Small Business Need to Check Their Plan: Some plans have gone up, While others have gone down

WASHINGTON, DC -- If you are a small business and make a lot of long distance calls, you need to check your long distance calling plan now to make sure you are getting the best deal. That's the story from the new TeleTips(TM) Small Business Long Distance Comparison Chart released today by the Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC). TRAC is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC that has been comparing state-to-state long distance rates for consumers and small businesses since 1984.

"Long distance rates have fallen dramatically this past year for customers of ATT, MCI and Sprint, but have stayed the same or crept up for some of the smaller carriers," said Samuel A. Simon, Chair of TRAC. An ATT customer who spent $456.57 a month last year is paying only $396.04 this year for the exact same calls, according to the TRAC chart. By the same token, a Qwest Q Biz customer who spent $368.04 last year is paying $378.48 this year for the same calls, according to the TRAC chart.

TRAC's Small Business Long Distance Comparison Chart compares the leading small business plans from seven of the leading long distance providers. Along with a rate comparison, the TRAC chart provides a comparison of the major features and services offered by each long distance company and a detailed description of each of the calling plans.

The TRAC chart is available from TRAC for $7.00 and a stamped, self-addressed business size envelope ($.55 postage), from TRAC PO Box 27279, Washington, DC 20005. TRAC also sponsors a web site at http://www.trac.org.

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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.