Do you use a calling card from home to save money on long distance or international calls? If so, is the card included as part of your long distance service or is it billed separately through another carrier? Do you have to prepay for the minutes on your calling card, or are those calls simply included in your regular invoice at the end of each billing period? Even if you are happy with your current calling card service, consider how much easier it would be if you didn't have to bother using a calling card from home at all.
Some carriers have an easy code you can use from your landline prior to dialing local and international long distance calls, which eliminates the need for a calling card altogether. Imagine, no fumbling around in your wallet or purse to find the card every time you need to make a call, and no bothering with prepayment or running out of minutes.
With an easily memorable series of numbers (series of 7 digits beginning with 1010), you can simply enter the 7 digit code prior to dialing the local or international long distance number you are trying to reach. To make it even easier, the 1010 carrier will simply add these calls onto the phone bill you already get from your regular local service provider, so that you only have one invoice with everything on it. This not only makes bill paying more convenient, but also enables you to see all your activity - local, long distance and international calls - in one place.
Of course, convenience is not the only consideration and it should not come at a price. After all, you want to make sure you are paying the lowest amount possible for your long distance and international calls on a regular basis. In addition, you want to avoid any hidden fees, minimum/maximum usage penalties, or connection charges that some carriers tack onto their prices.
In searching for the most competitive long distance international rates, you will need to consider your personal needs and actual calling habits. Do you make local or international long distance calls mainly to the same country or region all the time? Do you call many different countries worldwide? The rate per minute is the most critical consideration in choosing a local and international long distance service provider. Just a difference of a cent or two per minute on every call can add up to significant savings on your monthly phone bill.
You may prefer to select a telephone service provider that does not require a credit check or make you sign a contract for a long term commitment. Think about it: any carrier that offers great long distance rates and excellent customer service shouldn't need to rope consumers into a binding contract in the first place.
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