FYI: For you or anyone you know that has the bundle phone plan, this may be of some interest. It talks about how much money the 'bundle plan' is really costing us. ----------------------------- Cut-rate phone plans can cost you a bundle By Gregory Karp The Morning Call Posted April 4 2005 "Where choice and competition exist in a marketplace, bargains abound. And few industries are as fiercely competitive as long- distance phone service. That competition has led to significantly lower rates in recent years and new ways of talking across the miles. That will remain true despite recently announced megamergers involving long-distance carriers AT&T and MCI. But today, consumers are being sucked in by heavily promoted phone plans that seem to be a bargain but actually can be more expensive. Many consumers are overspending on long-distance service by using new "bundled" plans, according to a study by the Telecommunications Research and Action Center. The industry secret: Unlike many other purchases, telecom services are often cheaper when bought a la carte. "Consumers are overbuying on telephone service to a greater extent than before," said Samuel A. Simon, founder and chairman of Telecommunications Research and Action Center. "While bundled packages appear attractive, for most consumers their value lies more in the convenience of having a single bill rather than as a true money-saver." A bundle refers to combining many of your telecommunications services with one company on one bill, sometimes for small discounts. For example, some companies are offering local and regional calling, long- distance and wireless phone services, as well as DSL Internet service and even satellite TV. Packages have such names as AT&T One Rate, MCI The Neighborhood, SBC Connections, Sprint Complete Sense and Verizon Freedom. Many bundles include unlimited long-distance. And that's where the problem lies. The average customer of nonbundled services spends $45.29 a month on home phone service, while bundled customers average $65.70, according to market research firm TNS Telecom. It turns out that only heavy users of long-distance, those who spend some five hours a month or more on long-distance phone calls, benefit from unlimited bundles, TRAC says. If you determine a bundle is overkill for your needs, consider these tips for trimming your long-distance phone costs:�" 1.Call your local phone company and cancel your bundle phone package. 2.Choose the basic local phone package from your local phone company. 3.Choose a discounted long distance carrier for you long distance service For example: www.blacklongdistance.com With reference code: M10008 News Article by: Gregory Karp is a personal finance writer for The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa., a Tribune Co. newspaper. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/S.QlOD/3MnJAA/Zx0JAA/f4IolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blackhollywood/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
