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of ConsumerCounselCounselOfficeOfficeof ConsumerResidentialLong-DistanceLong-Distance RateComparisonResidentialRateComparisonJune 2005June 20062005Office of Consumer CounselJuneAND2006 BILLING INCREMENTS*PER MINUTE RATES, FEES,CARRIER INFORMATIONCARRIER INFORMATIONCARRIER INFORMATIONAmeriCom(800) 820-6296www.americom.comAmeriComAmeriCom(800) comAT&TAT&T (800) 222-0300(800) 22www.att.com2-0300www.att.comAT&T(800) 222-0300www.att.comANYTIMERATE RATES,PLANSCALLINGCARDS INCREMENTS*PERPERMINUTEANDBILLINGMINUTERATES, FEES,FEES, ANDBILLINGINCREMENTS *OTHER MONTHLY FEES ANDANYTIME RATE PLANSANYTIME RATE PLANSSimplicity Dial 1State-to-StateIn-StateSimplicity Dial 1SimplicityNoStMonthlyFeeateDial-to-St1ate or Fee or MinimumOne7 PlanNo MonthlyFee5 orPlanMinimumOne RateState-to-StateState-to-StateIn-State 3.95FeeIn-StMonthlyateNo 6.95MonthlyMinimumOne Rate7 MonthlyPlanFeeState-to-StateNo Monthly MinimumOne Rate 10 PlanIn-State 3.95State-to-StateMonthly5 PlanOne Rate FeeIn-StateNo MonthlyMinimumStatetoStateNo Monthly Fee 9In-StateMonthly(InterLATA)MinimumC-COM(800) 301-0788C-COM www.c-comld.com(800) 301-0788www.c-comld.comIn-State (IntraLATA)One Rate 10 PlanMinimumState-to-State5.5 Plan 3.95Monthly MinimumState-to-StateIn-State5.5 PlanIn-State FeeNo Monthlyate-to-StFeeate or MinimumNoStMonthly 9 MonthlyIn-StatMinimumeNo Monthly Fee or MinimumECG Long DistanceECG Long(800)Distance254-4060(800) .netEverdialEverdial(800) netECG Long Distance(800)MCI254-4060(800) FEESANDSURCHAGESSURCHARGESC A L L I N G CA RD S3.9 9.7 18:063.9 12.4 18:06 Payphone surcharge up to 65 11.9 18:06Payphone Surcharge up to 65 1.13 In-State Connection FeeOne Rate Calling Card Plan18:06One Rate Calling Card PlanIn-State7.0 25.0 2.49 Bill 1.13StatementFee Connection Fee,5. 10 Monthly Fee5.60:600 30.0 1.49 RegulatoryAssessment 2.99 BillStatementFeeFee, 1.49 1 monthly feeCarrier Cost Recovery Fee60:60PayphoneSurchargeup to60:6030 PlanOne RateCallingCard 1.13 In-State Connection Fee7.0 60:6025.0 Payphone surcharge up to 56 2.49 Bill Statement Fee7.0 7.0 1 Monthly Fee60:6060:60 5.0 Payphone Surcharge up to 30 3.5 Plan (Residential Plan)3.5 Plan (Residential th LocalNo Monthly Fee or MinimumState-to-StateIn-StateNo Monthly Fee or MinimumEverdial 1 or MinimumNo MonthlyEverdial NoMonthlyFeeFeeor MinimumMonthlyorPlan)Minimum3.5 Plan(ResidentialMCI Net ValueState-to-StateState-to-StateIn-StateMCI Nationwide InstateInter-LAFeeTA or MinimumState-to-StateNo MonthlyIntra-LATAIn-State 6.99MonthlyMonthly 6.95FeeFeeNoNoMonthlyMinimumMonthlyMinimum 4.95 Monthly FeeNo Monthly Minimum60:6014.0 10.0 10.0 4.5 60:605.5 18:0614.0 1.50 Paper Bill Fee4.5 (pre-paid) 1.50 Paper Bill Fee7.9 Payphone Surcharge up to 55 5.5 8.9 (post-paid)18:0660:607.9 18:0618:06Payphone surcharge up to 55 12.9 12.9 3.5 99 Set Up Fee5 99 Set Up Fee13.3 3.30:06.3 60:60Surcharge up to30:0630 4.0 13Payphone2 1.50 Paper Bill Fee59 Regulatory Recovery Fee59 Regulatory Recovery Fee4.0 60:6018:06 9.9 Payphone surcharge up to 53 9.9 9 Connection Fee06:064.9 4.50 9 Payphone surcharge up to 60 7.9 7.06:0606:06 06:06Payphone12.9 Surcharge up to 40 59 Regulatory Recovery Fee 1.25 Carrier Cost Recovery3.5 99 Set Up Fee 15.0 0 30:06 2.00 monthly feeCharge, 2.3% Property Tax13.3 4.20.0 1.40% Carrier Cost Recovery14.0 60:60Surcharge, 3.99 Local5.0 60:60Charge60:60Payphone Surcharge up to 30 .0 Payphoneupsurcharge55 PropertyTelephoneBilling Option Fee or5.0 10PayphoneSurchargeto 55 up to 2.3%Tax Surcharge 3.99 LocalBilling from MCI99Telephone Direct Invoice60:60 60:60Option Fee or 99 Direct Invoice15.0 9.9 from MCIFee4.9 2.0050 MonthlyConnectionFee7.9 60:6006:065.0 Payphone Surcharge up to 55 06:06Payphone Surcharge up to 40 5.0 60:60MCIMCI Nationwide Instate20.0 (800) 444-3333State-to-State5.0 60:60* The Billing Increment is the time customers are billed for fractions of a minute during a call. See Helpful Hints for additional information.www.mci.comIn-State5.0 Payphone Surcharge up to 55 Rates and calling plans are subject to change. Contact companies for current rates and additional calling plans. Please note: Some companies 6.95 Monthly Feehave additional plans with cheaper rates if you sign up for service through the internet, pay your monthly bills by credit card, or both.No Monthly Minimum60:6015.0 P a g e 1.49 Regulatory Assessment Fee10.0 14.0 State-to-State4.0 5.5 Plan4.5 With Local ServiceIn-State4.0 State-to-State5.5 4.0 18:06ate-to-StFeeate or MinimumNoStMonthly18:06In-State7.9 4.0 Payphone Surcharge up to 55 No MonthlyFee orFeeMinimumNo Monthlyor Minimum 18:06 18:06Everdial 1State-to-StateMCI NationwideIn-StateState-to-StateNo MonthlyIn-State Fee or MinimumEverdial(800) 263-6690www.everdial.netSURCHAGES9.7 18:06Payphone Surcharge up to9.765 3.9 11.9 18:06With Local ServiceC-COM(800) 301-0788www.c-comld.comCALLING CARDSC o n s u m e rMCI NationwideState-to-State5.0 In-State5.0 4.95 Monthly FeeNo Monthly Minimum60:60 2.00 Monthly FeeN60:60e w sPayphone Surcharge up to 55 1.40% Carrier Cost RecoveryCharge on next page)(continues2.3% Property Tax Surcharge 3.99 Local Telephone BillingOption Fee or 99 Direct Invoicefrom MCIJ u nn ee22 00 00 56

PER MINUTE RATES,AND CounselBILLING INCREMENTS*OfficeFEES,of ConsumerCARRIER INFORMATIONANYTIME RATE PLANSJune 2006CALLING CARDSOTHER MONTHLY FEES ANDSURCHAGESMCIRATES,Net Value FEES,PER MINUTEANDBILLING*PERMINUTERATES,FEES,AND INCREMENTSBILLING INCREMENTS*MCI(continued)CARRIER INFORMATIONCARRIER INFORMATIONOpexCommunicationsAmeriCom(888)(800) 587270-762696www.opexagwww.americoemnt.ccoommAT&T Opex Communications(888) 577-7266(800) 222www.opexagent.com-0300PioneerTelephonewww.aI tWt.cAoNmT PT(888)(888) ne.netPioneer Telephone(888) I WANT PT(888) 492-6878www.pioneertelephone.comC-COM(800) www.pngsales.comPowerNet Global(800) 382-9622www.pngsales.comECG Long Distance(800) 00)475-7526www.qwest.comEverdial(800) 293-7658www.eveQwestrdial.neLongt DistanceSprint(800) 475-7526(800) PINwww.qwest.com-DROP(800)MCI 746-3767www.sprint.com(800) 444-3333www.mci.comSprint(800) PIN-DROP(800) 746-3767www.sprint.com3U Telecom(800) 97 ASK 3U(800) 972-7538www.3utelecom.comState-to-State4.0 Inter-LATA14.0 ANYTIME RATE PLANSIntra-LATA10.0 RATE PLANS 6.99 MonthlyANYTIMEFeeNoMonthlyMinimum60:603.90 ResidentialSimplicityDial 1 PlanC A L L I N G CA RD SCA L L I N G CA RD S14.99.7 99 SetUp Fee18:0660:60 up to 65 Payphone ER MONTHLY FEES ANDOTHER MONTHLY FEES ANDSURCHARGESSURCHARGES 1.99 Paper Bill Fee3.9 In-State112.04 No MonthlyFeeFeeor orMinimum18:06 2.00Monthly2.95 ResidentialPlan14.9 OneMonthlyRate 5 MinimumPlanOne RatesurchargeCalling Card 1.13 In-State Connection Fee, 2060:60up toPlan65 State-to-State2.95 99 Set UpPayphoneFeeStatetoState5.0 30.0 2.99 Bill Statement Fee, 1.49Pioneer Rate Buster11.9 In-State10.08 60:60Int-MonthlyCarrier Cost Recovery FeeSaSteta-ttoe-StFeeate or35.30Payphone 60:60 2Surcharge 1upmonthlyto35 feeFee60:60 up to 55 2060:60 6.7 I 6.95n-SMonthlytatMonthlye MinimumPayphone surchargeNo MonthlyMinimum60:60Payphone surcharge up to 56 0.99Low UsageFee or 15MonthlyMinimum60:60Pioneer Rate Buster11.9 One Rate 5 PlanState-to-State2.7 60:60State-to-STalktateCents PioneerIn-State4.9 5.0PayphoneSurcharge up to 55 In-State(InterLATA)14.0 99 Low UsageFee orState-to-State3.90 15Minimum60:60 10.0IIn-Staten-SMonthlytate (IntraLATA)7.9 Pioneer Talk Cents (cont.) 0.99Low Usage Fee or06:06 (State-to-State)MinimumPioneer Talk Cents30:06(continued) 3.95MonthlyMonthlyMinimum60:60PioneerTalk Cents 15Minimum(In-State)06:06 (State-to-State)State-to-State3.25 5.5 Plan4.5 (pre-paid) 1.50 Paper Bill FeeIn-State5.9 5.530:06StatePlan-to-State (In-State) 8.9 (post-paid)5399.9 99 Int-aSLow18:06Steta-toe-UsageState Fee or37.9 30:06 15 Monthly MinimumFee or Minimum55 INon-SMonthlytate118:061.9 Payphone surcharge up to 65No Monthly Fee or Minimum6:06WithLocal Service398Plan9.9 State-to-State3.9 4.030:06StatePlan-to-State (with 398 Plan)545In-State11.9 4.060:60State-to-State4.5 (with 458 Plan)NoMonthly Feeor orMinimumPayphone Surcharge up to 65 FeeMinimum 60:60 118:06INon-SMonthlytate1.9 3.5 Plan(ResidentialPlan)12.9 59 Regulatory Recovery FeeNo Monthly Fee or Minimum30:06458PlanStatetoState3.5 99 SetUpFee5 Plan69.0 99 Interstate Services FeeState-to-State4.5 13.3 30:06State-to-State60:60In-State11.9 5.0 FeeMinimum 30:06 60:60Payphoneto 53 INon-MonthlySMonthlytate Fee5.0 Per callsurchargesurchargeup 1.25Noor orMinimumEverdial19.9 up to 55 4.99MonthlyFeePayphone surchargeStatMonthlye-to-StateMinimum4.9 06:06No60:605 In-PlanSAnyTimetate7.9Up to 15.0 Payphonesurcharge7 SprintFoncardup to 60 0.99 Carrier Cost RecoveryState-to-State5.0 60:60StatetoState7.0 15.0 NoMonthlyFeeorMinimum06:06Charge, 1.99 In-State AccessIn-State5.0 Payphone Surcharge up to 50 IMCIn-StaNette ValueFee12.0 2.00 Monthly15.0 Charge 1.25 CarrierRecoveryCharge,0.47%CostGrossReceipts 4.99MonthlyStMonthlyate-to-StaMinimumte 2.00 60:60monthly feeCharge,2.3% Property TaxNo60:60 4.0 TaxSurchargePayphone surchargeInter-LATA14.0 60:60 up to 55 Surcharge, 3.99 LocalIntra-LATA10.0 Payphone surcharge up to 55 Telephone Billing Option Fee or7 AnyTimeSprint Foncard99 Carrier Cost Recovery Charge 6.95Monthly Fee 6.9999 DirectState-to-State7.0 15.0 1.99 In-StateAccessInvoiceCharge from MCINoMonthlyMinimum60:60In-State12.0 2.00 Monthly Charge0.47% Gross Receipts Tax Sur 5.95 Monthly Fee Plan Minimum4.8MonthlyNoState-to-StateIn-StateNo Monthly Fee or Minimum60:6060:60charge4.8 State-to-State4.8Sprint Foncard Upgrade7.9 In-State7.925.0 01:0101:01Payphone 1.00 MonthlyChargesurcharge up to 65 99 Paper Bill Fee60:60Payphone Surcharge up to 55 3U Telecom(800) 97 ASK 3U(800) 972-7538www.3utelecom.com4.8 PlanState-to-StateIn-StateNo Monthly Fee or Minimum4.8 7.9 01:014.8 State-to State7.9 In-State01:01Payphone Surcharge up to 65 99 Paper Bill Fee(continues on page 4)J u n e22 00 00 56C o n s u m e rN e w sP a g e3

Office of Consumer Counsel(Residential Rates from page 3)June 2006PER MINUTE RATES, FEES, AND BILLING INCREMENTS*PERRATES,MINUTEFEES,RATES,FEES,AND INCREMENTSBILLING INCREMENTS*PER MINUTEANDBILLING*CARRIER INFORMATIONANYTIME RATE PLANSCARRIER INFORMATIONCALLING CARDSANYTIME RATE PLANSCA L L I N G CA RD SOTHER MONTHLY FEES ANDSURCHAGESOTHER MONTHLY FEES ANDOTHER MONTHLY FEES ANDSURCHARGESANYTIME RATE PLANSCA L L I N G CA RD SSURCHARGESTotal Saver6.9 99 Paper Bill FeeSimplicity9.7Total SaverDial 16.9 99 Paper Bill FeeState-to-State2.9 06:06State-to-State9 18:0660:60In-State9.9 32.PayphoneSurcharge up to75 In-MonthlyState FeePayphone surcharge up to 6575 No60:60 172.94 15NoMonthlyMonthlyMinimumFee or Minimum18:0660:60AT&TOneRate 5 PlanOne Rate Calling Card Plan 1.13 In-State Connection Fee,Minimum 15 Monthly(800) 222-0300StateBasic-to-State5.0 30.0 Total 2.99 Bill Statement Fee, 1.49State-to-State3.9 5.0 www.att.comITotaln-StaBasicte 1 monthly feeCarrier Cost Recovery FeeIn-State9.9 3.9 6.95MonthlyFee60:60State-to-StateNo Monthly Fee or Minimum18:06In-SMonthlytate7.9 NoMinimum60:60Payphone surcharge up to 56 No Monthly Fee or Minimum18:06TotalRate 5 PlanOnePrimeState-to-State4.4 Stateto-StateTotalIn-State-Prime9.9 5.0 In-State(InterLATA)StMonthlyate-to-StFeeate or Minimum4.4 No18:06 14.0In-State10.0In-State (IntraLATA)7.9 MinimumNo Monthly Fee or Minimum18:06TouchToneCommunications3.9 Plan8.0 3.95Monthly60:60TouchToneCommunicationsLeadingEdge Minimum8.0 (888) 662-6622State-to-State3.9 60:60C-COM5.5 Plan4.5 60:60(pre-paid) 1.50 Paper Bill Fee(888) .9 In-State7.9 PayphoneSurcharge up to30 eete or Minimum8.9 surcharge (post-paid)Int-MonthlyPayphoneup to 55 www.longNo18:06 56.5 www.c-comld.comINon-SMonthlytate7.9 18:06Fee or Minimum18:06No18:06Payphone surchargeUnitel2.5 Monthly Plan Fee or Minimum14.0 up to 55 2.7 (866) 96Unitel6-3835StatPlane-to-State2.14.0 5 60:06(866) 966-3835State-to-State2.7 ons.comtel-communications.comInState76 PayphoneupsurchargeIn-State7.6 .6PayphoneSurchargeto 35 up to 65 StLowateor-tUsageoMinimum-StateFee or4.0 2Fee4.0 1518:06 18:06Minimum 15MonthlyMonthlyMinimumNo Monthly Fee or Minimum18:06ECG Long Distance3.5 Plan (Residential Plan)12.9 59 Regulatory Recovery Fee(800) 2*9The3-7Billing658 Increment is the time customers areSbilledtate-forto-fractionsState of a minute during a call. See Helpful3.5 Hints for additional99information. Set Up Fee* The Billing Increment is the time customers are billed for fractions of a minute during a call. See Helpful Hints for additional information.13.3 plans. Please note: Some30:06www.ecglongdistance.netRates and calling plans are subject to change. Contact companies for current rates and additional callingcompanieshave additional plans with cheaper rates if you signfor serviceFeethroughthe internet, pay your monthlycard, or surchargeboth.or Minimum60:60bills by creditPayphoneup to 53 NoupMonthlyEverdialEverdial 19.9 Rates and calling plans are subject to change. Contact companies for current rates and additional calling plans. Please note: Some companies have additional plans(800) 293-7658State-to-State4.9 06:06or both. surcharge up to 60 withwwwcheaper.everdial.ratesnet if you sign up for service throughIn-Stathete internet, pay your monthly bills by7.credit9 card,PayphoneNo Monthly Fee or Minimum06:06MCIMCI Net Value15.0 1.25 Carrier Cost Recoverythe 15 companiesshowsthe beststate- Tax(800) 444-3Our333 long-distance rate comparisonState-to-Staincludeste4.0 that our research 2.00 monthlyfee as havingCharge,2.3% Propertywww.mci.coto-statemInteyour-LATuseA our chart, we suggest14narrowing.0 60:60 to a few companiesand in-state rates. Asyour searchthenSurcharge,and 3.99LocalIntra-LbeforeATA.0 callingPayphoneto 55 Telephone Billing Option Fee orcall them to verify the ratesyou sign up. Rates10andplanssurchargechangeupoften. 6.99 Monthly Fee99 Direct Invoice from MCIIn choosing a long-distanceNocompany,it is important to matchMonthly Minimum60:60 your calling patterns to the calling plans offered.CARRIER INFORMATIONTotal Call InternationalAmeriComTotal CallInternational(800)330-6895(800) olums.ac.ocmomSHOPPING TIPSPlease note the location (state-to-state, in-state), amount and length of your calls.We did some of this work for you and came up with recommendations based on low, average and high callvolumes and where calls are made. Here are the best rate plans nues on next page)P a g e4C o n s u m e rN e w sJJ u n e2 00 00 56

Analysis Notes:This analysis assumes monthly long-distance minutes are evenly split: 50% state-to-state and 50% in-state. Low Volume—30 long-distance minutes per month.Average Volume—120 long-distance minutes per month.High Volume—300 long-distance minutes per month.Long-distance rates may be higher if you live in an Independent Telephone Company area.General FormulaVisit our web site or call us to get the formula to determine the monthly cost of a long-distance plan based onyour specific calling habits.OTHER WAYS TO SAVEBundled Telephone Service—Combined Localand Long-Distancecompanies nownowprovideprovidebothbothlocallongSome ervice.InInsomesomecases,cases,lowerlower ratesrates mpanyforavailable if you choose the same phone company for locallocallong-distanceand long-distance.offersandservice. ForFor instance,instance, C-COM offerslong-distance ratesrates ofof 44 centscents perper minuteminute forfor state-to-statestate-to-statelong-distancecalls andandforforcallscallswithinwithinColoradoto localits localservicecallsColoradoto westhastomers, with no monthly minimum or fee. Qwest savailabletoChoice Unlimited” plan, which is available to itsits localservicecustomers.a qualifyingpackage,localservicecustomers.With stomerspaya 15Choice Unlimited customers pay a 20 monthlymonthlyfee forfee for unlimited long-distance calls. Local serviceunlimited long-distance calls. Local service customers withcustomers with Qwest may also choose to pay 5 cents aQwest may also choose to pay 5 cents a minute for allminute for all domestic long-distance calls with a 4.99domesticlong-distancecalls witha 4.99 monthlyfee“Theandmonthly feeand no monthlyminimum.MCI ghborhood” plan, which includes local phone serviceplan,which includeslocal phoneunlimitedand unlimitedlong-distancecalls. milardiscountsareavailablethroughavailable through AT&T, Comcast, Sprint andotherAT&T,Comcast,serviceSprint providers.and other local telephone servicelocal telephoneproviders.Unlimited Long-Distance Calling PlansMany carriers such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint and Qwest arenow offering unlimited calling plans. AT&T’s UnlimitedPlus Plan is 29.95 per month (excluding taxes and fees)for unlimited state-to-state and in-state calls. MCI’s “TheNeighborhood” plan offers unlimited long-distance withlocal phone service (where available) for 49.99 andincludes some features like call waiting, caller ID andthree-way calling. Qwest offers an unlimited long-distancecalling plan to local service customers with a qualifyingplan for 20.00. One thing to keep in mind with the“unlimited” plans is that they often have a limit, such thata surcharge is billed for exceeding 5,000 minutes. In addition, these “unlimited” plans generally may not be usedfor dial-up internet access.J u n e22 00 00 56Avoiding Maintenance ChargesWhen telephone customers have problems with theirphone, they often assume the problem is in Qwest’snetwork facilities—and most of the time it is. However,sometimes the source of the problem is within the customer’s residence. Anytime Qwest makes a premise visitand determines the source of the trouble to be within thecustomer’s residence (inside wiring), Qwest charges an 85 trip charge. When you call Qwest, they must let youknow this charge might apply. Before calling, refer tothe “Repair Service” section of your white pagesdirectory for information on how you can determineif the problem is your inside wiring.PIC Change Charges ApplyPIC is an acronym for Pr

If your long-distance company is AT&T, MCI or Sprint andyou subscribe to their "basic rates," you are paying very high rates. These basic rates (often called "Basic Dial-1" or "Direct Dialed" plans) are the highest offered by the three largest long-distance companies and are often their default rates. For example, if AT&T has been .