Asking Advice on Telephone Charges

[sarah]

I have been wondering about my telephone internet bill lately. Specifically I'd like to know if it seems high to otehr people. I'd also like some advice on lowering it.

I pay $67.00 a month for a land line and broadband internet this includes a wire insurcance fee in case something goes wrong with the wiring in my house.

I also pay between 35 and 35 dollars for long distance charges. 25 of this is a package through smart communications that includes 1200 minutes a month which I sometimes exceed. Hence the 25 occasional bills.

I can't get cell phone reception where I live. Also I can't seem to figure out how ot get broadband internet without going through my local telephone company which requires a land line subcription. I'd love to get vonage but can't figure out how?

Any suggestions?

[tinapbeana]

used to work for a phone company, so i have a few questions:

1. who is your carrier and what state do you live in?
2. what features do you have on the line other than inside wire insurance?
3. you said your plan includes 1200 min of LD, but that you sometimes go over. how many minutes do you go over?
4. do you pay for extended area calling (something that let's you call, say 2-3 counties over without having to pay a per minute rate)?
5. are most of your LD calls instate or out of state?
6. this may seem intrusive but there is a reason for it: are you or is anyone is your household currently on any state or federal assistance programs?

[sarah]

Let's see if I can answer at least some of these questions.

My local carrier and my only choice is CenturyTel.

I live in Southwestern Wisconsin

The only feature I have on the line beside wire insurance is call waiting which is inlcuded in every CenturyTel land line. I do not pay extra for it. All other conveniences have been removed.

My long distance carrier is Smart Communications. It requires I dial an access number. This is the first month I have gone over my 1200 minute limit. It used to be unlimited long distance for 25 a month which I was happy with but they initiated a 1200 minute limit. I'm watching minutes this month

No I don't pay nfor extended area calling. Any call that requires a long distance number I use Smart Communications for .

95% of my long distance calls are out of state usually to only one number. I also make 2 or 3 calls instate a week also to only one number.

I didn't find these questions intrusive at all and I thank you for your interest.

[tinapbeana]

well, the LD rate thru smart communications is just over 2cents/min which is about as good as you're going to find if you can't get onto an unltd LD plan.

you're in wisconsin & can't get ameritech/SBC? there are pockets in that area that are service by smaller carriers, which unfortunately lends to no competition =/ $67 for a landline & DSL isn't a bad price if that is including you taxes & surcharges, but you might want to see if the phone co offers something like DSL lite: still high speed, just not quite as fast as regular DSL.

vonage requires to to have highspeed on some sort, which either means DSL (which keeps you paying for a landline like you are now) or cable internet. is cable internet available in your area?

i asked if you or anyone were on an assistance program because most states offer a phone assitance program called lifeline (sometimes called TAP), which offers reduced pricing on your line. some states also have it set-up so you can qualify based on a certain income level rather than participating in an existing assistance program.

[sarah]

Thank you for your time. No one here is on assistanced. no unfortnately I can't get Ameritech or SBC? I live in one of those pockets and there is no competition.

[tinapbeana]

you might want to call your phone company and ask what the lifeline criteria are in your state, just to cover the bases.

other than that, i'm sorry i can't be of more help... good luck!

[sarah]

Thank You