Call your long-distance service provider for explanations if you are confused or don't understand something. The caller, not you, determines the long-distance carrier when you accept a collect call. This fee is the same no matter how many long-distance calls are made. Many standard calling plans now have monthly service fees or monthly minimum usage charges. But there are economical plans that do not contain monthly fees.
Many carriers make up for low per-minute rates with monthly fees.
High long-distance call volumes or call durations can make plans with monthly fees favorable for customers, if used wisely. Geographic Restrictions Make sure that advertised long-distance rates are available for areas you would be calling frequently. Calls between states are interstate calls and calls within a state are intrastate calls. If you do not make many long-distance calls, finding a plan that does not have a monthly minimum is one of the surest ways to recognize immediate savings. Calling Cards Telephone companies issue calling cards, which are essentially credit cards to be used for long-distance service.