Power Net Global (PNG) has changed. UCAN is no longer including the option of using Power Net Global (PNG).  In 2002, UCAN did a consumer guide and a newsletter showing PNG as a great option for long distance phone service because not only did UCAN members get installation fees waived, but there were NO monthly fees for customers using this service.  The company now charges minimum monthly usage fees and added a .99 cent monthly fee.  To top things off, PNG recently started rounding up each call to the nearest minute instead of the six-second increcements it use to use.  The bottom line is that there are better deals out there for consumers! 

So, now PNG has instituted the following charges to consumers using its service:  1) .99 cent monthly fee; 2) Minimum Monthly Usage Fee; and 3) Each call rounded up to the nearest minute even though the web site of the company still advertises billing in 6-second increments. 

Another problem with PNG is that customers who sign up, get bills & pay them electronically, had no notice of the rounding up to the nearest minute change that allegedly changed from 6-second billing increments prior to April 2008.

Whenever you are choosing phone service, go to on-line comparisons that present the facts as they are and follow up your comparison by calling a potential phone company with the comparisons in front of you to make sure you have all the facts about every statement made.  When you call a company, repeat what you have been told after asking the CS rep for his/her ID #.  It also wouldn't hurt to ask the rep if what you were promised could be sent to you in a confirmation email or fax.