Choosing the RIGHT carrier...

Andiamo Telecom offers straight-forward, no-gimmick Long Distance services. When choosing a Long Distance company, be sure to ask the right questions and look for “hidden fees” within billing increments and FCC charges.

With ALL the promotions, gimmicks, and fine print, how do you know if you are getting the best deal, or getting ripped off? The following information will teach you the tips and tricks you need to know to make sure your telecom company is being honest with you.

Per Minute Costs

  • Billing Increments: Most companies bill in 6-second (1/10 of a minute) or full-minute billing. By choosing a company that charges in 6-second increments, you can save up to 20% on your Long Distance bill.
  • Beware of companies that have minimums on their minutes. Some companies actually charge a 3-minute minimum, per call, or even round up to in 3-minute increments. The average phone call is less than 3-minutes, this type of rounding can significantly increase you phone bill.
  • Companies that advertise 10-10 Dial-Around, often have low rates but high minimums.
  • "Billing Units: Watch out for companies who advertise very low rates, but the rates are per billing unit (and not per minute). A company who advertises 4 cents per billing unit, may bill in 30 second units, which equals 8 cents per minute.

Andiamo Telecom Bills in 6-Second Increments
No Minimum Call Duration

Monthly Fees

  • Most companies have a monthly fee, billing fee, or minimum usage charge. These charges vary largely between companies, and may even be per-call (especially when using 10-10 dial-around services).
  • If the charge is small, you are usually better off with a Minimum Usage charge, as you are only charged if your usage does not reach the Minimum Usage amount.
  • Andiamo charges a $2.95 MINIMUM USAGE charge (not a monthly service fee).
  • Because long distance margins are very low, this charge is necessary to cover the cost of bill printing and mailing for light users, but small enough that over 99% of long distance users will not see the charge at all.

Taxes, PICC and USF Charges:

  • PICC: (Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier Charge) is a charge that Long Distance companies pay Local (dialtone) companies to help recover local loop costs. These charges can very from company to company. You should request information on PICC charges prior to signing up for service:
  • Andiamo PICC Charges are pass-through only.
  • Residential Lines, Single-Line Business, Multi-Line Business, Centrex Business, & ISDN (PRI)

"Universal Service Fund" (USF):

  • All telecom companies are required to contribute the USF, which supports low-income telephone service, high cost of phone service in rural areas, schools and libraries, and rural healthcare. The rate charged to consumers may vary from company to company (some as high as 13%!).
  • Andiamo USF charges are pass-through only.

Other Hidden Charges:

  • Toll-Free Charges: Some companies apply a fee to have a toll-free number. Andiamo does not charge a monthly fee on these numbers.
  • Calling Card Surcharges: Always check for surcharges if you are going to use a calling card. Andiamo does not have a surcharge for their cards, just a per-minute charge (with the exception of payphone surcharges, passed on by the payphone company).