Long Distance Rates - a thing of the past?
If you watch television often enough, you may have noticed in the past months an increase in some advertising statements such as, "Unlimited Long Distance!" or "Pay one Flat Rate and talk all you want" or for cell phone owners, "Free Long Distance Plan", the latter being one of the most popular (and to me one of the most misinterpreted) current options. But who searches for these types of plans, or who might benefit from having "unlimited long distance"? Certainly not our average caller who, only has a $10 to $20 charge for their toll call each month. Why? Because the unlimited or flat rate plans typically charge a monthly fee of anywhere from $30 to $50 per month for their usage (not counting the Federal and State taxes, fees, and surcharges). The same goes for the free long distance portion of most cellular plans offered today. Let me just say this again, as I tell many of my clients, "if you chose your cell phone plan because it offers FREE long distance but you still pay monthly for your account, how is that free"? I mean, unless your wireless plan is completely free, then it isn't free long distance!No, these plans only benefit the residential user who:
a. Has toll call billing in the $60 to $100 rangeb. Makes no or very few international callsc. Calls mostly within the continental United States (not including Alaska or Hawaii)d. Has no need for a physical phone line for faxes or internet accesse. Or have no worry that their power will ever go out, and their cell phone battery lasts forever.Long distance rates a thing of the past? Sorry, but no. Because as long as there are still the average callers who have medium to small phone bills, or business callers who rely on line quality, dedicated service, and business features, then there will be a place for the standard long distance service in one form or another. And the good news is that we as the consumers are the winners in the rate race, because the unlimited plans are forcing standard long distance companies to offer lower and lower rates. And what is it that people are trying to avoid by choosing one of the above choices for their long distance service? A high phone bill.
So, how does this help you? Right now, right where you are, take 30 seconds and think about what kind of caller you are. Are you really that high volume caller that you thought you were? or is your calling pattern more inline with the standard type with a below $50 long distance bill each month, with the occasional excursion to the $60 and above. Your answer will tell you if you should move onto a plan to cover those higher call volumes or you should stay with long distance service with low rates...still a thing of the present, and the future.
Author: Greg Hicks
Communication Value
www.communicationvalue.com
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