"Interstate Subscriber Line Charge" on your phone bill?

[jrichrds]

Does anyone not have a long distance provider at all? (i.e. rely solely on prepaid calling card for LD)

I have this $6 "Interstate Subscriber Line Charge" on my local Verizon phone bill every month, and was wondering if it'd dissappear if I cancelled my never-used long distance service.
Then I heard that some local phone companies charge a fee if you DON'T have a long distance service.

Thought I'd check here before calling Verizon and enduring their sales pitches. Maybe I just talked to bad CSRs, but it seems like they're not even listening to me...they just keep asking me what countries I call to most, that they have a great long distance plan for me, etc. when the last thing I want is another long distance provider.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

we had long distance blocked on our land line when I was in college. You neede a calling card or a 10-xx number. I don't rememeber if the bill still had that charge.

 

[kt]

Interesting.. I would like to know as well. If I only use those 10-xx numbers to make international calls, could I get rid of that charge?

 

[Muadib]

The fee will drop, but you will still pay something. I think it's around 2 bucks .

 

[jrichrds]

As long as I can still call 1-800 numbers to reach the calling cards, might as well drop my LD carrier.

 

[nord1899]

My previous apartment we did this, and we had verizon.

Get whatever you want for local plans. Get the LD plan with no montly fees, this of course means higher per-minute rates. That should get rid of or at least reduce that fee.

Verizon will charge you if you don't have a LD plan. Screwed up isn't it?

 

[Ornery]

Awwwww, you guys don't want to support your buddy, Al Gore, and his $2.65 billion tax? Should have thought of this before you elect these turds to office! :disgust:

 

[jrichrds]

Originally posted by: nord1899
My previous apartment we did this, and we had verizon.

Get whatever you want for local plans. Get the LD plan with no montly fees, this of course means higher per-minute rates. That should get rid of or at least reduce that fee.

Verizon will charge you if you don't have a LD plan. Screwed up isn't it?

Actually, the Interstate Subscriber Line Charge isn't the monthly fee of an LD plan. The monthly fee of an LD plan, if any, is separate.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Another reason why I only have a cell phone and no landline.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
Another reason why I only have a cell phone and no landline.

Thats what I do now.

 

[jrichrds]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
Another reason why I only have a cell phone and no landline.

Needless to say, there are numerous situations in which this is still impractical.

 

[kt]

I have cell phone.. but I still need a landline. Especially since my reception isn't too great where I live. It just happens to be my house I think. If I walk up 2 blocks from my house, the reception is perfect.