Long distance carrier (analog, not Voice over IP)

[gerti]

A long time ago long distance carriers where discussed here. Several people recommended ZoneLD, and we used it ever since. But lately their prices went up, and at the same time their international call quality went way down. Last straw is that the billing system sometimes breaks down and doesn't let you check your call detail records.

So we are looking for a new carrier. Preferably no fixed monthly charge, good proces and decent quality to call my family in Germany. We do not use the phone all that much these days.

I'd prefer a carrier for the 'regular' phone. VoIP is nice, but we sometimes have long-duration power outages and neither of us has a cell phone.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

Gerd

[parnelli]

I know you've specifically said not voip so I'll keep it brief since I don't have any help for you in regards to ld carriers.

I do know a few folks who have both systems. They use their voip for long and international, and they have a regular phone for local and/or backup purposes. If the power is out one of them reverts to a pre paid calling card for that day if needed.

That said, it only saves money if you're already paying for high speed internet. If your're on dial-up any cost savings go out the window.

I'll duck back out now.

[newbie2wood]

Unitel is pretty good. There are no monthly fees if your total usage is more than $15, otherwise its only $2.00. I think calls to Germany is 9 cents/minute. Calls are billed in 6 second increments.

http://unitellongdistance.com/
________
VOLCANO VAPORIZER

[alpha]

Long Distance rates

Rates vary from state to state and carrier to carrier. The best site I have found to sort out long distance rates is:

http://abtolls.com/compare/interstat...es/dayrate.htm

A lot depends on how many calls you make. Some by actual 6 second increments. Others charge for a full minute. So sort out the details and see what is best for your type of usage.

Bob

[L. D. Jeffries]

Been using "QUEST" for about 3 yrs now. Cheap and trouble free, so far. Calls to the UK are 5 cents per min. just as an example.

[jziegler]

I know the name is stupid, but look at Kiss LD. http://www.kissld.com.

I've been using them for a couple years, and have been happy with them. Montlhy fee is $3, out of state calls are $0.03. International rates are good too. In state rates vary from state to state depending on regulations and the like. Same as out of state in NJ.

The other thing is that sometimes if someone references your account when they sign up, they wave the fee. PM me if you want to sign up and save me a couple bucks a month.

Jim

[Joe Lyddon]

I have been using this for over a year now... I like it a lot!
You can use it from any phone with an 800# (at 2.9 cents/min) or you can use a local# (at 2.5 cents/min. and you can setup rapid dial numbers too!)
Check it out! For as low as 2.5 cents per minutes, OneSuite.com lets you call anywhere in the continental US at anytime! You can even save more on international calls!

https://www.onesuite.com/029L27411/suitetreat

Get some FREE minutes to get started too...

It's like a phone card... you prepay... you can see your calling history any time... It's really COOL... They're getting into other fancy things too... but we're just not interested in them.

Edit:
They are just adding the option of having VOIP too... if you like it...
I just checked the rate to Germany from your local phone area, looks like $.03/min!! Hope it's not a typo... looks too cheap to me...

[gerti]

Thanks for all the tips!

Gerd

[Joe Lyddon]

Thanks for all the tips!

Gerd

Hey Gerd,

Let us know what you go with and why... OK?

Thank you...

[Tom Slick]

I've been using GTC Telecom for about 5 years. they are a straight $.05 per min, no fee if you do online billing. that's for any time and anywhere in the US. I don't know what their overseas rate is. I have zero complaints about them.

[gerti]

Hey Gerd,

Let us know what you go with and why... OK?

Probably just sticking with ZoneLD for the time being, and maybe try Skype Out for international. I have tried OneSuite for international calls before, but they had really poor capacity. On holidays the lines were frequently busy, and giving their dialing sequence trying often is not that fun.

Gerd

[scorrpio]

We use CableVision's Optimum Voice for all national calling (it's VoIP), but for calling International, my wife uses calling cards we order online from www.kievstar.com - although at present there seems to be a problem with their site. I think that rates with major Russian ands European cities are just over 1c per minute, but not sure.

[Joe Lyddon]

Probably just sticking with ZoneLD for the time being, and maybe try Skype Out for international. I have tried OneSuite for international calls before, but they had really poor capacity. On holidays the lines were frequently busy, and giving their dialing sequence trying often is not that fun.

Gerd

Gerd, very good... Thank you...

Incidently, with OneSuite you can setup a list for RapidDial with 2 digit numbers assigned to your people... then, when you want to call, once you have dialed the first number, it will ask you what phone# you want to dial... then, all you do is key a 2 digit # and it's done! You have to have your phone # available to Caller ID. Works great & saves all that button pushing!

Thank you for the feedback!