
Our Opinion:
Enhanced Communications Group is the top long distance provider on the list for a number of reasons. Compared to other long distance providers, ECG has one of the lowest state-to-state rates (2.5 cents per minute) and good billing increments; they don't have a monthly fee or a minimum usage charge (they do have a monthly 59-cent Regulatory Recovery Fee and $2.50 per month if you need a paper bill). In addition, ECG has the some of the best customer service among all long distance companies; their response time has always been less than a minute when a customer has called; and they were always very helpful. ECG also has cheap long distance rates for in-state calls. This plan requires billing and bill payment on-line, which ECG calls EasyBill and EasyPay. If you'd prefer a paper bill and payment by check, ECG offers a 3.5 cents per minute plan.
Other Fees:
ECG charges a 59-cent Regulatory Recovery
Fee each month. There is a $2.50 charge each month you receive a paper bill.
ECG is a great provider for the 85% of the country that is serviced
by the Baby Bells; if you live in an area that they do not serve,
we recommend Total
Call International, located lower on this list.
If you plan on making many international calls we recommend
3U
, located lower on this list. 3U
is also an excellent provider for consumers living in Hawaii.
|
|
2 |
|
2.70¢
|
$0.00
|
60/60 sec
|
<1 Minute
|
98.1 |
Our Opinion:
They have some of the lowest state-to-state rates found anywhere: 2.7 cents per minute. The rate is 1.9 cents per minute for all calls to other Pioneer customers! (Pioneer was given an extra point on their rating for this.) Pioneer is known for their excellent customer service. They have good discount rates for both international and in-state calls.
Other Fees:
There is an additional 99-cent charge if your bill is under $15 per month, but that is waived if you select the on-line billing option.
|
|
3 |
|
4.80¢
|
$0.00
|
1/1 sec
|
1 Minute
|
96.9 |
Our Opinion:
Outstanding in-state and international rates--if you call within your state or internationally on a frequent basis, sign up with 3U. They also have excellent rates for consumers living in Hawaii. And these rates are also good from your cellphone with a special code they assign to you. 3U provides all customers with a free travel-card that has access in over 30 countries and allows you to place phone calls from hotels and payphones. Their one-second billing is unique in the industry so 3U was given an extra half-point on their rating. No monthly fees or minimums. And they are still less than a nickel a minute on state-to-state calls.
Other Fees:
3U charges 99 cents each month that you receive a paper bill.
|
|
4 |
|
3.00¢
|
$0.00
|
6/18 sec
|
3 Minutes
|
96.2 |
Our Opinion:
TCI is one of the top providers that serves almost the entire country. No monthly fee or monthly minimum usage requirements. Good interstate and instate rates available for most states. Good billing features: 6 second billing increments and 18 second minimum call time. Fast customer service available 24 hours a day. TCI is a long distance company where the customer service agents speak 6 different languages. ¡Hablan español! Lowest intrastate rates for IL, MI, MT, PA, RI, TN, TX.
Other Fees:
TCI charges 99 cents each month that you request a paper bill.
|
|
5 |
|
2.50¢
|
$0.00
|
6/6 sec
|
10 Minutes
|
96.2 |
Our Opinion:
Covista Communications offers outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low intrastate and some of the lowest interstate rates available at 3.9 cents per minute.
Other Fees:
There is also no monthly fee if your bill is over $20 per month or if you select the on-line billing option. Otherwise, there is a $1.99 charge if your bill is under $20 per month. Covista also charges a $0.99 monthly carrier recovery fee each month.
|
|
6 |
|
2.70¢
|
$2.50
|
60/60 sec
|
<1 Minute
|
95.5 |
Our Opinion:
OPEX is one of the lowest priced carriers for interstate long distance. Signing up is easy. With a point and a click you can be on the service in no time. The in-state and international rates are better than average. Billing is in full minutes which is one of the only negatives about this plan.
Other Fees:
$1.99 minimum usage fee applied when the monthly usage is less than $20.00. $1.99 monthly fee for a paper statement, online billing available at no charge.
|
|
7 |
|
3.90¢
|
$0.00
|
6/18 sec
|
3 Minutes
|
95.2 |
Our Opinion:
Americom's Simplicity plan is available for every state in the continental US and includes a low 3.9 cents per minute rate for state-to-state calls with 6-second billing increments and a minimum call of just 18 seconds. The best part of the plan is of course no monthly fee and no minimum usage requirements.
Other Fees:
Americom charges every customer a telecom infrastructure fee of 99 cents per month.
|
|
8 |
|
2.50¢
|
$0.00
|
6/18 sec
|
3 Minutes
|
95 |
Our Opinion:
Unitel Communications has one of the most popular calling plans in the country. They have one of the lowest interstate rates available at 2.5 cents per minute and their instate rates and international rates are good. Plus, they will credit your switching fees.
Other Fees:
There is a $2 charge if your bill is under $15 for the month.
|
|
9 |
|
2.30¢
|
$0.00
|
6/6 sec
|
2 Minutes
|
94.2 |
Our Opinion:
IBNtel has years of experience in the telecommunications industry. They offer a very competitive rate of 2.3 cents per minute with no monthly charges. Attractive six-second billing increments.
Other Fees:
IBNtel charges $1.95 each month that your usage is under $20.
|
|
10 |
|
4.25¢
|
$0.00
|
6/18 sec
|
<1 Minute
|
92.5 |
Our Opinion:
PowerNetGlobal offers three great plans, all with state-to-state rates under 4.5 cents per minute. The 4.25 cents/minute plan is best with its 6-second increment billing. If you call more inside your state, then go for the 4.5 cents/minute plan and get great in-state rates.
Other Fees:
PowerNetGlobal offers three great plans, all with state-to-state rates under 4.5 cents per minute. We like the 4.25 cents/minute plan best, get 6-second increment billing. If you call more inside your state, then go for the 4.5 cents/minute plan and get great in-state rates.
|
 |
