We have had a large number of queries about dial arounds and what they do or how they work. We have listed below the most commonly received queries and our responses. Please do no hesitate to contact us with queries. You can e-mail us here. You can also fill in the query form which is here.

Q) Who is my long distance carrier if I use a dialaround?
A) Your long distance carrier remains unchanged as dialaround and call back services are parrallel services and you can switch at will without effecting your status quo.

Q) Is a dialaround service suitable for international calls from the US?
A) Absolutely! Most 1010 plans are specifically designed to permit international and local calls. The carriers are offering the power of their specific infrastiructure and these services are ideal for this application. In particular the heavy international user is particaularly suite to dial around systems.

Q) Why are these services able to offer cheaper calls?
A) Predominantly these carriers have different switching systems and exchange to exchange agreements. They also may just be physically bigger and operate on larger volumes. This enbales them to offer cheaper service. It may enble them to offer cheaper service to specific destinations. You need to do the homework and compare rates.

Q) How do I actually make a call?
A) Lets start by saying each carrier has a specific 1010### number this is like an ID number which identifies who the carrier is. This is how the rates you are charged is determined. In the instructions below ### is used as a generic number. The ### will actually be 3 digits specific to your particular dialaround. (DO NOT DIAL three hashes (#s) it will not work). You will need the three numbers for your dialaround service. ( See a more comprehensive description below.)

In the US & Canada:
Dial 1010 + ### + 1+ area code + number.

To make an international calls:
Dial 1010 + ### + 011 + country code + number.

Q) What is this 1010 bit all about?
A) Each carrier has a specific PIC code. (PIC = "Primary intraLata Carrier"). In the US this code starts with the digits 1010 and is followed by a three digit number which identifies the specific carrier. Do not get mixed up with a shortened PIC.

Q) Why do some dialarounds need me to dial an access number for service.
A) Like all things each provider offers different services. The carriers that do this are just transferring your call into their particular switch. There is no problem with this and the good ones are cheap and efficient! Often the companies with local access numbers will offer a saving of 4-5c/minute for using their access numbers!

Q) What happens if I get disconnected in the middle of a call?
A) Just redial. Make sure your carrier has no surcharge. If they do you will pay it twice!

Q) My call didn't go through! What do I do?
A) The obvious thing is to check that you used the correct dialaround code. Circuits do get busy and this often occurs at specific times. Try you call at a different time. If you did all this and you still can't get through call customer service. Sometimes the phone from which you are dialling does not have a billing agreement with the dialaround provider. Customer service should tell you this. Change providers if you call from that area regularly and you have continuous difficulty. There are plenty of dialaround carriers about - don't settle for second best.

Q) Can I use a dialaround service from a payphone?
A) Yes. In general dialaround services work like a calling card. Service may be subject to a payphone surcharge. This charge compensates the Payphone owner for using their equipment and ranges from 30c to 50c US.

Q) Can I use a dialaround service from a mobile phone?
A) It is certainly possible. It depends on your mobile service provider. You may also pay mobile time on top of the dialaround service. Mobile services generally dont like re-routing as they are loosing airtime.

Q) I own a small business can I use dialaround through my PABX?
A) Depends on the PABX and your local phone company.

Q) Can I call when I am in another country?
A) In principle the answer is No! Some services are expanding and service may be available in the future. If you are going to be calling from another country you need either a call back service or an iternational calling card. International calling cards are also called global roaming cards.

Q) Is service available throughout the US?
A) Generally yes. There are exceptions and it does depend on a pre-existing billing agreements with the local exchange carriers. Since most of the traffic is carried by the really big infrastructure owners there is not normally a problem.

Q) Do I have to dial from specific numbers?
A) It depends on the dialaround carrier. Some require specific numbers and some don't. Some carriers also have "follow me" services.

Q) What the difference between a dial around service and a calling card?
A) Essentially nothing. When you use a calling card you are accessing a third party infrastructure to carry your call. Calling cards have become confused with dial arounds. Calling cards are basically portable dialarounds.

Q) Do dialaround service costs get cheaper at off peak times?
A) Generally No. Most services are flat rate.

Q) What does Flat Rate mean?
A) A flat rate means you pay one rate, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You sometimes see this represented like this 24/7/365. There is no different in day time, night time or week-end calling. The rate is also unchanged on Pubic Holidays!

Q) Do dialaround rates vary?
A) Indeed they do. All the good companies renegotiate rates all the time. They are not OBLIGED to tell you about rate changes. Check your dialaround service's rate tables on a regular basis! The good companies will advise you as a courtesy.

Q) Do I pay a call surcharge or a connection fee?
A) Generally No! Like all things there are exceptions. Some carriers have a monthtly fee. Shop around and read the fine print.

Q) Is there a minimum usage requirement?
A) There may well be. Minimum usages come in two forms. Firstly there is a dollar limit. This means you get charged a minimum value even if you didn't make calls to that value. Then there is the minimum time form. In this instance the dialaround company has two rates and the cheaper rate only kicks in after you have talked for say 20 minutes. You need to watch out for this and avoid the carrier if you make either short duration calls or a small number of calls in a single month.

Q) How do I get billed?
A) Dialarounds can be prepaid or monthly billed. Both forms are common. You can often choose to view your bill online. You can also generally get an itemized paper bill.
Pre paid versions will generally advise you of your current credit balance. Remember it is completely separate from your long distance bill.

Q) Are their Taxes or other Fees?
A) Yes there are. Your provider will either add them into the rates or add a percentage at the end of the bill. This is a Federal requirement and there isn't anything you can do about it. These charges can include a USF fee and local taxes.

Q) Why do I have to contribute to the USF?
A) The USF (Universal Service Fund) is a mandatory fund established by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). It helps provide affordable telecommunications services for low income customers and customers in rural areas. It also provides discounts on Internet access for eligible schools, libraries and rural health care providers.

Q) How do I terminate service?
A) Make sure you are not locked into a time based contract. Normally just call customer service and cancel service. We advise that you follow with a fax, mail or e-mail so that there is a written record of the cancellation.

Q) What problem can I expect with a dialaround service?
A) We have dedicated a full page to this. You can review it here.

Q) Do you have a list of dialaround access codes?
A) We do. It is not complete but the ones we do have are here.