Tips For Using 10-10 Numbers

by David Wood

A 1010 phone number (dial around service) is a 7-digit access number that you dial before your call to "dial around" your current long distance provider. Although a dial around service can also apply to a local or toll free access number that you dial before your call, for the purpose of this article I will be addressing the use of 7-digit dial around services (i.e. 10-10-xxx, 10-15-xxx, 10-16-xxx).

Read The Fine Print

Although there are some very reputable 1010 long distance carriers, it's important to take a minute and read all of the fine print. If you read something you do not understand, contact the company before using the dial around number and make sure you understand their fee's and policies.

How Do I Sign Up For Service

1010 long distance carriers use different methods to sign you up for their dial around service. Some will have you call them to sign up, some will allow you to just pick up the phone and use it, while others might have you use an "activation code" on your first call.

Can I Use A 1010 Phone Number If I Don't Have A Long Distance Carrier?

Yes, as long as the dial around service is available in your area. Keep in mind that many alternative local phone providers will not allow you to use a dial around service. Furthermore, if you have AT&T local service, there is a good change you won't be able to use most 1010 numbers.

Choose The Best Dial Around Service For Your Calling Patterns

Firstly, remember that you are not limited to using only one 1010 phone number. If you need to use one dial around service for your in-state calls and a different 1010 phone number to get the best state-to-state rate, there will be no problem unless the service is not available in your area. Secondly, if you are making international calls to various countries, it's possible you might save the most money by using one dial around service to certain countries and a different 1010 long distance carrier for other countries.

The USF Fee

USF stands for "Universal Service Fund" and is a fee on certain long distance services to offset a company's mandatory payment into the Federal Universal Service Fund. You will be charged a USF fee on state-to-state and international calls but 1010 long distance carriers handle the USF in different ways. Most will charge you a percentage (usually between 6.8% and 9.9%) while others will add a flat rate charge to your bill. If you are making only a few short calls per month, a flat rate USF charge might not be the best choice. You can read more about the USF at the FCC here

Minimum Minute Charges

Some dial around services will charge you a minimum minute charge on each call, including on international calls. This simply means that if the dial around number has a 10 minute minimum, you will be charged that minimum even if your call is only 2 minutes long. Many times a minute minimum plan will give you the lowest actual per minute rate, but make sure you know you will be talking at least 10 minutes. If you are not sure if you will get an answering machine, voice mail, etc., try using a different 1010 phone number that has no minimum minute charge on your first call. If your party is available to talk, you can always call them back using the minimum minute charge dial around service.

Check Your Intrastate (In-State) Rate

Many dial around services will advertise a low rate in large print but then when you read the fine print, you discover this low rate only applies to state-to-state (Interstate) calls. Use a separate 1010 long distance carrier for your in-state calls if needed.

Rate Increases

You are considered a "casual user" of a carrier when you use their dial around service, so if there are rate increases later it's highly possible you will not be notified of those increases. The good news is there are reputable carriers that will keep you at the same rate even if the rates do increase. It's always a good idea to periodically contact the carrier and ask them if there have been rate increases or rate decreases that would affect you.

Connection Fees

There are quality dial around's that do not have any per call connection fee's, so it's best to stay away from any number with a connection fee. This goes for plans with monthly fee's also.

Where Can I Use A Dial Around Service?

As long as the 1010 phone number is available in your area, you can use it from residential phones and the majority of business phones. You cannot use it from a payphone, hotels, motels, and cell phones.

International Calls

Using a 1010 long distance carrier for your international calls can be a huge money saver in many cases, but watch for a higher rate for calls made to overseas cell phones, pagers, and military bases. Many countries are now charging U.S. carriers a much higher rate for these type of calls.

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