Provisioning Information from The Discount Long Distance and Conference Call Specialists
We provide long distance and conference calling services at seriously discounted rates!
One reason for this complexity is because three companies must all work together. Your new long distance company must notify your old company of your intention to switch so your old company can close your current account. Your new company must also coordinate with your local company to get your calls routed onto their lines.
To initiate the provisioning process, a customer simply places an order for long distance service with their long distance company of choice. However, it's important to order your new service prior to stopping your old service! If you don't, you may be without long distance service for a few days. Or, for a few days, your local company may route your long distance calls to a partner company and you may pay the very high rates charged to "casual callers," long distance callers with no chosen long distance company.
After you order new service, most states require long distance companies to use a "third party verification service" to insure that YOU have chosen to switch long distance companies and not some unscrupulous company "slamming" you. Verification is often completed by an automated phone call that states the terms of your new service, asks you to verify that you have chosen it, and to confirm that you want to be switched. In states that require third party verification it is impossible for a long distance carrier to switch your service until you have verified your order.
Once you have verified your order, your new company may provide confirmation of your order. Some may provide you a PIC code to give your local phone company, most will simply forward the new PIC code to your local phone company for you. Your service will not be switched until your local phone company updates its switching equipment to route your calls to your new company using your new company's PIC code.
PIC stands for Primary Interexchange
Carrier and is telco-speak for your preselected long distance carrier.
Each carrier has a unique four digit numeric code (PIC code) and local
phone companies program this code into their switching equipment to
route your calls onto the lines used by your chosen long distance company.
If you have previously instructed your local phone company not to switch
your long distance service without your permission (called a PIC freeze)
it is impossible to complete your switch until you contact them again.
You will need to contact them to determine how they prefer to handle
this. Some local companies prefer that you remove the PIC freeze until
your switch is completed, then replace it. Others may simply allow your
account to be switched in response to your call.
You can often determine which long distance carrier is presently serving
as your preselected carrier by dialing 1-700-555-4141. A computer generated
voice tells you which carrier is carrying your calls, but this MAY NOT
be the long distance company you ordered service from. Many smaller long
distance resellers route your calls over larger carriers' networks and
it's fairly common for a discounted rate plan to use the lines of a larger
carrier. If you hear something unexpected when calling the 700 number,
contact your new long distance company and ask which carrier they use
for the long distance plan you selected. Also, be aware that some companies
may provide their own unique test number to verify their service in place
of this 700 number. Using these test numbers can often be a convenient
way to tell if and when your service is switched.
The provisioning process normally takes from 3-10 business days depending
on a number of factors including how long it takes your new company to
set up your account and how long it takes your local phone company to
update the PIC code associated with your account at their routing equipment.
But if more than 10 business days have elapsed since you placed your
order and your service has not been switched, contact your new long distance
company for help.
After your switch is completed and you are satisfied with your new service,
we recommend that you do the following:
1. Contact your old long distance company and insure that your account
is closed. Although old accounts are normally closed automatically as
part of provisioning, it is wise to insure the account is actually closed.
Doing so can help avoid unexpected charges and unpleasant surprises.
2. Contact your local phone company and request a PIC freeze on your
line to prevent slamming, the unauthorized switching of your service
to another company.
3. Finally, we recommend that you keep a close eye on your long distance
bill for the next few months to insure that you are being charged the
rates you expect to be charged for your new service.