How to Shop for the Best Business Long Distance Rates

Picking out a good business long distance plan for voice communications is an important aspect of your telecommunications strategy no matter which way you look at it. The larger your calling volume, the more every cent counts towards your bottom line for your everyday operations. With that said, calling rates can become very taxing on your business.  Whether you are switching your business long distance phone service or seeking an entire new technology to deploy your voice service needs, these tips will help your business save on it’s everyday calling expenses well into the future if payed attention to each time you change providers.

Watch Out for Minimums
Some business long distance service plans offer what is called a monthly minimum plan. While this can save you some money when meeting the requirements, not meeting the requirements can start to add up on your bill. Depending on the carrier, you can expect to see a monthly fee added to your bill if you do not meet the minimum monthly requirements. Worse yet, some providers may even charge your bill in full to the minimum requirement!
Check the Billing Increments
Billing increments are the one part of a business long distance plan that can add some weight to your bill. The most popular billing increments tend to be 30 and 60 second, however you will want to find the lowest increments possible to save your business in the long term so finding a 6 second billing increment is vital.

Intralata Rates

An advertised rate usually will be the Interlata (state-to-state) long distance billing. Many time the Intralata rates will be higher by up to 4 cents per minute. Make sure to check the Intralata rates before choosing your business long distance service provider.
International Long Distance
International calling rates are traditionally known as a high cost long distance expense in respect to business calls. If you frequently call a set of countries be sure to find out the rates, increments, connection fees, and monthly fees for international calling. Everything reviewed in the other tips should be applied to your international rates as well as the costs to call mobile phones overseas, which on average can be triple the normal international per minute rate.
Review the Fine Print
While per minute rates are appetizing for any penny pinching goals, additional fees can apply. Be sure to read the fine print and look for these fees or you may find yourself paying more for than what you had previously planned for … not good for a monthly telecom budget. This may include set up fees, monthly maintenance fees cancellation fees, and the following two above this tip.
Signing Contracts
While signing a contract by many is considered a no no, signing a contract is not always a bad thing. What is important is that you negotiate your contract. The more minutes you use a month, the more chance you have at getting an altered contract. Before signing make sure that the QoS (Quality of Service), the termination fees, and the rates are all understood or negotiated. If your provider for instance does not perform outstandingly in their provided services, make sure the contract states you can leave without paying a hefty fee. Just as important, make sure your per minute rates will be locked for the term of that contract.

Toll-Free Numbers Rates
If  you have a toll free number already then make sure you understand the rates that will be applied to your toll free services. Applicable rates would include payphone calls, billing increments, monthly maintenance fees, and of course the per minute rate. Knowing these costs will help keep away any surprises in your long distance bill. Do not sign the responsible organization form until you have have informed yourself of the costs.