Long distance comparison and reviews
Here are four of the best, cheapest discount long distance carriers that I have found: Pioneer Telephone, Telna, Opex, and Americom. These carriers are known for their excellent services and low 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 |
3.5/5 |
3/5 |
Review Rate |
2.7¢/min |
4.8¢/min |
2.7¢/min |
3.9¢/min |
Other Rate Plan Avail. |
3.25¢/min |
- |
- |
2.9¢/min |
These are state-to-state rates. In-state long distance rates (the rate for long distance calls inside your state) vary for each state. Special Notes: Pioneer - Only 1.9¢/min to other Pioneer users. The 3.25¢/min rate has lower in-state rates. Telna - Uses one second billing increments, so rate is lower than it appears. |
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Billing Units |
60 sec |
1 sec |
6 sec |
6 sec |
| Small billing units (increments) are better, because the length of a call is rounded to the nearest unit. With Telna you only pay for the exact length of a call, so you'll save lots if you make frequent, short calls. | ||||
Min Call |
60 sec |
1 sec |
18 sec |
18 sec |
Monthly |
None |
None |
$2.00* |
99¢ |
| Pioneer - 99¢ if you request a billing statement in the mail and have less than $15 of usage for the month. Telna - 99¢ if you request a billing statement in the mail. Opex* - $1.99 if you receive a billing statement in the mail plus the $2 minimum usage fee (above) which is waived if you have at least $20 of usage for the month. Americom - 99¢ "network access charge" is just another name for a monthly fee. | ||||
| USF Fee | The Universal Service Fund (USF) is charged by every long distance carrier. The money goes to subsidize the cost of phone services for low income customers. The amount varies each quarter and currently stands at 11.4 percent (08/2008). | |||
International Rates / Alaska and Hawaii |
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Int'l |
Australia 5.9¢ Brazil 6.9¢ Canada 3.9¢ Chile 4.9¢ China 4.9¢ France 4.5¢ Germany 4.5¢ Greece 4.9¢ India 11.9¢ Indo 6.9¢ Iran 19.9¢ Iraq 39.9¢ Israel 4.9¢ Italy 4.9¢ Japan 5.9¢ Malaysia 5.9¢ Mexico 4.9¢ Nigeria 23.9¢ 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 4.8¢ Indo 5.9¢ Iran 16.9¢ Iraq 9.9¢ Israel 4.8¢ Italy 4.8¢ Japan 4.8¢ Malaysia 4.8¢ Mexico 4.8¢ Nigeria 12.9¢ Philipp 15.9¢ Poland 4.8¢ Russia 4.8¢ Sing 4.8¢ S Africa 7.9¢ S Korea 4.8¢ Spain 4.8¢ Taiwan 4.8¢ Thai 4.8¢ UK 4.8¢ |
Australia 6¢ Brazil 13.9¢ Canada 6¢ Chile 6¢ China 8.9¢ France 6¢ Germany 8¢ Greece 7.4¢ India 23¢ Indo 9¢ Iran 20¢ Iraq 62¢ Israel 7¢ Italy 6¢ Japan 7¢ Malaysia 8¢ Mexico 6.5¢ Nigeria 16¢ Philipp 43¢ Poland 7.9¢ Russia 6¢ Sing 5¢ S Africa 13¢ S Korea 7¢ Spain 5.5¢ Taiwan 6¢ Thai 10¢ UK 6¢ |
Australia 5.9¢ Brazil 6.9¢ Canada 7.9¢ Chile 7.9¢ China 5.9¢ France 5.9¢ Germany 5.9¢ Greece 8.9¢ India 5.1¢ Indo 10.9¢ Iran 16.9¢ Iraq 6.4¢ Israel 8.9¢ Italy 5.9¢ Japan 7.9¢ Malaysia 6.9¢ Mexico 7.9¢ Nigeria 31.9¢ Philipp 23.9¢ Poland 9.9¢ Russia 6.9¢ Sing 5¢ S Africa 13¢ S Korea 7¢ Spain 5.9¢ Taiwan 7.9¢ Thai 16.9¢ UK 5.9¢ |
| The lowest rate for each country is marked in bold. Some countries have higher rates when calling a cell phone. The rates above may change by the time you see this page, 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). Special Note: Telna offers an access number so you can get the same low international rates using a cell phone. | ||||
| Save on international cell phone calls - Sign up with Telna to get the following cheap rates from the USA using your cell phone: Australia: 3.8¢, Canada: 3.8¢, China: 3.8¢, France: 3.8¢, Germany: 3.8¢, India: 3.8¢, Japan - Tokyo: 3.8¢, Mexico: 6.9¢, Peru - Lima: 3.8¢, UK: 3.8¢. |
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Alaska |
6.9¢ |
4.8¢ |
23¢ |
16.9¢ |
Hawaii |
6.9¢ |
4.8¢ |
23¢ |
16.9¢ |
Incoming Toll Free Numbers and Rates (Optional) |
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Toll Free |
99¢ |
99¢ |
$2.00 |
$2.99 |
Toll Free |
Same rates |
Same rates |
Same rates |
Same rates |
Setup |
Free |
Free |
Free |
Free |
Canada |
5.9¢ |
4.8¢ |
26.1¢ |
8¢ |
Alaska Rate |
39¢ |
4.8¢ |
36.8¢ |
16.9¢ |
Hawaii |
26¢ |
4.8¢ |
24.5¢ |
16.9¢ |
Call |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| 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. Telna lets you route toll free calls to any phone or cell phone worldwide. Americom - Offers a 2.9¢/min rate if you refer three new customers. | ||||
Billing and Account Management Options |
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Online |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Billing |
Auto billing to credit card |
Auto billing to credit card |
Auto billing to credit card |
Check or credit card |
Toll Free |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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 |
n/a |
n/a |
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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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