Long distance info

Your old discussion is over 7 month old.  This can't be too important if you let it ride for that long.

Here is a link to Cox LD rates: http://www.cox.com/residential/phone/regulatory.cox?reload#tab-3

In my market, the basic rate is $0.18/min with no monthly fee.

Don't forget, you must dial "1" if it's a long distance call even within the state.  Different area codes don't necessary indicate long distance.  I can dial parts of 4 area codes as local calls.  If it is truly a local call to a different area code, just dial the area code+number, no "1".  Check with customer service, they should be able to help you.

So because I've been busy and work a lot it's not important to me now? I waited a month or two for it to start working, and it never did.  Looks like there are some out there for .03 to .05 per minute which sounds much better. I just have to figure out how to make it work with Cox.

Thanks

Yes, there are lower cost alternatives to Cox LD but most require a monthly payment in addition to the per min rate.  Get yourself a Google Voice number and you can make long distance calls to the USA and Canada for free ... no monthly fee, no per min. cost, completely free.

I'll read some more about Google Voice, not sure I understand the concept, it seems to focus on voicemail and incoming calls... not very clear.

okcbaker said:

I'll read some more about Google Voice, not sure I understand the concept, it seems to focus on voicemail and incoming calls... not very clear.

Yes it does focus on incoming calls but since it's integration into Hangouts it's become a full VoIP service.  It can do most of what Cox phone does except it doesn't provide E911.  On the plus side, it does free spam blocking, a feature Cox is missing.  I use it and my cell phone for all my long distance calling ... I regularly talk to friends 1200 miles away and never pay anything.

I feel your pain! In Rhode Island there is only ONE area code... 401
And the state is 45 miles wide by 85 miles long...
If you make a call to a town that does not touch your town... there is a fee!!!
If you call Out of State there is a similar fee as the "In State" fee... .03c - .05c/minute

COME ON COX - What is wrong with this picture??? !!!   In State = Out of State fee's...

REALLLLLLYYYY????????

What you are describing, OneAreaCode401, is the norm for long distance carriers today.  It's been that way for years now, the cost for intraLATA (local long distance) is the same or greater than the cost for interLATA (interstate) calls.  It's nothing new and not unique to Cox.  Years ago long distance rates were set by distance, not so today.

As I've said, I use Google Voice for long distance calling, it's free for calls from the US to the USA (including Alaska & Hawaii), Puerto Rico and Canada and only $0.02/min for calls to landlines in Australia.  A penny a minute for landline calls to London, Paris, Rome or Mexico but $0.10/min for calls to the Bahamas.  So, you see, rates are not set by distance.

Only suggestion is to shop around for your long distance carrier, rates vary tremendously.

You use Google Voice for LD on your Cox home phone?

Yes, you just have to rethink how you make calls.  With Google Voice and a landline like Cox, you place the call from your computer.  Go to the Voice inbox and you will see a red "Call" button.  Hit it and enter the number to be called.  Google Voice will call your Cox landline, once answered it will make the connection to the called number ... both are treated as incoming calls so no toll charge.  I believe you can also initiate the call from a smartphone but don't use it as I also have unlimited calling from my cell.