SaveOnPhone.com has designed this website to help explain MCI's new "Neighborhood" calling plan in our own words and give you some of our own opinions about the plan. For several years, our company has analyzed long distance rate information from the hundreds of companies in the industry. We have assisted customers in comparing the multitude of rates and pointing out the lowest plans available.

In order to help you compare MCI's Neighborhood Plan to your specific calling patterns, we have included our new PhoneSaver calculator. This is the most comprehensive long distance calculator on the Internet and will instantly compare monthly bill estimates from 25 reliable and respected providers. We suggest that you use the calculator first to get an idea of what you are now paying and what you could pay with other companies. Then read through our Frequently Asked Questions below the calculator to find out more about MCI's Neighborhood Plan. In our opinion, it will be the lowest solution for only a few people; most others would be better served picking the lowest rate carrier from our calculator. There are other Unlimited Plans available as well.

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What is The Neighborhood by MCI?

MCI has just released a new unlimited calling plan, The Neighborhood. The Neighborhood offers both local and long distance calling for one fixed monthly fee, competing directly with regional phone companies and wireless phone plans. Combining local and long distance calling into one price and one bill seems like a good idea, but the average household should closely analyze their monthly local and long distance bills and calling needs to determine if this plan will save them money. The plan is currently available in 32 states.

How much will it Cost Per Month?

The Neighborhood monthly rate varies by state, from $49.99- $59.99. The rate does not include the surcharges, taxes and fees that users will also pay. In some states like California, there could be an additional eight surcharges, taxes or fees. The fees are the same as those found on local and long distance bills, including the Network Access Charge that is typically $5 per month and the USF fee (Universal Service Fund) for long distance calls. MCI charges a high USF fee of 9.9% on interstate and international calls.

Will the Average User save Money with The Neighborhood?

According to the FCC, in 2000 the average household spent $53 per month for local and long distance bills ($35 for local and $18 for long distance). The average household will actually pay more for The Neighborhood service.

Who Benefits by Using The Neighborhood?

The Neighborhood would seem to be a good option for the heavy telephone user whose spends over $70 per month on long distance and local bills. It is also a good solution for cell phone users who have turned to cellular plans for unlimited long distance calling but still pay a high local phone bill. There are attractive features which are included in The Neighborhood plan, including voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, speed dialing and 3-way calling. Some people will be happy to pay more just to combine local and long distance charges onto one bill. The Neighborhood also offers an Airline Rewards program with a variety of participating airlines. The Airline Rewards Program is not available for existing MCI customers. New customers must remain with MCI through time of fulfillment to receive the bonus miles. Customers must remain with The Neighborhood for 60 days to receive the total 3,000 miles.

Does the Monthly Fee Include Fees, Taxes and Surcharges?

No. The monthly rate does not include the fees, taxes and surcharges that users will pay. In some states like California, there could be an additional eight surcharges, taxes or fees. The fees are the same as those found on local and long distance bills, including the Network Access Charge that is typically $5 per month and the USF fee (Universal Service Fund) for long distance calls. MCI charges a high USF fee of 9.9% on interstate and international calls. To estimate the charges you will pay, look at the taxes and surcharges on your current local and long distance bill. You will also pay these with The Neighborhood plan. Take note of the USF fee on your long distance bill. The more long distance minutes you call, the higher this fee will be. The USF fee varies by carrier and MCI charges a high 9.9% for this fee.

Is There a Contract or Minimum Sign up Time?

No, there is no contract or penalty for discontinuing The Neighborhood at any time.

What about Calling Cards and International Calls?

The Neighborhood plan does not offer savings for callers who frequently use calling cards or make international calls. The calling card rate is $.35 cents per minute with a $.75 per call surcharge. There is a $4.00 monthly fee for the international calling plan.

How Can I Find the Lowest Rates for My Long Distance Calling?

Go to SaveOnPhone.com, the long distance comparison site that helps consumers quickly and easily find the provider with the lowest rates and fees. SaveOnPhone.com has the most comprehensive long distance calculator on the Internet, providing information on over 25 long distance carriers. Simply enter the state of residence and the number of interstate and intrastate minutes called each month. The calculator immediately estimates the monthly bill, including fees, and ranks the carriers in order of savings. Rates can be found as low as 3.9 cents per minute with 6 second billing increments.

Who Is SaveOnPhone.com?

Developed as a consumer resource, SaveOnPhone.com analyzes and reviews long distance plans and reports on industry trends. ConsumerSearch.com has ranked the website the #1 consumer resource site for comparing long distance rates. SaveOnPhone.com has been recognized by national consumer publications and nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn as one of the best sites for long distance comparison shopping. SaveOnPhone.com has helped over 1,000,000 consumers compare long distance rates since it began in April of 1999. It has been mentioned in over 200 newspapers and magazines as well as on over 100 television stations. SaveOnPhone.com has also analyzed the recent FCC's detariffing regulations at Detariff.com and ATT's new Unlimited Plan at Long-Distance-Rates.org.