Long Distance Contract

[dialtone]

We're in the process of negotiating our LD contract and our carrier of choice is stating that no one is billing in 6 or single second increments prior to the first 30 seconds of in/out call time - that it's common practice to charge the full 30 seconds for a call that lasts even a fraction of that time. Can anyone dispute, provide info, or references to info on this?

Thanks!

 

[vaoldschl]

I am billed in 6 second increments starting with the first 6 seconds. I am not going to advertise for my carrier but I use a CLEC for everything: dial tone, frame, internet, as well as intra- and inter- LD.

 

[EPalle]

I'm billed by second.
I changed provider last year and was talking to 3 different companies. They all billed by second.

 

[dialtone]

Yes - they all bill by the second, but only after the first 30 seconds (or fraction there of - i.e. if the call terminates after 5 seconds, you're still billed 30 seconds for that call). I've only been able to find LECs and CLECs that bill in lesser primary increments, like V* who bills for the first 18 seconds or fraction thereof...anyone have any different experience?

Thanks.

 

[EPalle]

Hi Dialtone,

Sorry, forgot to mention that I'm using Versatel.
This is a provider in Europe (NL-BE-DE).
Most of the providers in Europe do per second billing.

Erik