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The 1010 Option
One method used to lower long distance bills is to eliminate all pre-subscribe long distance carriers from your phone line and use an alternate method as the occasion arises. This effectively eliminates monthly minimums and for businesses, the Universal Service Charge.
These alternate methods include:
- using a Dial-Around (1010) service
- using a calling card
- calling collect
This section focuses on the Dial-Around (1010) option, a service which allows access to a carrier’s network without being their regular customer. Instead of just picking up the phone and dialing the 1+area code+phone number, a user is required to dial the selected carrier’s access code (typically a seven digit code) prior to the 1+area code+phone number.
Although there are numerous Dial-Around services, most are owned by just a handful of companies. Among the owners are AT&T, MCI, Excel, Telco, Vartec, and WorldXchange.
Since Dial-Arounds are just as notorious as calling card companies for hidden charges, the user has to exercise caution in selecting such a service. Remember, approximately 70% of all calls last less than one (1) minute due to answering devices, wrong person home, etc. So if a provider charges 5˘ per minute with a 10 minute minimum and a 15˘ connection fee, over 70% of your calls will actually cost 65˘ a minute.
To help in your selection of a Dial-Around service, Senitel has put together the following guide:
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Service
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Underlying Carrier
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Advertised Rate
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Comments
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10-16-868
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PT-1
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7.9˘/Min
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This plan is free of all fees except the USF and is the best of the lot!
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10-10-220
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MCI Worldcom
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7.0˘/Min
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Per call minimum of $.99 and a monthly USF of $1.50 even if only one call was placed. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-297
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TELCO
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15.0˘/Min
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Per call connection charge of $.15 and a monthly USF of $1.10 even if only one call was placed. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-345
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Vista Interntl
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10.0˘/Min
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No monthly service fee or per call minimums - unknown USF. Good 24/7 with local billing.
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10-10-399
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TELCO
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5.0˘/Min
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Per call minimum of $.90 plus a per call connection charge of $.15 and a monthly USF of $1.10 even if only one call was placed. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-457
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TELCO
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10.0˘/Min
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Per call connection charge of $.15 and a monthly USF of $1.10 even if only one call was placed. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-502
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World XChange
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9.0˘/Min
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There is a $4.95 charge on any line using the service during the month... even if only for one call! There is also a $1.49 USF. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-629
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World XChange
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7.0˘/Min
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There is a $4.95 charge on any line using the service during the month... even if only for one call! There is also a $1.49 USF. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-636
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Var Tec
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9.0/Min
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There is a $3.95 charge on any line using the service during the month... even if only for one call! Unknown USF. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-719
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Startec
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7.9˘/Min
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Per call connection charge of $.30 and an unknown USF charge. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-10-811
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Var Tec
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5.0˘/Min
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Per call minimum of $.50 and an unknown USF. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-15-335
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World XChange
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4.0˘/Min
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Per call minimum of $.40 plus a 9.9% surcharge. Unknown USF charge. Good 24/7 with local billing
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10-16-789
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America One
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8.0˘/Min
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There is a $4.95 charge on any line using the service during the month... even if only for one call! All calls under one minute are free. Unknown USF charge. Good 24/7 with local billing
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