Phone rates rising at blistering pace. Long-distance costs surge 55% in 4 years

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | February 2, 2004 | Todd Wallack

[John Jorsett]

The nation's largest long-distance carriers have raised their basic rates by an average of more than 55 percent during the past four years, socking consumers who haven't signed up for special calling plans, according to a report released today by Consumer Action, a San Francisco consumer watchdog group.

[Indrid Cold]

My wife and I cancelled our phone and just use cel phones with free long distance. $15/month under a group plan from work. We also cancelled cable--heck, the internet is much more fun.

[newgeezer]

Does that work for LOCAL long distance, also?

Yes. You could call your next-door neighbor with this card, if you really wanted to spend 3.47 cents/min in doing so. I call the next county with it, the next state, overseas, etc.

I dial an 800-number, followed by my card number, followed by the area code and phone number. It was a lot of dialing, until I programmed it into my memory phones.

[macrahanish #1]

Last month our long distance bill was less than two dollars.Our local bill was over thirty-five dollars.

[sd-joe]

Cell phones are a good solution for some people.

While the phone company "local" free area is a few miles. The cell phone "local" free area in So California is the whole state of CA and most of Nevada.

Also you can get cell phone plans that have national coverage included in the rate, so no extra charges for long distance.

[lawdude]

Huh??

My cell phone gives me FREE LD. And I use it!

[RckyRaCoCo]

or this

[Incorrigible]

I know, because phone systems are my bidness

Something makes me think you would like

Herbert Kornfeld in Accounts Receivable

 

[LadyPilgrim]

I have FREE long distance !!!
You can too.
Freep-mail me, and go here:

www.excelir.com/lhaynes1
www.globalsuccess2000.com/lrhaynes

[E. Pluribus Unum]

3.47 cents per minute

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Oops.

3.47 cents per minute

[Sloth]

I use http://www.bigredwire.com

[goodnesswins]

THANKS....

[macrahanish #1]

I live in Potter County, PA. There is NO cell-phone coverage here. If there was, we'd probably use one exclusively.

[stylin19a]

The nation's largest long-distance carriers have raised their basic rates by an average of more than 55 percent during the past four years

even if this is true, LD it's still cheaper now than it was 20 years ago.

[americanbychoice]

I use the SAM's card for international calls.
We also have unlimited local and long distance calling for $24.99 per month through Bellsouth.
My phone bill has never been this low.