How
To Obtain Local Phone Service
Each city
or town used to have its own local phone company. Now local service
for large cities is offered primarily by traditionally long-distance
companies like SBC and Bell South and other integrated telecommunications
companies like Verizon and Quest. Both local and long-distance companies
offer special features like call-waiting, call-forwarding and caller-id,
as well as other types of communications services including internet,
paging and wireless services.
Primary
local phone companies for major cities and states:
Miami - Bell South - 1-800-753-0710 (8 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
-
California - SBC - 1-800-310-2355 (8 a.m. - 6 p.m. est M-F; 8:30-5 Sat.)
-
New York - Verizon - 1-800-621-9900 (8 a.m. - 6 p.m. est)
-
For other cities you may dial "411" and get information for the phone company. Or, find the number of the local phone company at the front of the local "phone book" in the Yellow Pages directory or the White Pages directory.
If calling
long distance, dial 1-800-555-1212 for the toll-free information service
and give the name of the city and ask for the number of the local phone
company - residential or business customer service.
Cost: Phone service typically costs $10-12 per month for basic service, plus a fee for long-distance. Other types of plans are available for low-income residents or those who make many local toll calls each month. Ask for information about the different plans available.
The phone
company will sell you a phone or you can buy one from an electronics
store.
If you
want to make long-distance calls, you will need to sign up for long-distance
service.
Services in Major Metropolitan Areas:
However now there are many choices:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_telephone_companies
Residential (Home) Phone Service Choices:
http://www.movearoo.com/home-connections/home-phone.html
http://www.connectmyphone.com/
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/ults.htm
!
Remember
to contact your local phone company about your new plan to avoid being
charged the (often exorbitant) full rate (up to $2.00 a minute) for
long distance service. If your plan does not include international service,
you may be charg
!
Check
your phone bill each month for mistaken charges or overcharges.
Some long-distance phone companies engage in the disreputable practice
of "slamming," or switching your long distance service to
theirs without your permission or knowledge.
!
Avoid
"voice-mail hell" - when you call the phone company, you
may be asked to choose from a menu of options. If you do not recognize
any of these options, you can often press the star "*" key
or "0" to be connected with an operator. If this doesn't work,
choose the "customer sales" option and you can ask them to
connect you with the right department.
Cellphones
Both local and long-distance companies, as well as wireless providers, now offer reasonably priced cellphone packages (often including a free phone). These can cost as low as $40 per month plus any extra charges that may for calling outside the prescribed area (roaming charges).
!
If
considering a cellphone purchase, make sure you understand all the costs
involved. Some companies' per minute charges can be prohibitive, whether
you make the call or receive it.
For more
consumer information about cellphones, click here: http://www.wisinfo.com/technology/cell.html
