Some area utility services for students living off campus:
• Local phone:
SBC Ameritech - Packaged services range from $29.95 to $49.95: (866)999-6181; www.ameritech.com.
AT&T - Packaged services range from $30.95 to $34.95: (800)222-0300; www.attconsumer.com.
TDS Metrocom - Packaged services ranging from $24-$37: (877)METOCOM; www.tdsmetro.com.
• Long distance:
AT&T - The One Rate plan offers 7 cents per minute, both in-state and state-to-state, with a $3.95 monthly fee: (800)222-0300; www.attconsumer.com.
MCI - The Anytime Advantage Savings plan has the 7-cent rate for state-to-state calls and 14 cents for in-state calls. The monthly fee for this plan is $2.95: (800)444-3333; www.mci.com.
Qwest - 5-cent Calling Plan offers 5 cents a minute calling all day, every day on calls outside the state for $3.95 monthly if you choose online billing. In-state calls are 11 cents: (800)860-2255; www.quest.com.
Sprint - 7 cents AnyTime offers state-to-state calls for 7 cents a minute and 10 cents a minute in-state for $5.95 monthly: (800)877-4646; www.sprint.com.
• Cable:
AT&T Broadband - Basic cable starts out under $9 per month for local channels, with a step up to expanded cable increasing the cost to about $36. Digital cable starts at $43, increasing to more than $83 for access to every channel in the area, including premium movie channels: (888)824-8058; www.attbroadband.com.
DirecTV - The Total Choice package starts at $32 per month for 110 channels. The dish and installation are currently free, not including a $14.95 charge for shipping and handling.
• Internet:
ACD.net - Digital Subscriber Lines, a digital Internet service that typically runs on a dedicated phone line, is available for $50 per month. Installation is free with a two-year contract and costs $199: (877)422-3638; www.acd.net.
AT&T Broadband - High-speed Internet service costs about $46 per month, plus $50 for installation, which is currently free for new subscribers. The service does not tie up your phone line as it runs via cable, and includes e-mail, a lease on a modem, and technical support: (888)824-8151; www.attbroadband.com.
MichNet - MSU students, faculty and staff members living off campus can connect to the Internet for free using their pilot login. The dial-up number for the MichNet service is (517)999-2678: www.msu.edu/user/cic/dialup/terminal.html .
Source: The State News
