JUST WHAT IS A PIC CODE - AND 10-10-### DIALING?
A PIC code is an acronym for Primary intraLata Carrier (PIC) Code. Each long distance has a PIC code that identifies it. For example MCI is 1010222 and Frontier is 1010444. But you don’t have to know this. Your local carrier automatically inserts this code in front of every call you make so it knows who you are calling, and then can send the bill to the carrier. Let’s say you are calling from 212-111-1111 and calling to 714-222-2222, assume you use MCI. The way this works is that this code accompanies each number you dial from a phone and is then routed by the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC - i.e., your local Bell company) and provides information on the number called and on the carrier. The phone company will show in their computerized bill to the carrier:
212-111-1111-1010222 714 222 2222
HOW SHOULD I USE A DIAL AROUND PLAN?
You can use a dial around plan several different ways:
1) Emergency long distance back up plan: If your regular long distance carrier has a 'fiber cut' and your long distance service is interrupted, you can use a dial around plan to make long distance calls from work or
home.
2) To lower your long distance bills: You can use dial around codes to your advantage by selecting when to use them. Assume your primary long distance carrier provides you with great interstate rates, but you are going to place a call overseas and they do not have the lowest rates. You can then use dial-around to place international calls that are the cheapest you can find while retaining your primary carrier without the expense and burden of changing carriers.
3) Students in dorm rooms or placing private, confidential calls from work. One of the plans we offer is a
toll free dial around service allowing you to make long distance calls without changing carriers or using
calling
cards.
HOW DO I DIAL A 10-10 NUMBER?
For calls within the US & Canada: Dial 10-10-#### + 1+ area code + number . For international calls: Dial 10-10-629 + 011 + country code + number. The 1010321 commercials ask you to re-route your call over their long distance network, instead of using your primary long distance carrier. By doing so, you are charged at the assigned rates of the carrier's code you dialed, NOT the rates of your primary long distance carrier. This is both good and bad news: if you currently pay 12 cents a minute from your long distance carrier and by dialing a PIC code to re-route your call, you pay 10 cents, you have benefited However if you currently pay 15 cents to call the United Kingdom and you use the 10321 PIC code to re-route, and if the UK rate is 64 cents a minute that is what you
pay.
WHY USE A DIAL-AROUND SERVICE? If you compare dial around prices before you use, you can save money on your phone bill. Assume you are currently paying your primary carrier 5 cents on nights and weekends, but 25 cents during the day. By using a dialaround service that offers low cost day time phone rates, you can save money at all times on your phone calls.
IF I USE A DIAL AROUND PLAN WILL THE LONG DISTANCE CARRIER ON MY HOME OR BUSINESS LINE CHANGE?
If you use a dial around number, it will NOT change your long distance carrier and it will not prevent you from using other dial around carriers.
CAN I PLACE INTERNATIONAL AND INTERSTATE CALLS? Almost all 1010 plans allow you to make overseas and domestic calls, but be sure to check the rates
first.
ARE 10-10 CALLS CHEAPER? No, not always, some dial around plans can be expensive. You must 'shop around' for the best rates for your specific calling needs. Start by reviewing your current phone bills and then do a price comparison of dial around companies and your current long distance rates.
There are two ways to compare
prices:
1. Check direct dial prices - the price generally varies form
4.5
cents to 5.9 cents per minute, 24 hours a day, with no codes to
dial The length of a minimum call varies from plan to
plan.
2. Compare dial around
plans.
WHAT ARE BILLING INCREMENTS?
Billing increments are the way in which your phone call is accounted for - ie billed in one minute increments. This determines the price of your 1010 call. Assume a 1010 carrier bills in one minute increments, while a second dial around company bills in 6 second increments. For the full minute carrier, it means that they will round up every fraction of a minute to a full minute. In example if you have a long distance call that lasts 2 minutes and 30 seconds, your call will be rounded up to 3 minutes.
Most 1010 dial around companies charge in full minute (60 second) increments.
WHY SHOULD I USE A 1010 PLAN WITH A MONTHLY FEE? If you are a heavy caller, whether international or domestic calls, you can often obtain the lowest dial around rates by opting for a 1010 plan that has a monthly fee. The savings your receive by your high volume of calls offsets the small monthly
fee.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF USING A 10-10 DIAL AROUND PLAN?
You do not have to switch long distance carriers to save money.
You do not have to sign up.
Unlimited
calls
Low international rates.
No minimum usage requirements
Rates are available all the time of the day, any day of the week.
Just dial the code to start using the 10-10-### for your long
distance
