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What are Dial-Arounds?
Dial-arounds, also known as 10-10 numbers, are prefixes that you dial before a phone number to "dial around" your existing long distance carrier.
That is, you can use a dial-around right away to get a lower rate than your existing long distance carrier- without switching your existing long distance carrier. You can also use a dial-around to dial long distance even if you haven't already chosen a long distance carrier. In either case, your charges normally appear on your usual bill from your local carrier.
How do Dial-Arounds work?
A carrier that provides dial-around phone service typically sets up circuits and makes billing agreements with local carriers across the country. This allows you to access the dial-around carrier's network by dialing a code or prefix to access its network. This prefix or "dial-around number" is typically a 7-digit number in the form 1010nnn or 1015nnn where "nnn" represents a unique 3-digit series.
Because it is not always possible to make billing agreements or set up circuits with each local carrier, a particular dial around may require billing directly from the carrier providing the dial-around number (rather than on your local carrier's bill) or in some cases it may not be available in your area.
What should I be aware of when choosing a Dial-Around?
A dial-around long distance carrier can set up more than one circuit and assign a different dial-around number to it- hence some carriers offer several dial-around options. The reason a carrier may offer more than one dial-around number is that each number corresponds to a different rate or condition for using that particular dial-around service.
Many carriers have several dial-arounds for different usage patterns. Each carrier and each dialaround may have its own characteristics, including domestic and international rates and other dialing and billing features so it is important to review each carefully.
Different dial-around numbers allow you to choose the one that works best for you at any given time. You can also use a dial-around when you want to separate call charges on your bill (for example a roommate or family member may use a dial-around number to indicate their calls).
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