Comparing Telephone Rates
For today’s telephone customers, what was once a simple bottom-line comparison – i.e., comparing one carrier’s rates to the rates of another -- has now become a much more challenging task. In recent years, the FCC regulations involving long-distance service and toll carriers have been relaxed. Toll carriers can now add charges without much oversight. Some carriers may include fees or charges that are not included in their advertised prices. Often these charges are difficult to identify before a customer signs up.
When considering local telephone and long-distance services, we recommend asking each carrier for the actual bill total prior to signing up. The rates shown online are often base rates for service and do not include any additional taxes or fees. The true total should include all taxes, surcharges, and fees associated with the carrier’s various plans. If a carrier can’t or won’t provide this information, it’s a good sign you should take your business elsewhere.
All providers offer feature 
Some providers offer feature 
None of the providers offer feature 
| Feature | Landline | Wireless | Cable | VOIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911 |  |
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| E911 |  |
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| Service continues in power outage? |  |
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| Service contract required |  |
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| White page listing |  |
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| Vision/Hearing Impaired |  |
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| Lifeline service |  |
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| Keep your old number with new service |  |
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| Unlimited long distance plans available |  |
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| Unlimited local plans available |  |
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| Caller ID, Voicemail, Call waiting and other features |  |
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| Use while traveling |  |
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| Internet connection required |  |
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| Service quality overseen by the Maine Public Utilities Commission |  |
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Local Residential Telephone Service
For a map showing service provide territories, please visit the Maine Public Utilities Commission.