Direct dial 1 plus long distance FAQ
Who is HorizonNet?
HorizonNet (www.allLongdistance.com) is a free Internet-based service that allows you to shop, compare, sign up and monitor long distance plans. Our goal is to provide businesses as well as consumers with the largest unbiased source of telecom information anywhere. You can compare long distance rates on an apples-to-apples basis, in order to find the best long distance carrier for your needs. AllLongdistance.com makes it easy to switch your long distance service - right here online
How can you offer such low rates with such high quality? What is the catch?
Advertising costs are the biggest bottom line cost that AT&T, MCI, and Sprint face. Trying to get customers by advertising on TV and by making cold calls to consumers at dinnertime is an expensive way of getting customers. For example, AT&T is always doing print and non print media advertising, and running call centers with hundreds of operators making calls 10 hours per day asking people to change to their service. This doesn't include AT&T's large employee hierarchy.
How do you think they pay for all of this? By including it in the price they charge you. The carriers that we use do not advertise. That is why you may not have heard of them. This doesn't mean that they are any less dependable. It is a marketing strategy. By not advertising in traditional ways they are able to provide you long distance service at a deeply discounted price. The process of getting customers on the Internet is much cheaper. Advertising is an attempt to create product image and brand loyalty. It creates an image in your mind, but in reality all phone service that we offer is identical to the best carrier that you have ever had. If you want a brand name, feel free to pay for it. If they spend huge amounts to advertise a rate plan, you can bet there is small print that makes it profitable (profitable = more costly than you think) after paying off the huge marketing campaign's bill.
We offer you the alternative of paying less for the exact same service. There is no catch! This process is just like off branding, where a company wants to sell excess production or excess capacity and uses a different name to sell the same product for less without compromising the brand price structure.
What do I do if my calling patterns change?
Because our lives are always changing, our long distance calling patterns (the days, times and places we call) change, too. Moving to another state, sending a child off to college, starting a home business - these are all events that can have an impact on your long distance bill. If your calling patterns change, simply come back to the allLongdistance.com site and check on our rates based on your new situation. You will then find the best rates for your needs.
Why should I deal through an independent sales representative?
There is a lively, competitive market for long distance services. Comparing products, services and prices from several long distance providers may be worth your while. But, we realize that it takes time and effort to individually contact a number of long distance providers.
As an independent sales representative representing many providers, HorizonNet can supply information from a number of providers for you. You save time and effort. You get the benefits of shopping in one location for your long distance needs with many carriers, without the hassles of dealing directly with each company on the phone.
Don't believe me! Give a big carrier a call and ask them to compare themselves to carrier "x". Ask them how much your bill will be for 150 minutes of interlata calls including the USF and PICC fee. Did you get a "HUH? But wait, our....." From the customer service rep? They can only sell you their service. An independent representative offers long distance service from many carriers for you to conveniently shop in one location without bias.
Are there significant quality differences between long distance companies?
Yes and no. Ever since the telecommunications industry was deregulated and AT&T was broken up into "Baby Bells" in the 1980's, long distance has been a commodity. All long distance companies, including AT&T, Sprint, MCI WorldCom and more use the same fiber optic networks to transport their calls. While some long distance companies claim that their service is of higher quality, there is actually very little (if any) difference between the carriers.
However, different companies have different processes in place to run their businesses. While the quality of the actual phone service is no different from carrier to carrier, their billing processes, customer service and business practices can be quite different.
Does HorizonNet include the rates for all long distance companies?
No. According to the FCC, there are over 1200 long distance providers. We only work with companies that we found are reputable and offer competitive rates so that our customers remain happy. It does not make sense to offer every carrier if they will not help you. How many of your cable channels do you regularly watch! And there are many more channels available on top of that!
How long will it take for the carrier change to take place?
Depending on the carrier, from 5-10 business days.
I've got least cost routing programmed in our phone system; I know I have the most cost efficient system!
The only thing programmed is the belief that Least Cost Routing (LCR) is the correct thing to do. LCR doesn't always work, even if it was programmed correctly! Least Cost Routing (LCR) only works when you put the actual least cost plan in. If you are spending 8 CPM on your local Bell long distance and you LCR to your long distance carrier at 5.9 cents, you are certainly saving money, provided that the 5.9 cents is actually the least cost price. Compare your plans to ours and see just what you could be saving.
Do all of the phone lines have to be switched to the same plan and carrier?
No. HorizonNet will help you find the best plan and carrier for as many different lines as you need. For example, phone lines in different locations (area codes) may get better rates with different plans. However, all phone lines that will appear on the same bill need to be switched to the same carrier and plan. If you program LCR in to your PBX equipment each line may have a different carrier. The idea is to utilize the best carrier for your calling needs. Comparing many plans is the only way to accomplish this.
Where do I begin to understand my telephone bill?
Start with the per-minute rate. The cost before fees divided by the number of minutes used. Then look at the adjustable fees (PICC and USF). Compare these to the plan that you are looking at. The per-minute rate is not the only thing that you need to shop for! PICC and USF fees WILL VARY from carrier to carrier. I could start my own long distance company offering 1 cent per minute. Would you like that! What you won't see upfront is the $15 PICC fee and 100% USF fee.
What does that mean to you?
The PICC fee is charged in full every month weather you use the service or not. It's the cost for the long distance carrier to connect to the local carrier's equipment (but the fee is charged/set by the long distance carrier). The USF fee is charged on all of your long distance calls. If you use 500 minutes at 1 cent that's $5. Add the 100% USF fee and you are now at $10. Then add the PICC fee and you are now at $25.
See how quickly the bill added-up? I offered a great rate but in the small print (for most carriers at least) the actual rate went up quite a bit. That final rate equates to 5 cents a minute! That's a far cry from 1 cent!
Look at the rate and the fees. Compare that to your calling patterns and reveal the Bottom Line difference.
How can I cut my long distance phone bill by 3-10% without changing carriers?
Many carriers allow you to install account codes, so when each employee calls they have to enter a 3-4 digit number to allow the call to go through. At the end of the month you receive a report showing who used the phone and how much they utilized. Once employees know this, the calls to 'grandma back East' virtually disappear. Many companies report a 3-10% decrease in long distance charges, upon implementation. Some users, attorneys or architects, use account codes to track usage, monitor for abuse and/or track project costs.
Where can I find definitions for long distance terms?
Take a look at our telecommunications glossary here.
Where can I receive the best rates? (Everyone advertises low prices, who really has the lowest rates?)
In short, No One! It depends on where you live/work, and just what your calling patterns are. Rates will very from region to region. Are most of your calls interlata? Intralata? Do you receive many toll free calls from pay phones?
Only your own individual calling patterns can determine what your final cost will be. Anyone can promise low rates, but put the rates and the fees next to each other based on your usage and you will see just what you are really paying.
Are there any costs involved to switch carriers?
There is no switching fee charged by the long distance carrier to switch to their service. However, your local phone company may charge a one-time switching fee. Some long distance carriers will reimburse this fee.
Do I need to dial an access code to benefit from the reduced rates?
No. The "1 plus" services that we offer are direct dial, the same as you currently have with the Big 3 carriers. You will continue to dial 1 + area code + number. We also offer Dial Around services where you call a number first and then dial your destination number. You do not need to change carriers to use a Dial Around service, but you do need to change carriers for regular "1 Plus" service.
I tried to switch to (company X) Long Distance, but my local phone company couldn't do it. Why not?
Probably one of two reasons. The first is you most likely have a security block on your line called a "PIC Freeze." That prevents long distance companies from grabbing your business without your express authorization. You must remove the freeze or self-PICC. If this is the case you will receive an email from HorizonNet explaining the problem.
The other reason could be the TPV (third Party Verification). This is where an independent auditing company calls you to verbally confirm that you do indeed want a new long distance carrier. Some states require this by law and some carriers choose this option for all potential customers. This is a good practice by responsible companies to avoid "slamming" customers to their service. If you signed-up on-line and you receive a TPV call for the carrier that you signed-up for you must tell the operator that you did indeed want the service or "company X" will not change your service.
How can i prevent slamming? (Just what is slamming?)
Slamming is when you phone lines are switched to another carrier without your permission. It is illegal to slam. To test your lines for which carrier services each specific line, dial 1-700-555-4141. This will tell you, for that one specific line you called from, who the carrier is. You must repeat this for each line. Once you are sure you have the carrier, then call your local phone company and ask for a "PIC freeze." The PIC (Primary Interexchange Code) is the 5-digit code the local phone company attaches to each call you make so they know whom to bill. By placing a "PIC freeze" on the line, the PIC code can't be changed without VERBAL authorization from the user!
So there are only two types of calls, local and long distance. Right?
Actually there are four. Local, regional long distance (intralata), interlata and in state long distance.
Your long distance carrier will always handle your interlata calls even if the different lata in within your state. This is due to federal law. An interlata call within your state might be a different rate than an out of state interlata call. Check the plan for details. You may choose who will handle your intralata calls (regional long distance). It could be your long distance carrier or your local telephone company. It's up to you depending on who has the best rate. Lastly your local phone company will handle all of your local calls. Still confused? Take a look here to demystify interlata and intralata.
Who determines where my local calling area ends and a toll area begins?
Your local phone company. That's the law. If you want to know the extent of your regional calling area, check your local phone book
Why does (company X) have different rates for some customers?
Your rate depends on where you live and who provides your local phone service. Carriers offer you the lowest rate they can based on what your local company charges them for handing off your long distance calls.
Also, in-state long distance calls are usually more expensive than state-to-state ones because local companies generally charge more for handing off these calls.
I have questions not covered in this FAQ.
Please send us an e-mail and we will be happy to answer any specific questions that you may have.
More info
Interlata? Intralata? What is this?
Are you giving money to your phone company? How to shop for long distance service.
