$20 long-distance credit to be reduced April 1,
Pioneer Rate-buster Plan still among nation’s best
March 22, 2010 Chicago—A $20 credit associated with one of the best long-distance deals in the nation, Pioneer Telephone’s Rate-buster Plan, is set to be reduced to $10 beginning April 1.

CUB issued a consumer alert reminding Illinois phone customers about the plan, which offers AT&T and Verizon local-phone customers rates of just 1.9 cents per minute for in-state local-toll and long-distance calls (beyond 15-17 miles from home), and 2.7 cents per minute for out-of-state calls.

Residents of other parts of Illinois pay 4.9 cents per minute for an in-state long-distance call and 3.3 cents per minute for a call to another state. Although these rates are slightly higher, they’re still among the best in the long-distance market.

“No question, Pioneer Telephone’s Rate Buster plan is a good deal, and it will still be after April 1,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “But Illinois consumers who want to get the company’s one-time $20 credit need to sign up before the end of the month.”

For the average caller making about 200 minutes of long-distance calls a month (100 in-state, 100 out-of-state), Pioneer’s Rate-buster Plan beats out offers from AT&T and Verizon, as the chart shows.


Plan
Monthly Fee
Per Minute Rate
Pre-tax Total for 200 Minutes of Calling
AT&T One Rate Basic
 $0 12¢
 $24
Verizon 5 Cents
 $6 5¢
 $16
Pioneer Rate-buster
 $.99 1.9-2.7¢
 $5.99


AT&T's One Rate Basic plan and Verizon's 5 Cents plan are typical long-distance offers. Customers must often choose between paying for a plan with a low per-minute rate but a hefty monthly fee, or paying a high per-minute rate with a low or no monthly fee.

Pioneer charges customers a 99-cent monthly fee, but the charge is waived for consumers who choose online billing, or make more than $15 worth of long-distance calls. That low fee, combined with one of the lowest per-minute rates in the nation, makes Pioneer a great deal for many Illinois callers.

To sign up, call Pioneer, at 1-877-492-6878, or use this special webpage.

Visit CUB’s Phone Savings Center for more money-saving phone tips, including information on low-cost Consumer’s Choice local-calling plans, which AT&T is forced to offer under a legal settlement with the consumer group.

Some testimonials CUB has received about Pioneer:

“I switched to Pioneer phone service in July 2009 for my long-distance and toll calls. I love it!!! I am still using my $20 credit. My phone bill (AT&T) is about $25 less a month...I have also referred one friend and have an additional $10 credit. I plan on referring more friends. I can't believe how much I have saved!! Thank you.” –Deborah, New Lenox

“We switched to Pioneer long distance in March 2009. As of our last billing statement, we still had a credit balance of $16.70. With our CUB credit and Pioneer's low rates, we have not paid for long distance in over a year!” –Nikki

“Switching from AT&T was the BEST fiscally responsible thing I've even done! Right off the bat I was saving the $10/month for the privilege of just having long distance service....Why on Earth would I give AT&T my hard-earned money—they're worth gagillions! Thanks to CUB and Pioneer, I stay in touch with those I love at a price I can afford.” –Cathleen