BillSaver.com - Long distance

There are a number of plans that combine Unlimited Long Distance with your local phone service for one flat rate. This gives you the convenience of receiving just one bill for all your telephone needs with an opportunity to talk as long as you want anywhere in the country. In most cases, you receive some additional features at no additional cost. Here is the BillSaver analysis of the most trusted plans.

MCI "The Neighborhood" Unlimited Long Distance

The Neighborhood by MCI is $49.99 per month in most states (Plus fees and taxes. Monthly fee varies by state)

-Unlimited long distance calls
-Unlimited local toll calls
-Unlimited local calls
-One company, one bill
-Includes Call Waiting, Caller ID, Speed Dial, and 3 Way Calling
-Personal Voicemail & Message Center
-You may add unlimited HiSpeed Internet Service
-You may add unlimited calls to Canada
-Low rate calling card
-You may add additional phone lines

Our Opinion: The Neighborhood is the most well-known bundled plan. MCI was the first major carrier to bundle local and unlimited long distance with one bill and one monthly fee. The price starts at $49.99 in most states (only $39.99 in California) plus approximately $15 in surcharges and taxes. The Neighborhood plan provides unlimited local, regional and long distance calls, call waiting, caller ID, three-way calling, voicemail, and DSL options. Enroll in Rapid Rapid Rewards and earn points toward frequent flier miles on various airlines or Blockbuster rentals. This is a good plan for telephone users who spend over $60 per month for local and long distance service.

Z-Tel Unlimited Long Distance

Z-Tel As low as $49.95 per month (Plus fees and taxes. Monthly fee varies by state)

-Unlimited local calling
-Unlimited nationwide long distance calling
-Includes voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, speed dialing, find me call forwarding
-No cost to switch
-High calling card rate- 20 cents per minute
-High fees for additional lines. $25 for dial tone for each line + line access charges

Unlisted number fee- $2
Network Access Fee- $6.50
Estimated total taxes- $5.22 (USF fee $1.84, Sales Tax $2.13, Excise Tax 1.24)
Estimate monthly charge for Unlimited Plan with 1 line is $61.99 per month.
Widespread availability- 47 states

Our Opinion: If you have high local and long distance bills, that total over $60 each month, Z-Tel is a good choice for you. It is a straightforward bundled plan that provides unlimited local and long distance calls. With the popular features like voicemail, call waiting and caller id. High fees for additional lines, if you have multiple lines, compare the additional lines rates with your local carrier. High calling card rate- 20 cents per minute. Good international rates. Available in 47 states.

Talk America Unlimited Plus

Talk America Unlimited Plus Plan as low as $45.95 per month (Plus fees and taxes. Rate varies by state)

-Free member-to-member long distance
-3.9 cpm for all other interstate calls
-60 second billing increments
-Pick from a wide variety of features

11.5% USF fee
Network Access Fee- $6.00
Estimated Taxes- $9.00 (USF fee is 11.5%)

Our Opinion: Estimated charge for the plan with 1 line, fees and taxes is as low as $60.95. The long distance rate for interstate calls is good. However, the monthly fee is high because the package does not include the unlimited long distance. Very high USF fee- 11.5%. Full minute billing increments. Very good selection of features included: caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, custom toll restriction. Voicemail is additional $5.95 per month. High calling card rate- 24.9 cents per minute plus $1.25 per call surcharge. High international rates with standard plan. Pay $3.95 per month for lower international rates. Local carrier must be a regional bell operator or regional bell reseller. Keep same phone number. Available in 25 states.

Talk America United 1000

Talk America United 1000 As low as $22.95 (plus fees and taxes. Rate varies by state)

-1000 local minutes. 1 cent per minute after 1,000 minutes
-Free member-to-member long distance
-3.9 cpm for all other interstate calls
-60 second billing increments
-Pick from a wide variety of features

11.5% USF fee
Network Access Fee- $6.00
Estimated Taxes- $9.00 (USF fee is 11.5%)

Our Opinion: This is a good choice if you have a really high local bill and use less than 16 hours of local service. Estimated charge is as low as $37.95 (varies by state). The long distance rate for interstate calls is good. However it has very a high USF fee- 11.5% and full minute billing increments. Choose 3 features from a very good selection of features included: caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, custom toll restriction. Get unlimited features for additional $7.Voicemail is additional $5.95 per month. High calling card rate- 24.9 cents per minute plus $1.25 per call surcharge. High international rates with standard plan. Pay $3.95 per month for lower international rates. High rates for intraLATA (local toll). Local carrier must be a regional bell operator or regional bell reseller. Keep same phone number. Available in 25 states.

AT&T Unlimited

AT&T Unlimited $19.95 per month (Plus Fees and Taxes)

-Interstate, instate and intraLATA (local toll)
-Unlimited to long distance to other AT&T customers
-7 cents per minute for all other calls
-7 cents per minute for instate calls

USF fee- 11%

Our Opinion: This is a good plan if you make over 6 hours of calls per month to family members and friends who also have AT&T. Otherwise, look for a plan with less than 5 cents per minute. The rate for all other calls is high, 7 cents per minute. The instate rate is also 7 cpm which is a good deal if you live in a state like AZ, NM, KS, NC with high instate rate. Full minute billing increments. High USF fee- 11%. For some state there is an in-state connection charge of approximately $1.50. High calling card rate- $.25 cpm. Online billing is for residential subscribers only. Good international rates but pay a $2.95 monthly fee. Does not include local service.