Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the best way to sign up for your long distance service?

A. You can sign up right online by clicking on the "Signup Now" button on our home page.  Choose the plan that's best for you, click the button, then fill out the simple online form that appears.  Or, you can call our signup hotline and sign up over the phone:

Signup Hotline: 1-877-619-6231

Q. Is this plan a promotional rate?

A. No, this rate is NOT a promotional rate! While we cannot guarantee that your rates will never increase, we are committed to bringing our customers the best value in the communications market for years to come!

A. Neither plan charges a fee for changing carriers. However, your local phone company does charge a fee for changing your service. Here’s the good news. Our long distance companies will reimburse those fees if you mail them or fax them a copy of the charges.

A. Absolutely, just send them here to our web site and they can enjoy the same savings as you.  You may also want to consider becoming a Blessed Hope Home Agent and get a commission on every account you refer to us.

A. You will be billed and serviced by one of our partner long distance company's customer service directly (their numbers will be on your phone bill).  Or, you can call Blessed Hope at 877-619-6231 and we will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have.

Q. How will I know when my service has been switched?

A. After 7-10 days, call 1 700 555-4141 to find out who your current long distance carrier is. Once you have been switched to either Plan A or Plan B, you should hear the names of either Qwest, Global Crossing or WilTel.  These are the companies that serve as our underlying long distance carriers. Or, a quick call to your local phone company can also let you know who your existing long distance carrier is at the present time.

Q. How long should it take for my phone lines to be switched over?

A. It should take 5 to 10 business days for your line(s) to be transferred to our service. If it takes longer than this, something is wrong. Please contact our office immediately. The top reasons why your line(s) may not have been switched are as follows:

• your local telephone company does not accept electronic requests (small ones usually don't);
• your telephone number is new (our electronic request will always be "bounced" back on new numbers);
• you have a "PIC freeze” on your line (our electronic request will be denied in this situation as well); OR
• your local telephone company is a re-seller (also known as a "Local Service Provider" or LSP).
• Or, they are simply taking their time, and a quick call from you is what it takes to get it switched!

Q. What is a "pic freeze"?

A. A "pic freeze" is a preventative measure that keeps you from being "slammed" (switched with or without your authorization) to another long distance service. Unfortunately, a pic freeze will prevent us from transferring your service electronically.

Q. Should I remove the "pic freeze" from my line?

A. No, this will not be necessary. However, you will need to perform a "self pic" as described below.

Q. How do I do a "self pic"? (This is NOT necessary in most cases - Only perform a self pic if you have been specifically told to do so by either Blessed Hope, or one of our partnering long distance companies)

A. Performing a "self pic" is a two-step process:

1. First, you must determine (from us) what network your lines were provisioned over after you have signed up by e-mailing us.

2. Once you have received the correct network information, simply call your local telephone company and have them change your service to the carrier information that we provide to you (Verizon customers will also need the "Alpha Numeric" code, which we will provide as well). Make sure you have them switch your inter-state, intra-state, international, AND intra-lata (if applicable). As soon as your local telephone company makes the change in their switch, you will have our service!

Q. Will you notify me if my long distance service has NOT been transferred?

A. Yes we will, by e-mail to the address you provide in the sign up process or by postal mail if we cannot contact you via e-mail. If our electronic request gets "bounced" back for any reason, your long distance service may not be switched without your help and cooperation. All that we ask is that you pro-actively participate in the switchover process if we request your assistance.

Q. After I have been successfully transferred to your service, should I put a "pic freeze" on my line (to prevent "slamming")?

A. It might be wise if you have been victimized in the past by people changing your long distance service without your authorization.

A. Here is a quick summary:

• Interstate Calls are calls made from one state to another.
• Intrastate Calls are long distance calls made within your home state, but to an area outside of your LATA or local calling area. Usually Intrastate calls are calls made to a different area code than your own.
• Intralata Calls are long distance calls made within a specific area that are usually billed by your local phone company. Intralata calls are not the calls you make for free every month in your home area. They are long distance calls, usually made within your same area code. Changing your Intralata calling does not change your local phone service in any way. But it does usually save you a lot of money on your phone bills.

Q. What is "intra-LATA" service?

A. "LATA" stands for "Local Access Transport Area," and refers to calls that are too short to be considered "long distance," and too long to be considered "local." Some other names for this service are local toll, regional, zone calling, etc. Your local telephone company usually handles these calls. If you want your local phone company to continue to handle your intra-lata calls, please be sure to check "NO" to that question on our online sign-up form or just select "Interlata" from the menu. If your local telephone company will allow us to switch your intra-lata service (some will and some won't), and you want us to do so, please be sure to check "YES" to that question on our online sign-up form or select "Both" from the menu.  If Intra-Lata service is available in your state for 1-plus dialing (1 + (area code) + the number), we will bill you for these calls at the same per-minute rate as your in-state rate (unless otherwise specified).

Q. Your interstate rate is attractive, but my local carrier currently handles my local toll (also known as "regional," "zone calling," or "intra-lata") calls at a rate lower than what you can offer me. Can I EXCLUDE my intra-lata service, and keep it with my local telephone company?

A. Yes. There is a question on our online signup form which asks "Do your want our intra-lata service?" Just check it "NO," or select "Interlata Only" from the menu.  Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to call your local telephone company, and have them "freeze in" your intra-lata, so that you know for sure that it will not get switched.

A. Not a problem. Just e-mail Bob Ulrich at blessedhopeceo@cox.net and we will respond within 24 hours.  Or Call Al Ulrich at 877-619-6231 during normal business hours.