Compare GTC Long Distance
IS GTC Telecom a Good Long Distance Deal? (Hint: NO!)
GTC Telecom (stock symbol: OTCBB:GTCC) probably isn't a good idea, since it looks like they have gone out of business. I tried finding them on the web when I updated this page on 1-22-2010, but their website, gtctelecom.com, was just a parked domain with ads on it. When I updated this page, I didn't update the rates, since it seemed a moot point considering that GTC telecom isn't around anymore. Just to make sure, I did a stock search for "OTCBB:GTCC", their stock is trading at $0.00 and they has a high in the last 52 weeks of 1 penny.
GTC is a company offering long distance telephone service for residential and business customers in the lower 48 states. They currently offer service for 2.9¢ per minute, but that comes with a whole lot of fees attached, and fails to mention that they have some of the highest instate long distance rates in America.
Lets take California as an example, most other long distance companies sell instate long distance service in California for between 2.9¢ and 3.9¢ per minute, and a lot of those give you 6 second rounding, which should save you an additional 30%. In California, GTC is charging 5¢ per minute with full 60 second billing and then, on top of that, they nail you with a 4% Regulatory Cost Recovery fee. The recovery fee is not mandated by the FCC or any Government body, but they make you think it is with the name "Regulatory Cost Recovery". The only thing they are really "Recovering" is more of your money.
But, that's not all, most of the other discount long distance companies on this page (at least the first 6) have good international rates without any additional fees. GTC Telecom charges their customers a ton of money to call overseas unless they pay an additional $3.99 per month for their "Global Connect" plan. Here is an example of international rates from GTC, PNG, Pioneer and Opex:
| Country |
GTC |
GTC's $3.99 Plan |
PNG |
PIONEER |
OPEX |
| France |
22¢ |
3.9¢ |
4.4¢ |
5¢ |
5.99¢ |
| Germany |
22¢ |
4.9¢ |
4.4¢ |
6¢ |
7.99¢ |
| Japan |
26¢ |
7.9¢ |
5.7¢ |
7¢ |
6.99¢ |
| Russia |
75¢ |
9¢ |
8.9¢ |
15¢ |
10.99¢ |
| United Kingdom |
13¢ |
3.9¢ |
4.4¢ |
5¢ |
6.99¢ |
From what I see in the chart above, It looks like Powernet Global has better international rates than GTC Telecom, even if you pay GTC's outlandish fee of $3.99 per month for their "Global Connect" plan.
If you are a GTC customer and need a new long distance carrier, please try one of the great companies listed below. These companies all have a good track record of innovation, customer service and all use digital lines for great sound quality. And, best of all, they are all a lot cheaper than GTC Long Distance.
- OPEX Long
Distance 2.7¢ per minute:
Opex has better customer service than GTC Telecom. And their rates are better without all the extra fees. I have been recommending Opex long distance service for years to my customers, and once a customer chooses Opex, they never switch to another company. To me, that proves how great their products and customer service really are.
- Powernet Global 3.9¢
per minute:
Powernet Global has 3 plans to choose from, including a 2.4 cent per minute business long distance account. They also have 24 hour customer service. And, don't forget, they beat GTC's Global Connection International rates hands down.
- Unitel Long Distance 3.9¢ per
minute:
Unitel long distance used to have poor customer service in the 90's, but they have great
customer service now and have improved everything about their company. I really like these guys
and have no qualms about recommending them to anyone.
- Pioneer Telephone
Company 2.7¢ to 3.3¢ per minute:
Pioneer Telephone is a good company with 2 plans to choose from. They have good customer service
which is open from 9am to 8pm eastern time.
- Total Call International
3¢ per minute:
The 3¢ plan from Total Call International offers 6 second billing with an 18 second minimum.
I hope the GTC telecom information on this page has been informative and has helped you make a better choice for which long distance service is the best for your home or business. If you are a GTC long distance customer, and are interested in switching to a new carrier, please look through the rest of this site, check rates in your area on our search tool and find the best plan available in your area. Save yourself some money and switch today!
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