Dear user,
Rategate.com wants you to make a well educated caller. We want you to find and navigate through the telecommunication jungle. Thus we tried to collect many usefull infos concerning telecommunication issues.
We continously try to collect all telecommunication data to help you explain all the different telecommunication terms. One example is your telphone bill. You will find tons of different terms, rates and prices
allthough you really do not understand what you should pay for. If you navigate through our help and service section, you will find a lot of explanation for all those terms.
Please feel free to navigate through Rategate and make yourself a well educated caller.
Telecom helpdesk
Understanding your phone bill / Monthly fees & charges
10-10 Dial-Around information
Bundled local & long distance service plans
Important infomation: Be aware that it is not always the cheapest alternative
to switch to Unlimited bundled Local and Long Distance service plans for
the average consumer as actual costs include taxes and provider fees that
may vary from $10 - $20 more than the advertised monthly fee shown. Please
first contact your provider to get the information about possible additional
fees and taxes associated with any phone service plan.
In general, bundled & unlimited calling plans are most suitable for high volume
callers with specific repeating calling habits. However for all other callers
such services are not that beneficial and even may imply additional costs.
Below you'll find a list of various types of plans together with an explanation
with which you can analyze whether they're suitable for your demands and
whether you can save money.
The three different service plans:
- Bundled Calling/Service Plans
Description: This type presents the latest bundled service plan on the market
and combines local and long distance telecommunication service
for one monthly fee. Some plans include "free" unlimited long distance,
"free" dial-up internet access, and other perks.
Advantage: Either for those who make a LOT of long distance calls or the
service provides such many features that you save a considerably amount of money.
Disadvantage: Monthly fees often exceed local phone bills together with
long distance services. Click here
to inform about rates from discount providers.
Another negative effect is, that you are bound to only one provider and in the
event that you desire to switch your local service or long distance provider,
you loose the benefits and may have additional fees. (In particular for switching
your local service provider)
Usefull info:
- Ask about fees and taxes which may increase the monthly bill by $10.00 - $20.00.
-
Check whether intra- AND interstate long distance calls are covered
-
Check whether voicemail is included, otherwise additional monthly charges may occur.
-
Although you have month where you place less calls, you still have to pay set fees plus taxes.
Test the suitability of bundled plans for your demands:
- Combine local bill + long distance bill = total bill
- total bill < monthly fee for bundled plan → keep status quo
(don't switch otherwise you'll loose money)
- total bill > monthly fee for bundled plan → service might save money
now go to the chart to check whether servives really saves you money
- Then determine how many calling features you want to have
calling features include: Waiting; Caller ID; 3-Way Calling;
Repeat Dialing; Call Forwarding; Call Block; Call Return; 900/976
Restriction; Anonymous Call Rejection
- calculate the total amount of calling minutes
| Calling Features |
| Monthly Usage In Minutes |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4+ |
| 0 - 200
most consumers |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
| 200 - 400 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
YES |
| 400 - 600 |
NO |
NO |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Over 600 |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
YES means that you may look into switching
no means that the plan is not the least expensive alternative
(please check other tools to save money on your long distance bill)
link to customized rate sheet. |
- Block Plans
Description:
Block Plans means that you buy a certain amount of free minutes for a fixed monthly fee.
If you exceed your number of free minutes, you will get charged by a per-minute rate
on those extra minutes. (Similar to prepaid plans) Please contact your provider for more
detailed information on those minute packages.
Advantage: The per minute rate is lower than the average industry per minute rate.
Disadvantage: If you do not use all your minutes in your package, the remaining
minutes will be lost and not transferred to the next month. All extra minutes will be
charged with a higher rate than the average telecommunication industry standard.
Info: Check whether high per minute rates on usage exceeds the number of
allocated minutes.
Check whether inter- AND intrastate long distance calls are available.
You may save money if you constantly (each month) talk on the phone for the number of
minutes that are listed in your block plan.
- Unlimited Long Distance Calling
Description: Very simple!
You pay one certain amount of money per month and you can place as many long distance calls
as you like.
Advantage: It's the cheaper alternative for those who are high frequency long
distance callers.
Disadvantage: Monthly fees often exceed discount long distance services which
would correspond to your average monthly usage. Click for a list of
discount provider
Usefull info: Check fees and taxes which may raise the monthly bill by $5-$10.
Check whether intra- AND inter State long distance calls are covered.
Wireless local number portability
Prepaid Phone / Calling card scams
PIC Information
Free consumer Telecom service advice
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