Understanding Your Long Distance Provider

Many telecommunications companies offer long distance phone
service. But before you sing on the dotted line for their
service you need to understand the basics of long distance
phone calls and which company best suites you.

Once you switch long distance providers, it will take
several days to activate your service. Your service will
only be activated on the one particular line and not on any
of your cell phones. Once the service is activated, you
can make direct long distance calls from only that phone
line.

Prepaid calling cards provide you with instant long
distance. Calling cards work with any touch tone phone and
an access number and authorization code (PIN) needs to be
dialed before each long distance call.

The most reliable long distance service is the switched
service which is generally the service on your home or
business phone. This service uses a different technology
for establishing a connection to your destination number
but the service is usually a little higher than those of
calling cards.

Many online companies use Third Party Verification (TPV) as
an electronic signature when signing up to switch your long
distance provider online. This will automatically record
your permission to switch the service.

It normally takes 3-4 business days to activate your new
service depending on your local phone company. Many
companies will issue a 700 test number for you to dial to
check that your services have been activated.

Once the service is set up on your line, you will be dialing
directly. You will keep your local phone company, but you
will be receiving a separate bill for your long distance
calls.

Toll free numbers are normally used by businesses to allow
their customers to call them at no cost to the customer.

A basic knowledge of what long distance providers offer can
help you in choosing a service that meets your needs.