PowerNet Global Long Distance | by Ampol Telecom |
| Q. | How am I billed? |
| A. | You will be getting a monthly bill directly from PNG. You can pay by check or, if you prefer, you can use the Auto-pay option (credit card). |
| Q. | What is my commitment? |
| A. | None. No contracts, no term agreements, no minimums. PNG provides services to customers on a non-term-contract basis because PNG believes that the total value will keep customers with the company. |
| Q. | What's the cost for long distance calls? |
| A. | It's 3.9¢ or 4.5¢ a minute for state-to-state calls for either outbound calls or inbound 800 calls. The in-state and international rates differ depending on the destination. |
| Q. | What are my billing increments? |
| A. | Calls are billed in 6-second increments for 4.5¢ and in 1-minutes for 3.9¢. |
| Q. | Do the rates change during different periods of the day? |
| A. | No. These rates stay the same, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. |
| Q. | Are all of my phone numbers eligible with no monthly fee? |
| A. | All phone numbers (home and business) can be added for no additional monthly fee. There are no additional fees at all for residential lines. All phone numbers located within the continental U.S. are eligible unless they are pay phones or cellular phones. Multiple telephone lines at each address are subject to the mandated FCC charges. |
| <Q. | What are taxes and other fees? |
| A. | PNG, as required, collects federal and local taxes. See sample bill. Federal Excise Tax - This tax is imposed on amounts paid by the users of communications services. It is 3% of all usage. Federal Telecommunications Relay Service Fund - supports people with hearing and/or speech disabilities who use text telephones to talk with people who use standard telephones. This is collected at 0.08% of interstate and international usage. FCC Common Carrier Fee - An FCC regulatory fee to recover the annual costs of its enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. This is collected at 0.15% of interstate and international usage. Network Access Charge - The Network Access Charge item combines the Universal Service Fee and various carrier fees. It is collected at 10.9% of all usage plus PIC fees. State and local taxes - they vary greatly by state and municipality. |
| <Q. | Does PNG offer Account Codes? |
| A. | PNG offers Account Codes (PACs). There is no additional charge for business customers. |
| Q. | How long before my account will be activated? |
| A. | Normally, it takes approximately 7-10 business days to become active after your order is placed. |
| Q. | What happens when I sign-up for the Service? |
| A. | We should have you switched within a few days. If you have any questions, you can call our Customer Care Service Center at 1-800-860-9495 24-hours per day 7 days a week . |
| Q. | Do I stay with my local telephone company for local calls? |
| A. | Your local telephone company will continue to provide your local telephone service. Your local long distance (local toll service), in most cases, can also be switched to our service. Please call customer service. |
| Q. | What does it cost for Directory Assistance? |
| A. | Directory Assistance is .69 cents per call. |
| Q. | Are there any sign-up or installation fees? |
| A. | There are no sign-up fees. However, your local phone company may charge a "fee per phone line" for switching services. In this instance, you may receive a credit for this amount. To qualify for this credit, your lines must remain active on our service for three invoice periods. Refund requests must be submitted within six months of your original order along with a copy of your local telephone bill, which indicates the fee. Please fax this information to 877-276-4674 Attn: Order Entry. |
| Q. | Is there any risk that I will be "slammed?" |
| A. | "Slamming" is a telephone industry term for switching a customer from one long-distance company to another, without the customer's consent. We expressly forbid this practice. To make sure slamming never occurs, we use a careful, methodical way of confirming all orders. Either we use Third-Party Verification - where an outside company verifies and records your explicit consent to switch service - or we use a your digital signature on your online application. Adding a PIC Freeze to your telephone line(s) is also a good way to deter slamming after your service has been switched. |
| Q. | Do I have to do anything special to cancel my existing service with my current long distance provider? |
| A. | No, unless you have a PIC Freeze on your account, you do not need to do anything. We will take care of everything for you. |
| Q. | What is the difference between Interstate and Intrastate? |
| A. | Interstate refers to calls made from state to state. Intrastate refers to calls made within your own state. Intra-Lata calls are calls made within your local long distance area. |
| Q. | How do I get a free toll-free number? |
| A. | You can either request your toll-free number when you sign up, or call the PNG agent at 1-877-550-5918 at a later time. And if you have an existing toll-free number, as long as you don't have an outstanding balance from your previous carrier or a shared 800 number, we can change it to the new service. So you can keep the number you already have. |
| Q. | How long does it take to get a new toll-free number? |
| A. | About 14 days after an order is placed for the service. |
| Q. | Will I save money on my toll-free number? |
| A. | Absolutely. Our toll-free 800 rates are the same as our one-plus (direct dial) rates - 3.9¢ or 4.5¢ state-to-state calls in six-second increments. And there are no other charges for each call. In fact, there are no other charges at all. For calls coming in from your own state, you'll pay economical Intrastate rates based on your specific state. |
| Q. | I have a toll free number; can I keep the same number and switch my service? |
| A. | Yes, in most instances, you should be able to keep your existing toll free number. There is a form that needs to be filled out. You will need to fax or mail a copy of your most recent bill from your current 800 service provider and the transfer form to our customer service center. This switch usually occurs within 14 business days. |
| Q. | I have a PIC Freeze on my line? Can I still use the Long Distance Service? |
| A. | Yes. When you place your order and your verification process has been completed, you will need to call your local telephone company and ask that the freeze be removed. Our Customer Care Associates can give you the proper code to use when you call your local telephone company. Please call with any questions. |
| Q. | I'm concerned about my privacy. What is your privacy policy? |
| A. | Many people are concerned about privacy. Our policy is straightforward: We value and respect your privacy. Your information will not be sold or given to any other company. |
| Q. | How can I check who is my long distance company for international calls? |
| A. | An international call is any toll call to a destination outside 48 contiguous United States of America. The current International Long Distance Provider can be determined by dialing 1-700-555-4141. |
| Q. | How can I check who is my long distance company for inter-state calls? |
| A. | When a call is placed to another state, it is considered an Interstate long distance call. Interstate long distance calls also requires the user to dial "1" plus an area code before dialing the 7-digit telephone number. The current Interstate Long Distance Provider can be determined by dialing 1-700-555-4141. |
| Q. | How can I check who is my long distance company for intra-state calls? |
| A. | If a state has multiple regional calling areas, a call may be placed from one regional calling area to another within the same state; This type of call is an intrastate call. This type of call also requires the user to dial "1" plus an area code before dialing the 7-digit telephone number. A long distance phone company is the only type of company able to provide this type of service. The current Intrastate Long Distance Provider can be determined by dialing 1-700-555-4141. |
| Q. | How can I check who is my long distance company for regional calls? |
| A. | A regional toll call requires that the user to dial "1" plus an area code before dialing the 7-digit telephone number. Any call made to a destination outside the local calling area but within the LATA is considered a regional toll call. A local telephone service provider typically provides and bills for regional toll calls. It is possible however, in states where the Regional Toll market has been opened up to competition, another carrier may be chosen to provide this service; This is known in the industry as "intraLATA presubscription." The chosen Regional Toll Provider can be determined by dialing 1-(area code)-700-4141. |
| Q. | Whom can I call if I have more questions? |
| A. | After receiving your welcome letter, you may call our Customer Care Service Center 24-hours a day, 7 days a week 1-800-860-9495, press 4 (if asked for an agent/reseller code give AMP) or click here. |