| Making the right long distance decision for | | | | costs such as monthly fees, line charges and |
| your business can save you plenty of money. | | | | service contracts. |
| There are lots of long distance providers so | | | | |
| how do you find the deal that's best for you? | | | | Whenever possible try to make accurate cost |
| Here are some tips for saving money with your | | | | comparisons among the companies you are |
| business long distance. | | | | considering. What looks at first to be the |
| | | | best deal may be filled with hidden costs |
| Services | | | | that you need to determine before making a |
| | | | final decision. |
| With costs for T1 service going down it has | | | | |
| become a viable solution for even small and | | | | Once you are comfortable that you are making |
| medium sized businesses. A T1 is a high-speed | | | | price comparisons based on similar options |
| digital circuit that transmits at a speed of | | | | you can concentrate on prioritizing your |
| 1.544Mbps. This speed is faster than many | | | | needs. Be sure to consider things such as |
| modems. | | | | service response commitments if an outage |
| | | | occurs. This alone may be a determining |
| This digital line uses fiber to connect | | | | factor in choosing a wholesale long distance |
| allowing for 24 channels. These channels are | | | | service. Be sure that the service hours |
| flexible allowing for everyone to access any | | | | coincide with your hours of business. If not |
| available channel. This technology gives you | | | | you should consider adding an additional more |
| the most use for your money. T1 channels free | | | | comprehensive service plan to your package. |
| up for use as soon as calls are complete. A | | | | This will ensure that an outage will be dealt |
| T1 for a typical business may be able to | | | | with immediately so your business will not be |
| accommodate 50 to 100 users. Fractional T1s | | | | impacted. |
| are available to provide both voice and data | | | | |
| over the same T1 circuit. This makes a T1 | | | | Future Growth |
| cost effective even for small businesses. | | | | |
| | | | Always take into account the future growth of |
| Voice T1 long distance gives you the best | | | | your business when choosing a business long |
| long distance services at the lowest prices | | | | distance service. The costs of adding |
| available. You can still get as many or as | | | | additional services at a later time may be |
| few frills as you need but with lower price | | | | much greater incrementally than just adding |
| tags. Plans can be custom tailored to meet | | | | the services now. Always allow for at least |
| your specific needs. Qualified long distance | | | | 10% growth per year. If your business |
| companies then provide the services. | | | | warrants it you may need to grow even more |
| | | | quickly. |
| Pricing | | | | |
| | | | Besides the future growth of your company you |
| When evaluating long distance pricing it is | | | | should also be prepared for new technology |
| helpful to understand and compare similar | | | | that you may want to take advantage of. |
| services. This can be difficult when looking | | | | Choosing a plan that allows for growth will |
| at packaged plans. In order to do a proper | | | | ensure that you can use new technology as it |
| price comparison breakdown the costs into | | | | becomes available. This can end up saving you |
| several common categories. These should | | | | money in the long run as you are poised to |
| include one-time charges such as installation | | | | take advantage of new advances, putting your |
| fees and equipment costs as well as recurring | | | | business on the cutting edge. |