Long distance comparison and reviews
Here are three of the best, cheapest discount long distance carriers that I have found: Pioneer Telephone, 3U Telecom, and CogniWorld. These carriers are known for their excellent services and the rock bottom phone rates in the USA and international. Click on any carrier's name to learn more and sign up securely online.
Service Plans, Rates and Fees |
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Rating |
5/5 |
5/5 |
3/5 |
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Review Rate |
3.25¢/min |
4.8¢/min |
3.49¢/min |
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Other Rate |
2.7¢/min |
- |
- |
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These are state-to-state rates. In-state long distance rates vary depending on where you live. Pioneer - Only 1.9¢/min to other Pioneer users. The 2.7¢/min rate is billed in 60 sec increments, so the two rates are similar in actual use. 3U Telecom - Uses one second billing increments, so rate is lower than it appears. |
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Billing Units |
6 sec |
1 sec |
6 sec |
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| Small billing units (increments) are better. The length of a call is rounded to the nearest unit. With 3U Telecom you only pay for the exact length of a call, so you'll save lots if you have frequent, short calls. CogniWorld has 6 sec increments for domestic calls and 30 sec billing increments for int'l calls. ZoneLD has varying billing units for int'l calls (6 sec to 60 sec) depending on the country. | ||||
Min Call |
6 sec |
1 sec |
6 sec |
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Monthly |
None |
None |
None |
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| Pioneer - 99¢ if you request a billing statement in the mail if you have less than $15 of usage for the month. 3U Telecom - 99¢ if you request a billing statement in the mail. CogniWorld - $1.99 if you request a billing statement in the mail and have less than $20 for the month. | ||||
Taxes |
10.2% USF 3% Fed Tax |
10.2% USF 3% Fed Tax |
10.2% USF 3% Fed Tax |
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More |
None |
None |
None |
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| "Other fees" include various charges carriers add without actually calling them monthly fees. In fact, they are "monthly fees" under a different name. | ||||
International Rates / In-State Rates / Alaska and Hawaii |
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Int'l |
Australia 5.9¢ Brazil 6.9¢ Canada 5.9¢ Chile 4.9¢ China 4.9¢ France 4.5¢ Germany 4.5¢ Greece 4.9¢ India 20.9¢ Indo 6.9¢ Iran 19.9¢ Israel 4.9¢ Italy 4.9¢ Japan 5.9¢ Malaysia 5.9¢ Mexico 17.9¢ Nigeria 10.9¢ Philipp 22.9¢ Poland 5.9¢ Russia 4.5¢ Sing 4.9¢ S Africa 12.5¢ S Korea 5.9¢ Spain 4.9¢ Taiwan 5.5¢ Thail 5.9¢ UK 4.9¢ |
Australia 4.8¢ Brazil 4.8¢ Canada 4.8¢ Chile 4.8¢ China 4.8¢ France 4.8¢ Germany 4.8¢ Greece 4.8¢ India 13.9¢ Indo 5.9¢ Iran 13.9¢ Israel 4.8¢ Italy 4.8¢ Japan 4.8¢ Malaysia 4.8¢ Mexico 4.8¢ Nigeria 8.9¢ Philipp 19.9¢ Poland 4.8¢ Russia 4.8¢ Sing 4.8¢ S Africa 9.9¢ S Korea 4.8¢ Spain 4.8¢ Taiwan 4.8¢ Thai 6.9¢ UK 4.8¢ |
Australia 5.9¢ Brazil 5.7¢ Canada 9¢ Chile 6.9¢ China 8.9¢ France 5.9¢ Germany 6.3¢ Greece 8.5¢ India 25¢ Indo 9.4¢ Iran 21.7¢ Israel 6.7¢ Italy 5.5¢ Japan 6.8¢ Malaysia 6.8¢ Mexico 10¢ Nigeria 15.3¢ Philipp 42.8¢ Poland 8.8¢ Russia 4.3¢ Sing 4.8¢ S Africa 11.9¢ S Korea 13.6¢ Spain 5¢ Taiwan 6¢ Thai 10¢ UK 5.5¢ |
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| The lowest rate for each country is marked in bold. The rates may change, so confirm when signing up. Some rates depend on the city you are calling. For this comparison, I have used: Brazil (Sao Paulo), India (Bombay), Indonesia (Jakarta), Mexico (Mexico City), Nigeria (Lagos), Russia (Moscow), Thailand (Bangkok). 3U Telecom offers an access number so you can get the same low international rates using your cell phone. | ||||
Alaska |
12¢ |
4.8¢ |
12.6¢ |
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Hawaii |
12¢ |
4.8¢ |
9.5¢ |
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Incoming Toll Free Numbers and Rates (Optional) |
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Toll Free |
99¢ |
99¢ |
$1.50 |
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Toll Free |
Same rates |
Same rates |
Same rates |
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Free |
- |
- |
- |
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Setup |
Free |
Free |
Free |
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Canada |
5.9¢ |
4.8¢ |
9¢ |
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Alaska Rate |
39¢ |
4.8¢ |
12.6¢ |
|
Hawaii |
26¢ |
4.8¢ |
9.5¢ |
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Call |
No |
Yes |
No |
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| Adding a toll free number for personal or business reasons is both simple and cheap. The rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada refer to incoming calls from those locations. 3U Telecom lets you route toll free calls to any phone or cell phone worldwide. | ||||
Billing and Account Management Options |
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Online |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Billing |
Auto billing to credit card |
Auto billing to credit card |
Auto billing to credit card |
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Toll Free |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Sign up |
Long distance carriers must follow a 3-step process to switch your service over. First, you sign up online. Second, they must verify that you really intended to switch providers. Only then can they switch your service. After signing up you should receive an email with instructions. Read the email and make sure the verification gets completed without delay. By the way, the carriers will not charge any fee for switching your service, but your local phone company may add an administrative charge to your bill for that. |
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Sign Up |
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Review |
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Important: You are responsible to read each provider's "Terms of Service" and verify information in this comparison. Rates, terms, and other details are always subject to change, and I cannot guarantee any of the details above will be accurate at the time when you read this page. |
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