Long Distance – Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about long distance? Get the answers.

How does long distance billing work? What are the most common billing increments?

Most long distance providers bill you in one-minute increments. This means they round up to the nearest minute when charging you for a phone call. So, when you talk for two minutes and two seconds, you are charged for a three-minute call. Some long distance providers, however, may use different billing increments, such as 30-second increments or even 6-second increments.

What is a local toll call?

A local toll call is a call that is too far from home to be considered a local call, but too close to be considered long distance. Also known as Intra-LATA (Local Access and Transport Area) calls, consumers now have a choice of which carrier covers their local toll calls. For advice on choosing local toll phone service, read Switching Local Toll and Long Distance Carriers.

What is a flat rate?

A company that uses a flat rate will charge you the same per-minute rate for any call you make, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is slamming, and how do I prevent it from happening to me?

Slamming is when a long distance company switches your service without your knowledge or permission. If this happens, you have the right to not pay the company who slammed you. The best way to prevent this from happening at all is to put a primary inter-exchange carrier (PIC) freeze on your phone number. This PIC freeze needs to be sent to your current provider in writing. For more information about slamming, read the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)article When Your Preferred Telephone Company Is Switched Without Your Permission – "Slamming"

What happens if I don't sign up for a long distance plan? Can I still make long distance calls?

Yes, you can still make long-distance calls. If you don't use a prepaid phone card (calling card) or one of the 10-10 dial around services, your carrier will bill you "at random." You will be charged rates that are not part of any calling plan you are familiar with, and are generally extremely high.

What is 10-10 calling or dial around calling?

The term 10-10 calling refers to dialing 1010 plus a 3-digit code before making a long-distance telephone connection. It is a way of selecting a long-distance carrier, which then bills you on your monthly phone bill. The rates for dial-around calls are much lower than if your telephone service provider charged random rates, which are not associated with a calling plan. For an explanation, see the Ohio Consumers' Counsel article Understanding Dial-Around Long-Distance Services.

How long does it take to switch my long distance service, and how much will it cost me?

This entire process usually takes anywhere from one day to two weeks, and the cost varies by provider. Many long-distance carriers will charge $5 or $10 to switch your service, but many will credit your account for this amount after you switch your service.

What are the additional federal and state fees at the bottom of my phone bill?

Besides paying for telephone service and long-distance charges, consumers are billed a variety of fees, including Federal Universal Service fees, Federal Access charges, Local Number Portability fees, and even (in some states) surcharges to fund emergency telecommunications such as 911. For an explanation of these fees, see the Ohio Consumers' Counsel article Telephone Bill Made Easy.

What is a Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier Charge (PICC)?

This is a fee that local phone service providers charge to long-distance companies to help pay for infrastructure like outside wires and telephone poles. The long-distance company pays this charge for every line the company uses. In 2000 the FCC eliminated this fee from local residential phone bills, although providers still apply PICC charges to multi-line businesses.

For more information about long-distance telephone service, see the related articles in our Knowledge Center Library.

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