Free online tool compares rates for long distance
By Peter Lewis
Seattle Times consumer-affairs reporter
January 13, 2003
Consumers looking for the best long-distance deal can get free online advice through a nifty "phone calculator."
Available through January from Consumer Reports, the online tool allows consumers to compare residential long-distance plans available in their area by providing their area code and first three digits of their telephone number.
The phone calculator can be accessed at: consumerreports.telebright.com/consumerreportsLd.htm.
The calculator also helps consumers determine their monthly long-distance costs for each provider listed. That's achieved by entering an estimate of the number of state-to-state minutes and of in-state long distance into the appropriate boxes. Everything except taxes is taken into consideration, including federally mandated charges and billing increments.
The Web site also provides consumers with information and tips on how to decide if a "bundle" package would work for them. Services such as long distance, local service, DSL and wireless often are offered in bundles that may make sense for some consumers.
An added bonus: If consumers see a deal they like, Consumer Reports and its partner, TeleBright, a Rockville, Md., business that analyzes telecommunications services and plans, will take care of arrangements to switch service to the chosen carrier at no charge.
Consumer Reports deputy editor David Heim said some Web sites that appear to present an unbiased comparison of long-distance providers are sometimes sponsored by one of the phone companies themselves. He cited, for example, longdistanceratefinder.com, which is run by Conigen, a phone company.
Patrick McGugan, TeleBright's vice president of operations, acknowledged his company has a business relationship with some of the long-distance companies listed on the "phone calculator" Web site.
He insisted, however, that the compensation arrangement in no way affects ratings.
McGugan said TeleBright uses an eight-point checklist to help decide whether to include companies on the list.
The criteria include checks with the Better Business Bureau; the Federal Communication Commission's consumer-complaint scorecard; industry publications; a review of financial documents; and a company's willingness to answer questions about itself and keep TeleBright apprised of its rate changes.
The calculator has other limits: Some rate plans are too complex and don't lend themselves to the calculator's online-display limitations, McGugan said. Similarly, in order to keep the calculator manageable, it was necessary to restrict the number of listings, he said.
Still, the Web site has a link that invites visitors to submit the names of long-distance providers they think should be listed.
The February 2003 edition of Consumer Reports magazine features others stories about long-distance and wireless service, available online at no charge through this month at www.consumerreports.org.
The calculator still will be available online after Jan. 31 but to paid online subscribers only.
Peter Lewis: 206-464-2217 or plewis@seattletimes.com.
Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company
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