Determine What You Need

Local Service Plans and Features

Find the Right Plan

Control Expenses

Contracts, Terms and Renewals

Additional Costs

Billing and Service

Determine What You Need
The following hints are to help you determine what you may need. Included are the types of plans that are available and methods of determining which plan would be best suited for your usage.

Local Service Plans and Features
Measured-Rate Service is a plan that charges for each completed
outgoing local call. Charges are made based on the call duration and distance between calling points. It incurs a lower fixed monthly charge. There may also charges for local calls based on the time, duration and distance of the calls. This option is preferable if you make a large
number of local calls but each is of short duration.

Message-Rate Service is a plan that charges for each and every completed outgoing local call regardless of the duration. A certain
number of local calls may be included with the plan, but once they are used, there is a charge for each local call. This option is preferable if
you make a limited number of local calls but each is of long duration.

Flat-Rate Service is a plan that allows unlimited local calling for a
certain fee. It incurs the highest fixed monthly charge for local lines.

Find the Right Plan
The best service for you depends on your individual usage. Here are a
few thumbnail sketches of how to determine the best plan for your
usage.

Measured Rate is probably the best plan for you if…
-  You make less than 7 - 10 calls daily.
-  Most of your calls are long distance
-  Most of your calls are incoming

Message Rate is probably the best plan for you if…
-  You make less than 7 - 10 calls daily.
-  Most of your calls are long distance or.
-  Most of your calls are incoming

Flat Rate is probably the best plan for you if…
-  You make more than 7 - 10 calls daily.
-  Your outgoing local calls are of very long duration.
-  If this service is not available, ask your provider about discount local
   or intralata calling plans.

Control Expenses
Reduce the Need for Additional Lines.
Consider whether functions can be utilized on shared lines. For instance, modems that are only intermittently used may be able to share a single line, or dial-up alarm services may be able to piggyback on regular business lines.

Piggyback Services
Piggybacking services means using one line for different types of calling. An example of piggybacking services is using a single line for both
outgoing calls and an Internet connection.

Avoid the Duplication of Services.
-  Your telephone equipment may have the capability to provide
   advanced features, such as speed dialing, conference calling, etc.
-  Don't order features that you won't use or that duplicate those of
   your existing telephone system.
-  Before you purchase wire maintenance coverage check to see if your
   equipment was purchased with this.
-  The vendor may also have it available to add to your existing
   contract if it does not have it and if you have a contract.

Avoid Unnecessary Charges.
-  Your local provider can block your lines to prevent the usage charges
   on additional services.
-  Call Blocking, 900/976 calls, collect calls, third-party charges,
   automatic call return, automatic redial, directory-assistance
   automatic call completion, three-way calling are such services that
   incur additional charges.

A "PIC-Freeze" Can Save Money.
-  A PIC-Freeze is when a local provider "freezes" the long distance
   carrier.
-  You are the only one that can remove a PIC-Freeze.
-  A PIC-Freeze can save you money by preventing your long distance
   carrier from being switched without your authorization.
-  This is something called "slamming" which could result in additional
   charges that you may not be aware of.

Contracts, Terms and Renewals
-  Some contracts include a clause that will match other companies -
   competitive rates that become available after the contract is signed.
-  If you have a long-term contract, it would be important to be
   assured of future competitive rates.
-  Some contracts have an automatic renewal provision that states
   unless you notify the provider in writing, in advance of contract
   expiration, you will be locked in to another multi-year term.
-  Contracts are beneficial because of the savings potential, but the
   wise shopper considers carefully.

Additional Costs
There are additional costs that may be incurred for necessary
equipment, installation, programming, service etc. Make sure you find
out about them beforehand so you can budget accordingly.