| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : APRIL 12, 1999 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| PERSONAL BUSINESS
How to Ring Up Deals Cellular If you travel a lot, the best plans offer a ''bucket'' of minutes for a flat monthly rate and let you roam. But if you want a cell phone just for emergencies or local use, you may do better paying a lower monthly fee and a higher per-minute rate. Calling Cards To escape cards' high rates and surcharges, either badger your provider for a lower rate or consider alternatives such as prepaid cards. Another option is a card from Voicenet, which routes calls via the Internet. Check out personal 800 numbers if most of your on-the-road calls are to your home or you have family members you want to hear from regularly. Long Distance If you're not on one of the new flat-rate plans, chances are you're paying too much. Most phone companies offer 10 cents-a-minute calling 24 hours a day, with a monthly fee of $4.95. Some offer 9 cents calls with no monthly fee if you sign up at their Web sites, view your bill online, and pay it by credit card. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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