Long Distance Terms

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Telecommunications Terms

Billing Increments: All calls are measured in billing increments. Some companies bill you in 6 second increment and some in one minute increments. It varies by carrier. With a carrier that bills in one minute increments you would still pay for a full minute even if you only talked for 40 seconds.

Calling Card: A calling card allows you to make a call on the go. You dial in on an access number and use a personal PIN number to make calls.

Dial Around: A dial around plan allows you to make long distance calls at a cheaper rate without changing your carrier. You dial an access number to make calls.

Interstate Rates: State to state calling rates.

Intrastate Rates: In state calling rates.

VOIP: Voice over internet phone service is used to make long distance calls over your internet connection.

LEC: Local exchange carrier (your local phone company).

PIC Fee: A fee charged by some phone companies to switch carriers. This fee is usually $5.00- $10.00. A lot of companies that you switch to will reimburse you after you switch. Sometimes this is a small price to pay to save in the long run.

PIC Freeze: You can put a PIC freeze on your account so your long distance cannot be switched without your authorization. You can call your local carrier at anytime to remove the PIC freeze.