TRAC’s Chairman, Samuel A. Simon, is scheduled to appear on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brockow tonight, January 15, 2002.  The reporter will be Robert Hager and the topic will be the increase in long distance rates and fees.  The story is always subject to being delayed because of breaking-news.

        TRAC’s Chairman made the following suggestions for consumers on how to avoid the increase long distance costs:

·        Make sure you are on the right calling plan for your own usage. Call your current carrier and make sure that you are on the best rate plan for our calling habits.

·        Read the fine print.  Make sure you are not paying more than you need. For example, long distance companies now charge $1.50 a month if you get your long distance bill with your local phone bill.  Sign up for direct billing and save.

·        Consider “de-pic”.  If you don’t make a lot of phone calls, consider canceling your “dial-1” company, and making your long distance calls using 10-10 services or pre-paid calling cards. This can save you many of the hidden fees and charges.

·        Be careful in signing up for “frequent flyer” miles, some companies, like Sprint add a surcharge per-mile earned.

·        Get TRAC materials to make the search for the best plan easier:

o       TeleTips™ Residential Long Distance Chart. This compares all the major carriers and plans using a unique “shopping basket” method.  Charts can be ordered on-line, or by sending a check for $5.00 and stamped, self-addressed business size envelope to TRAC, BOX 27279, Washington, DC 2005

o       Go to TRAC’s web site and use WebPricer to compare the cost per-minute of different companies and plans.

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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.