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Christian Long Distance FAQ
Other FAQ: Local Service FAQ | Calling
Card FAQ | Cell Phone FAQ
Have a question? Many of them are answered below. Just click on a question to read the answer. If your question isn't answered below, click here to contact Jim Clayton.
Questions About the Service
Questions About Signing Up/Switching
Q. Will I need to cancel my old long distance service?
We recommend you call the old company once you've confirmed that your long distance has been switched to the new company (we'll tell you how to confirm it).
Q. Will my long distance charges appear on my local phone bill?
No. You will recieve a separate, detailed bill separate from your local phone bill.
Q. If you don't use any of the "big three" providers, how I can be sure of the quality of your connections?
There are several companies with their own fiber optic networks that provide excellent service without dealing with AT&T, MCI and Sprint.
Q. What if I currently don't have a long distance provider?
Not a problem. The process works exactly the same way. Just sign up, and we'll take care of it.
Q. Is Trinity part of Lifeline?
No WAY! Their plans are not as good as ours, and they are too confusing. Also, Lifeline has admitted that is uses MCI. The companies we represent do not use MCI, AT&T or Sprint. Both companies give a percentage to the charity of your choice, but you're paying a lot more for your long distance. It would be better to get the best rate on your long distance through us, then pass along the savings to your favorite charity. When you do it that way, your donation is tax deductible!
Q. Do you offer local phone service as well?
Yes! Click here for more information.
Q. Do I have to dial a 10-10 or toll-free number first?
No. These rates are for direct dialing from your phone. No 10-10 numbers, and no toll-free numbers to dial first. Just pick up your phone and dial!
Q. Do I have to sign up for automatic credit card payments to get this rate?
No. You can choose to be billed and then pay by check, credit card or bank draft. You get the same great rates, no matter how you pay. You can sign up for automatic payments at any time.
Q. Do I have to call during certain time periods to get this great rate?
No. These rates are good 24/7/365, so you can call whenever you want.
Q. I see rates advertised as low as 1.5 cents/minute. Why don't you offer rates that low?
That's a great question. If you check carefully you'll find that those "low" rates have hidden charges that can actually cost you more in the end, and some of them are for a limited time. We have no monthly fees, 6 second billing increments and no hidden charges whatsoever. For more information about the tricks some companies play, see the read the fine print page.
Q. What is the best way to sign up for the service?
The best way is to use our automated sign up system on the Internet. Click on the signup links to access the sign up forms. With PNG, once you complete the application and submit it, you will receive an email with instructions on how to verify your application online. If for some reason you do not receive the email with 48 hours, send us an e-mail or give us a call and we will assist you. If you prefer to sign up over the phone, then click here to call Jim Clayton.
Q. Is this a multi-level marketing program?
No. Multi-level marketing programs (MLM's) are complicated programs that make you believe all you have to do is recruit people in your "downline" and make a lot of money. Our program pays commissions to agents on their customers and, if they sign up agents, they'll earn commissions on their customers as well. Agents do not earn commissions on any agents other than those they sign up directly. This is called a two-tier commission program. While recruting agents is a great way to add to your residual income, it's not the only key to success.
Q. Is this a pyramid?
NO! Many well-known companies operate in the same way, including Mary Kay and Avon. A pyramid is an illegal scheme that bilks people out of money by offering a get rich quick scheme of some kind. (Click here for the Federal Trade Commission's pyramid web page.)
Q. Do I have to sign a contract?
No! You do not have to sign a contract to get these great rates.
Q. Will I have to change my phone number?
No. Your number stays the same. If you have a toll-free number, that can be switched to our service as well, without changing your number.
Q. I have caller ID, call waiting and other features, will this affect those features?
No. Those features are provided by your local phone company, and they will not be affected.
How can I tell if my phone numbers have been switched to your service?
We will send you an email that gives you information on how to check who your long distance carrier is.
Q. Is this plan a promotional rate?
A. No, this rate is NOT a promotional rate! While we cannot guarantee that your rates will never increase, we are proud of the fact that we have NEVER had a rate increase! We are committed to bringing our customers the best value in the communications market for years to come!
Q. How long should it take for my phone lines to switch over?
A. It should take 5 to 10 business days for your line(s) to be transferred to our service. If it takes longer than this, something is wrong. Please contact our office immediately. The top reasons why your line(s) may not have been switched are as follows:
- Your local telephone company does not accept electronic requests (small ones usually don't);
- Your telephone number is new (our electronic request will always be "bounced" back on new numbers);
- You have a "PIC freeze” on your line (our electronic request will be denied in this situation as well); OR
- Your local telephone company is a re-seller (also known as a "Local Service Provider" or LSP).
- Or, they are simply taking their time, and a quick call from you is what it takes to get it switched!
Q. Are there any costs involved for switching long distance carriers?
There is no charge for changing carriers from these companies. However, your local phone company does charge a fee for changing your service. Here’s the good news: We can tell you how to get reimbursed for those charges.
Q. Can I transfer an existing Toll-Free number from my present carrier to this service?
Absolutely, and your toll-free number will not change! There is a special form you will need to make the change called a Toll-Free Responsible Organization Form. We can mail you or fax you this form if you call us or send us an e-mail request. We will also need a copy of a recent phone bill showing your name and address on some portion of the bill, and the toll-free number if possible. This makes the changeover swift and painless and avoids unnecessary delays. If the change is made properly with the correct paperwork, the existing carrier has 48 hours to release the toll-free number.
Q. Do you provide service to all 50 states?
We provide service to the 48 contiguous states at the listed rate, but not Alaska and Hawaii. Calls to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are billed at 16.9 cents a minute. Calling card rates to Alaska and Hawaii are 24.9 cents a minute.
Q. Can I pay my bill with a credit card?
Yes, there are several ways you can do this. With each monthly bill, you’ll receive an envelope that will offer you an opportunity to provide your credit card information. Or, you can call the customer service number on the bill and pay the bill through a live operator. You can also set up a regular automatic credit card payment through the company.
Q. What is a "pic freeze"?
A. A "pic freeze" is a preventative measure that keeps you from being "slammed" (switched with or without your authorization) to another long distance service. Unfortunately, a pic freeze will prevent us from transferring your service electronically.
Q. Should I remove the "pic freeze" from my line?
A. No, this will not be necessary. However, you will need to perform a "self pic" as described below.
Q. How do I do a "self pic"?
A. "Self-pic" is NOT necessary in most cases, and should only be done if we contact you and tell you to do so. Then, you simply call your local telephone company and have them change your service to carrier information that we provide to you (Verizon customers will also need the "Alpha Numeric" code, which we will provide as well). Make sure you have them switch your inter-state, intra-state, international, AND intra-lata (if applicable). As soon as your local telephone company makes the change in their switch, you will have our service! The only time this is necessary is in the case the switch did not go through for some reason beyond our control.
Q. Will you notify me if my long distance service has NOT been transferred?
A. Yes we will, by e-mail to the address you provide in the sign up process. If our electronic request gets "bounced" back for any reason, your long distance service may not be switched without your help and cooperation. All that we ask is that you pro-actively participate in the switchover process if we request your assistance.
Q. After I have been successfully transferred to your service, should I put a "pic freeze" on my line (to prevent "slamming")?
A. It might be wise if you have been victimized in the past by people changing your long distance service without your authorization.
Q. What is "intra-LATA" service?
A. "LATA" stands for "Local Access Transport Area," and refers to calls that are too short to be considered "long distance," and too long to be considered "local." Some other names for this service are local toll, regional, zone calling, etc. Your local telephone company usually handles these calls. If you want your local phone company to continue to handle your intra\-lata calls, please be sure to check "NO" to that question on our online sign-up form. If your local telephone company will allow us to switch your intra-lata service (some will and some won't), and you want us to do so, please be sure to check "YES" to that question on our online sign-up form.
If Intra-Lata service is available in your state for 1-plus dialing (1 + (area code) + the number), we will bill you for these calls at the same per-minute rate as your in-state rate (unless otherwise specified). If the service is NOT yet available in your state for 1-plus dialing, and you still want it, you will need to force our 7-digit access code on EACH Intra-Lata call. Do this by dialing our 7-digit code, then 1 + (area code) + the number.
Q. What is the USF charge?
A. The Universal Service Fund (USF), was mandated by the 1996 Universal Service Act. The goals of Universal Service, as mandated by the 1996 Act, are to promote the availability of quality services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates; increase access to advanced telecommunications services throughout the Nation; advance the availability of such services to all consumers, including those in low income, rural, insular, and high cost areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to those charged in urban areas. In addition, the 1996 Act states that all providers of telecommunications services should contribute to Federal universal service in some equitable and nondiscriminatory manner; there should be specific, predictable, and sufficient Federal and State mechanisms to preserve and advance universal service; all schools, classrooms, health care providers, and libraries should, generally, have access to advanced telecommunications services; and finally, that the Federal-State Joint Board and the Commission should determine those other principles that, consistent with the 1996 Act, are necessary to protect the public interest.
The USF rate (percentage) that telecommunications providers have to pay is announced each quarter (click here), so it is not a fixed percentage. In order to be more equitable, some providers choose to vary the percentage charged by county, as is the case with ACCXX, one of the companies I recommend. Some carriers will charge a low USF fee, but then they get you with higher per-minute rates, monthly fees and other hidden fees. If you have any questions about this, please contact me.
Q. What are all these charges on my phone bill?
A. Good question! It's really confusing when you see so many charges on your phone bill. Long distance companies have to collect and pay taxes and other fees, as mandated by federal and state government. For more information about federal taxes and fees, click here. Some states require sales or service tax on long distance charges. For state-related charges, you would need to check with your state government for more information.
Q. Your interstate rate is attractive, but my local carrier currently handles my local-toll (also known as "regional," "zone calling," or "intra-lata") calls at a rate lower than what you can offer me. Can I EXCLUDE my intra-lata service, and keep it my local telephone company?
A. Yes. There is a question on our online signup form which asks "Do your want our intra-lata service?" Just check it "NO." Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to call your local telephone company, and have them "freeze in" your intra-lata, so that you know for sure that it will not get switched.
Not sure what to do? Questions? Click here.
TCLD is a division of TMG, Inc., a Christian owned company founded in 1996. Started in 2002, TCLD is the newest addition to the TMG family of Christian companies, Christian ministries and Christian affiliate programs. Agape came about as the result of TMG changing long distance carriers to get a lower rate on long distance and toll-free calls. We were so impressed with the service that we decided to sign up as an agent to offer this service to our already established base of clients and customers. We can offer the same great rates to residential and business customers, including businesses with multiple lines. Our customers include individuals with one residential line and business customers with more than 10 lines, and they all get the same great rates and service!
As you surely know, there are many long distance programs on the market and it can be difficult to decipher all the fine print. The rates and terms of these programs vary greatly so it pays to take a look at all of your options and make an educated decision. There are several factors to consider: Interstate rates, Intrastate and Intralata rates, monthly fees, incremental billing options, toll-free rates, calling card rates and Federal PICC charges. Only when you review all these factors can you determine the best company for you.
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