Long Distance Policy

Long distance service includes calls placed by dialing 1+ area code + number, or by dialing “around” your primary carrier, by dialing 101xxxx +1+area code + number to numbers outside of your local calling area. Long distance calls falling within your “LATA” are called “IntraLATA” calls. Calls placed to numbers in other LATAs are “InterLATA” calls.

When you establish local telephone service, you advise your local carrier of your selection of carriers for long distance. You may select a single carrier for both InterLATA and IntraLATA calling, or you may select different carriers. You may normally change your carriers one time without fee during the first 30 days after your local service is activated. Changes after that are subject to a $5 order processing charge for each change of your PIC and a separate $5 order processing charge for each change of your LPIC.

Your local telephone service is subject to charges by your local carrier for local service, and may also be subject to charges for “access” to the long distance networks of other companies. Currently, residential lines are not subject to access charges, but business lines are subject to an access charge of $1.54. This charge will be collected by your local phone company, or their facilities-based supplier, from your “Primary Interexchange Carrier” (PIC). If you select “No PIC”, your local phone company will collect this charge as part of your local service. Some long distance carriers absorb this charge into an overall “Plan Charge”. Others pass it through at exactly the same rate that the local company charges them. Either way, you will be charged. The fact that you choose not to use long distance service does not allow you to avoid the charge. It simply shifts the charge from your Long Distance bill to your local bill.