Glossary of Long Distance Service Related Terms

Measured Service

Network service that is billed by the time and/or distance involved in setting up and maintaining service.

Minimum Call Length

Some telecommunications providers require that each call be at least some minimum number of minutes in length. The provider will charge you at for at least this minimum length of time independent of whether your call lasted that long or not. This is a very common tactic used by dial-around service providers.

Minimum Monthly Bill

This is a non-technical term to identify the minimum amount you will be charged per month for a calling plan. This amount may include the monthly service charge, Monthly Minimum Usage Charge, PICC, and USF charges. Visit our Understanding Monthly Charges page for more information.

Minimum Point of Entry(MPOE)

The minimum point of entry where the demarc will be placed for PSP Pay Telephones, usually located where existing telephone service enters into a building and/or location.

Mobile Rate

The rate you will be charged when you call a mobile phone in another country. Some long distance companies have different rates for international calls to mobile phones versus international calls to regular phone lines.

Monthly Business Line Charge

Carriers may assess a monthly charge for each business line a customer has.

Monthly Fee

Aka: Monthly Fee. Some calling plans charge you a per month fee simply for subscribing to or using its service. It is a set fee regardless of how many calls you make each month. The Monthly Service Charge differs from a Monthly Minimum Usage Charge fee. Visit our Understanding Monthly Charges page for more information.

Monthly Minimum

For certain rate plans, long distance companies require a certain dollar amount of usage per month. If the monthly minimum is not met, a charge is often incurred.

Monthly Minimum to Avoid Penalty

Some companies charge a fee if you do not spend a certain amount each month. (See Less Than Minumum Penalty)

Monthly Minimum Usage Charge

This fee is charged by some carriers if your specific rate plan has volume requirements, meaning that you must make a certain dollar amount of calls per month. For example, a plan may require that you make at least $10.00 a month worth of phone calls. If you do not make $10.00 worth of calls, the carrier will charge you the difference as a fee. If, for instance, your plan requires a $10.00 minimum per month and you only made $6.00 of calls, you would see the remaining $4.00 as a monthly charge. The Monthly Minimum differs from the Monthly Service Fee. Visit our Understanding Monthly Charges page for more information.

Monthly Recurring Charge(MRC)

Charges that will appear on your telephone bill for requested services every month.

Monthly Service Charge - Aka: Monthly Fee

Some calling plans charge you a per month fee simply for subscribing to or using its service. It is a set fee regardless of how many calls you make each month. The Monthly Service Charge differs from a Monthly Minimum Usage Charge fee. Visit our Understanding Monthly Charges page for more information.

MRC (Monthly Recurring Cost)

A customer's fixed costs for service that recur on a monthly basis and do not depend upon usage or volume.

MSA

Metropolitan Statistical Area.