To find cheap long distance service you first must know where to look.

Just like many other things in life, finding cheap long distance service is much easier if you know where to look. Fortunately, there are many good informational websites on the internet, like this one, that are there to help consumers make good informed decisions about their long distance calling needs. The first thing you want to look at when considering a cheap long distance service is the long distance rate. In most parts of the country you should be able to find a rate under 5¢ per minute.

The next thing to consider is the calling increment. Some long distance carriers bill calls in full minute increments, and others bill them in 6 second increments. If you are being billed in full minute increments, and you place a call 6 seconds in length, you will be billed for a full minute. If you are being billed in 6 second increments, you would be billed for 1/10 of a minute.

The next thing to look at is the minimum call length. Some long distance providers have a minimum call length of 60 seconds, but others bill calls as short as 6 seconds. Using the same example of a 6 second call, you would be billed for a full minute for the former, and 6 seconds or 1/10 of a minute with the later.

Some other important things to consider include fees, toll free rates if you have a toll free number, if there is a contract, and what kind of billing the long distance provider offers.  The easy way to find the best cheap long distance service, is to use our Best Rate Calculator to do the comparison for you.
 

Free cheap long distance comparison

	PowerNetGlobal  (3.9¢ per minute) - Ride the Light of the Fiber Optic Nationwide Network of Qwest. Toll free dial-around (PowerDial) and Travel Card (9.7¢/min) Services also available. Features 6-second billing, 18-second minimum for 4.25 and 4.5 cheap long distance rate plans. No monthly fee if usage is over $15! *Toll Free Service Available - No service charges!*
	Pioneer Telephone From 2.7¢/min, low international rates Traditional long distance with old fashioned customer service. No hidden surprises... just a simple, straightforward and honest company. Pioneer has not raised its domestic U.S. rates since 1989!
	IBN Tel Super low USA and International rates! Superior service with ultra-low International and domestic ratesa s low as 2.3 ¢ per minute. Available throughout most of the continental United States. IBNTel uses a high quality network, so you don't have to substitute call quality for low rates!
	OPEX (from 2.7¢ per minute) - OPEX Cheap Long Distance Phone Service.  Outstanding (USA origination) long distance service, featuring low intrastate and 2.95¢ interstate long distance rates. Full minute billing. Online signup. For commercial and residential long distance users. *100 free interstate minutes* *Toll Free Service Available* *Lowest long distance rates shown apply only in 'Baby Bell' Areas (Pacific Bell, Bell South, Ameritech, US West, Southwest Bell, Bell Atlantic)*
	Unitel (2.5¢ per minute) - Unitel Cheap Long Distance Phone Service.  Outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low intrastate and 2.5¢ interstate long distance rates. Six second billing - 18 second minimum. Online signup. For business and residential long distance users. Direct billed via U.S. mail. *Toll Free Service Available* *ONLY Available in 'Baby Bell' Areas (Pacific Bell, Bell South, Ameritech, US West, Southwest Bell, Bell Atlantic)*
	Covista Communications  Cheap Long Distance (2.5¢ per minute) - Capsule Communications Long Distance Phone Service.  Outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low intrastate and 2.5¢ interstate long distance rates. 30-second billing increments! Online signup. For business and residential long distance users. Direct billed via U.S. mail. *Toll Free Service Available*