Tips on How Students can Share A Phone Line

STUDENTS WHO SHARE TELEPHONE SERVICE HAVE BILL RESPONSIBILITY!

Sharing a telephone can be a great way to economize while attending college. However, problems can develop when roommates share a telephone and then can't or don't pay their portion of the bill. Here is some information from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to help ensure a good credit rating with the telephone company.

• If your name is listed on the telephone bill, then you are the person responsible for full payment. If roommates don't pay their portion, you must. If you are unwilling to do so, don't have the telephone put in your name.
• Some telephone companies will list more than one name on a bill. Each person named becomes responsible for full payment in the event that the others do not pay. Make sure that all parties listed understand the agreement.
• To prevent unauthorized changes to your service, request that the company flag your account so that a pass code is required before changes can be made.
• Make sure you know the details of any long distance plans you may be placed on or have selected, and the rates for long distance calls. Call your long-distance company and ask for the per-minute rates. You may budget your time and expenses wisely if you know what it is costing you per minute to talk long distance.
• Don't rely on others to take the telephone service out of your name if you move. Contact the telephone company and request termination of your service. Keep a record of the date, time and person(s) you talk to at the company. Follow up in two weeks to make sure service was terminated on the date requested.
• Some students may want to get their own telephone service. Although it costs a little more than sharing, it can prevent possible credit problems if bills go unpaid.

Here are some additional options to consider for students who share a telephone:

Prepaid Long Distance Calling Card
These cards are issued for a specific amount of money, and are usable for a specified number of calling minutes, ranging from 10 to up to 1000 minutes. With each use, the cost of the call is deducted from the card's balance. The cards are widely available - through local and long distance telephone companies, retail outlets and the Internet. Some of these cards may be "re-charged" by calling a toll-free number listed on the back of the card or by charging more minutes to a credit card. There may be a minimum fee or service charge - always read the fine print. Also, look for cards that do not expire and offer a low per-minute rate.

Pin Numbers
Some long distance telephone companies can assign a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that has to be entered when placing a call. In this way, the person responsible for the bill has more control over outgoing long distance calls.

Personal "800" Numbers
Parents may want to subscribe to a personal 800 number that their college students can use to call home. Most major carriers offer this option for families with relatives that are traveling, or living away from home. The 800 number is assigned to the parent's home phone number. This service can only be used to call that specific telephone number.

Cell Phone Service
This option can bypass the need for a standard "land-line" telephone, but requires some research to find a plan that meets the student's calling needs. Look for a calling plan that covers the geographic area you expect to be calling - roaming charges for calls to destinations outside your home area can be expensive. Look for a service provider that includes the features you are interested in as part of its standard package. Check to see if a cell phone contract has a termination fee if you cancel the service early.

Source: State of Michigan, Public Services Commission, Consumer Alert