New Web Site Helps Consumers Decide: "Which Long Distance Company is Cheapest?"
Free Service is Just in Time For New Long Distance Rate Changes Slated For July
Washington, DC -- The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC) today announced its new Web site featuring an Internet pricing tool to aid consumers in deciding which long distance calling plan will save them the most money. Located on the TRAC homepage, www.trac.org, WebPricer™ , produced in association with Salestar, will offer a simple way for consumers to compare the rates of five of the largest long distance companies on specific calls they make.
WebPricer™ is an unprecedented step forward in helping consumers compare rates of large long distance phone companies. Consumers who wish to take advantage of the newest long distance rates due to be implemented July 1st in response to a recent FCC decision on access fees will find WebPricer™ the ideal tool. Some long distance companies are expected to pass on the savings to consumers by lowering their rates. Consumers should review their long distance bills in July to make sure they are getting the lowest rates available.
"Which long distance company is cheapest? Today's consumer needs cutting edge tools to find out," explains TRAC Counsel Samuel A. Simon. "WebPricer™ simplifies the search for the best value by doing the computing for you. Smart consumers can save up to 30% on their long distance calling by using WebPricer™ to help them check out the plans."
TRAC gathers the information used by WebPricer™ from long distance phone tariffs filed at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This information is the only official source for consumers and consumer groups to learn about the rate changes made by the long distance phone companies.
WebPricer™ is a free service jointly provided by TRAC, a nonprofit consumer group that has tracked long distance prices since 1984, and Salestar, a San Francisco-based company providing long distance phone comparison software and databases to telecommunications companies. TRAC's Web site also provides consumers with valuable, money saving tips on such subjects as "slamming," prepaid calling cards, and dial-around numbers. The site is the only publicly-sponsored, independent consumer tool of its kind.
WebPricer™ uses the latest Java technology and requires a Java capable browser, such as Netscape 3.1, 4.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02, with a 32-bit operating system (Windows 95 or Mac O/S). Consumers without Internet access can learn about long distance savings by ordering TRAC's Tele-Tips™ Long Distance Comparison Chart that compares 35 calling plans. To order Tele-Tips™, send $5 and a self-addressed, stamped ($0.55) business-sized envelope to: TRAC / P.O. Box 27279 / Washington, DC 20005. TRAC also publishes a Tele-Tips™ Comparison Chart for small businesses, available for $7.00 from the same address.
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For more information, contact: Geoff Mordock
Samuel A. Simon
(202) 408-1130
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MEDIA CONTACT:
John Breyault, TRAC, johnb@trac.org, 202-263-2943
ABOUT TRAC:
The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC), founded in 1983, is a non-profit membership organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the interests of residential telecommunications customers. TRAC staff researches telecommunications issues and publishes rate comparisons to help consumers make informed decisions regarding their long distance and local phone service options. TRAC can be found on the web at http://www.trac.org.
