Eric's Phone Page

Eric's Phone Page

This page contains an objective assessment of the best deals available in telephone usage. I attempt to keep the page up-to-date with the latest developments in the various plans. Nearly everyone in the United States can save substantially by switching to any of several calling plans which are superior to their current service.

Free Assessment
Local Phone Service
Long Distance Phone
Calling Cards
Cell phone service
Free Fax service

Free Assessment -- If you'd like me to assess your calling patterns and recommend the best plan I am aware of given your calling patterns, feel free to send me an E-Mail. You will need to tell me the following information in the E-Mail:

What is your area code and first three digits of your phone number?
Approximately how many minutes of out of state long-distance calls do you typically make per month?
Approximately how many minutes of in-state long-distance calls and local-toll calls do you typically make per month? Your local-toll calls are probably included on your local phone bill.
What foreign countries do you typically call and how many minutes per month to each?

To send me an E-Mail requesting a free assessment, click here, or send it to: erichaas@umich.edu.

Local Phone Service -- While many people still have no choice, it is increasingly true that you can choose between more than one local phone service provider. Here are a few recommendations:

Your Cable Television company. Cable companies are increasingly expanding to broad-band internet access and local phone service. Check with your local cable companies to see if this is a good option for you.
TalkAmerica. For areas covered, this deal can be very good. Unfortunately, most areas aren't covered at this time. Check to see if they serve your area!

Long Distance Phone -- Most people pay much, much too much for their long distance service these days. If you are using AT&T, for example, you are probably paying several times what you should. Even if you are using one of the alternatives, you are probably paying quite a bit more than you should.

Long distance phone service is an incredible value these days. It should be comparison shopped, like any other commodity. I list below the best plans I have found in order of how good they are. Otherwise, here is a good search engine for the best rates (although it is not as complete as my list below). Here is another search engine.. If you'd like to become a distributor for several of these deals (and earn a 6% "kick back" on the calls of any people you sign up), check here -- there is no cost, no investment, and no obligation of any sort.

When reviewing the below long-distance plans, keep in mind that the rates quoted are for state-to-state calls. In general, calls within your state have a different rate that varies by state for each plan (you have to look it up at the respective plan's web site). Also note that rates for international calls vary dramatically from one plan to the next. If you make lots of international calls, check each plan's rates for that particular country.

For residential service, here's my current preferences (i.e., the best deals that I've found) in rough order from best to worst:

ECG (3.5 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees). They bill in one minute increments. They seem to have some pretty good international rates, as well as a few good in-state rates.
Accxx Communications (4.9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees). They bill in six second increments with an 18 second minimum per call. Either billed conventionally or direct billed to your credit card. Some of their in-state rates are particularly good (e.g., MI and IL are 3.99 ¢/min).
UniTel (4.5 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees unless your total is less than $15). They bill in six second increments with an eighteen second minimum per call. They claim to have a $2.00 "low usage" fee for each month that you don't use at least $15.00 (i.e., at least 333 minutes), however, I know somebody who doesn't get charged this fee, so you may not either. You are billed separately.
TalkAmerica (3.9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees, $5 monthly minimum). Their in-state rates don't seem very good, but if most of your long-distance calls are out of state, this could be a good choice for you.
Capsule Communications (3.9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees if you use AUTOPAY or if your monthly bill is at least $20). They bill in 6 second increments. If you don't use their AUTOPAY service, there is a $1.99 "low usage" fee for each month that you don't use at least $20 (i.e., at least 513 minutes). They have great state-to-state rates, but terrible in-state rates, so if you primarily make out-of-state calls, this may be the plan for you. Interestingly, they also have a 10 ¢/min calling card with six second billing and a 30 second minimum -- no monthly fees -- one time $2 setup fee.
GTC Telecom (5 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees unless you want to be billed on your local phone bill). There is a $1.95 monthly fee IF you want to be billed on your local phone bill each month. Otherwise, you are billed directly to your credit card at no fee.
ClearChoice (5 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees). There is a three minute minimum per call. This is one of those "10-10" dial-around services (one of the best two available, as far as I know). You don't have to switch long distance providers or even sign up in any way to use them -- just dial "10-10-636" then "1", the area code, and the phone number you wish to call. You will be billed on your local phone bill. Beware that in-state calls are pretty expensive with them -- 15 ¢/min.

One way to use this to your advantage might be to call using your regular "dial-1" phone service to see if the person you are calling is there and can talk for at least three minutes, then hang up and call them back using this service.
WORLDxCHANGE Call 4 Cents (4 ¢/min for the first ten minutes of a call, 4.9 ¢/min after first ten minutes, all day every day with no monthly fees). There is a ten minute minimum per call. This is one of those "10-1" dial-around services (one of the best two available, as far as I know). You don't have to switch long distance providers or even sign up in any way to use them -- just dial "10-15-335" then "1", the area code, and the phone number you wish to call. The first time you call, you will need to enter a "setup code" when prompted -- "223197". You will be billed on your local phone bill. Note that intrastate calls are the same price as interstate calls, which is pretty much unbeatable (but the ten minute, or 40 ¢ minimum per call still applies, so only use this if you are sure that you will be going at least eight minutes or so). International calls are pretty cheap with them as well, but go to the web site and check international rates to the country you are calling before using it just to make sure.

You will be billed on your local phone bill.

One way to use this to your advantage might be to call using your regular "dial-1" phone service to see if the person you are calling is there and can talk for at least ten minutes, then hang up and call them back using this service.
Opex (4.9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees unless your total is less then $20). They bill in six second increments with an 18 second minimum per call. There is a $2.00 "low usage" fee for each month that you don't use at least $20/month (i.e., at least 408 minutes). The per minute rate actually varies according to the rates which YOUR local phone company charges long distance companies to access its customers. For me, the rate would be the advertised best rate: 4.9 ¢/min.
Erbia (6.2 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees unless you want a paper bill). Significantly, they bill in one second increments with only a one second minimum per call. Those two things can really save you a lot of money. If you want a traditional paper bill and the bill is less than $15, you will be assessed a $2.95/month (if you don't want a paper bill, you will be direct billed to your credit card) and the interstate rate will be 6.9 ¢/min.
ATN Ultra (6.9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly fees). They bill in six second increments with an 18 second minimum per call.
If you make lots of state-to-state calls per month and/or you make lots of international calls, you might consider Qwest (5 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly minimum). They have great international rates too. They bill in one second increments with a one minute minimum per call. There is a $4.95 monthly fee if you choose on-line (i.e., not paper) billing. It is a better deal than UniTel only if you principally make international calls (Qwest's international rates seem to be better than UniTel's).
If you make lots of state-to-state calls per month and you NEVER make them during the day on weekdays, you might consider MCI 5¢ Everyday. It is 5 ¢/min weekdays from 7 pm to 7 am and all day weekends. BUT it is 25 ¢/min during the day on weekdays. There is a $1.95 monthly fee and a $5 monthly minimum.
If you are comfortable with getting all your statements on-line and make at least $10 in calls per month, you can try Planet Earth Communications (6.9 ¢/min all day every day with $10 monthly minimum). They bill in one minute increments with a one minute minimum per call.
MCI 7¢ Anytime (7 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly minimum). There is a $3.95 monthly fee. You can save $1/mo by getting your bills online.
Planet Earth Communications (7.9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly minimum). They bill in one minute increments with a one minute minimum per call.
MCI Worldcom Weekends (7 ¢/min all day every day, except 5 ¢/min weekends). There is a $5.95 monthly fee. You can save $1/mo by getting your bills online.
MCI 9¢ Anytime (9 ¢/min all day every day with no monthly minimum). No monthly fee.
If you make at least $5 per month in calls, make most of your calls on weekends, and are comfortable with on-line statements, you might consider MCI One Net Savings plan (9 ¢/min all day every day, except 5 ¢/min weekends with a $5 monthly minimum).
US Sprint has a program called Nickel Anytime, which is 5 ¢/minute all day every day, but has a monthly fee of $8.95.
AT&T One Rate 7¢ Plus is 7 ¢/minute all day everyday but there is a $3.95 monthly fee.

Calling Cards -- The best calling cards that I am aware of, in order (keep in mind that typical calling card rates are anywhere from 25 ¢/min to 69 ¢/min from AT&T, Sprint, and MCI):

OneSuite.com (2.9 ¢/min with one minute billing and a one minute minimum per call). This is essentially a rechargeable pre-paid phone card without the "card". Here's how it works. You sign up with them and charge your credit card for a certain amount. That is your pre-paid credit. Then, when you want to make a call, you dial their 1-800 number, enter your PIN, and the number you wish to dial. You have to periodically recharge your account at least every six months or your account expires. Apparently, if you don't recharge your account at least every six months, your account expires and you lose whatever is in your account -- so be VERY careful about that ("The Account ... will expire 6 months after the date of first purchase or the date of each recharge.")! No connection fees (except from pay phones).
Sam's Club/AT&T PrePaid Phone Card (3.47 ¢/min with one minute billing and a one minute minimum per call). While the overwhelming majority of pre-paid calling cards are really bad deals, this one and the one below are good. You can buy it at any Sam's Club IF you are a Sam's Club member. No connection fees (except from pay phones), no expiration date, and rechargeable. This is what I use.

Note that you can still get one of these if you are NOT a Sam's Club member at SaveWithPrepaid.com. Unfortunately, they charge a pretty steep "one time Service Charge" of $7.79. It could be worth it if you use the card a lot and recharge it often.
Costco/MCI PrePaid Phone Card (3.48 ¢/min with one minute billing and a one minute minimum per call). While the overwhelming majority of pre-paid calling cards are really bad deals, this one and the above one are good. You can buy it at any Costco IF you are a Costco member. No connection fees (except from pay phones), no expiration date, and rechargeable.
AccuChat (6.9 ¢/min with one minute billing, a one minute minimum per call, a one time $1 activation fee and a $1/month fee for each month you use the card).
AccuLinQ (8.9 ¢/min with six second billing, a 30 second minimum per call, a one time $1 activation fee, a $1/month fee for each month you use the card, and a $1/month fee if a mailed bill is desired (as opposed to on-line bills)). This is a better deal than the 8.5 ¢/min RoadTel below if you use less than 248 minutes per month and you don't get mailed bills.
Capsule Communications (10 ¢/min, six second billing, 30 second minimum per call and a one time $2 activation fee). This only seems to be available to Capsule Communications's long distance customers, not as a stand alone card.
ATNUltra (13.9 ¢/min, six second billing, six second minimum per call).
RoadTel (14.9 ¢/min, six second billing, six second minimum per call).

Cell phone service -- It is difficult to make recommendations on cell phone service, since all the plans are structured so very differently. This prevents an "apples to apples" comparison. Most experts recommend that you decide what your actual calling pattern will be, plug that into the various deals available, and select the cheapest plan that results. But there is a site that I am aware of that try to help you make this decision::

http://cognigen.net/cellular/?miscom. This is a great list of many available cell phone plans in each area. It lets you check coverage areas, and provides a useful chart for comparison of available plan options.

Free Fax service -- I recently discovered three FREE fax seervices. Here's how they both work: After you sign up, they give you a fax number that people can use to send you faxes. When somebody sends you a fax, it is automatically sent to you by E-Mail to the E-Mail address you specify. I tried it and it seems to work pretty well!

All these deals are subject to change. As I find better deals, I will note them here.

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This page last updated 08/10/03