| Method
| Description
| Pros
| Cons
|
| Traditional
| Dial 1+ number from landline via a long distance company that you choose
|
- Very inexpensive if you choose the right plan
- Easy to change providers
|
- In-state rates are often higher
|
| Bundled
| A flat rate for unlimited long distance, usually with your local phone company
|
- Single bill
- Possibly a small discount with bundle
- In-state long distance not more expensive
|
- You'll likely be overpaying each month unless you make lots of long distance calls
|
| Wireless
| Calls made with a cell phone as part of a wireless rate plan subscription
| - Most plans include long distance at no added charge
- Mobility enables long distance calls to be made from just about anywhere
|
- This can become the most expensive way to make long distance calls -- learn why>>
- International long distance can be very expensive
|
| VoIP
| Like traditional, except calls are transmitted digitally over the Internet instead of over the public telephone network
|
- Plans bundle home local and long distance at much lower rates than traditional phone companies. The more you call, the more you benefit
- Service may be portable when traveling
- Low international rates
|
- Requires a broadband Internet connection
- Must register location to fully leverage public 911 services
- No phone service with loss of power or Internet connection
|
| Calling Card
| Prepaid purchase of long distance airtime
| - Low cost per minute, particularly for international calls
|
- May need to dial an access code
- Tricky pricing --- watch for connection fees, rounding rules and maintenance charges, all of which can make a low rate much higher than it first appears
- Need to repurchase airtime on a periodic basis
|
Making long distance calls has not disappeared in the five years since MyRatePlan published its first long distance rate calculator. However, the number of options to make those calls has grown with the advent of new technologies and ever-more intense competition. These changes have saved consumers billions of dollars and have created large changes in the industry, including the proposed purchases of one-time leaders AT&T and MCI by regional phone companies.
