There are many new long distance companies that are promoting low rates through direct mail and telemarketing. Many sound too good to be true and, in fact, are. If you read the fine print, you may find that there are monthly access charges and monthly minimums required for such low rates. TRAC has also come across a number of companies that require a minimum duration per call. For example, one brochure's fine print read that there was a 3-minute minimum on all calls. Callers that make a one-minute call under such a plan are actually being charged for three minutes. These charges and fees can add up and only the high-end long distance use will save money under these calling plans. 

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