The good news: students using UTM's long distance plan don't pay a monthly fee to use the service.

The bad news: the rate students pay per minute for the service isn't the most competitive one on the market.

Currently, students utilizing the campus long distance calling plan pay 10-cents per minute from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8-cents after 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday and the whole of Saturday and Sunday with no monthly fee.

“The UT system (all campuses) has a contract with one company in an attempt to keep rates as low as possible for students,” said Cathy Brown, telecommunications specialist in Skyhawk Card Services.

Brown added that the UT system administrators accept bids from various companies before deciding on the provider. The UTM plan is available to students living on-campus and off-campus but will only work in Weakley County. As of now, students participating in the international program cannot use the service until they become full-time, full-curriculum UTM students.

Though on-campus students have no choice for direct-dial service, there are more competitive rates available from long distance service. Calling plans offered from major long distance providers have rates as low as 4.5-cents per minute for state-to-state calling or 7-cents per minute for in-state. Before consumers jump into new calling plans, they should carefully read their service contract. Some of these seemingly cheaper services find ways to tack on additional costs. One service, for example, adds an additional $2.50 to bills less than $15. Several, such as AT&T's One Rate and MCI WorldCom's Anytime Advantage, have monthly service fees.

Though dorm-dwellers at UTM are unable to change service providers, they do have other options for long distance calling. Pre-paid phone cards, which are now widely available, are a popular alternative to direct-dial long distance that many students are using. The per-minute rate on such cards is highly competitive.

Students with wireless phones may already have long distance coverage included. Many plans currently available allow nationwide calling from the home area. As long as consumers stay within their plans' included-minutes, they will have no charge for long distance.

“I tried (the UTM plan) my freshman year but decided to just use my cell phone because the long distance was included,” said Patricia Gwinn, Senior, Child and Family Studies, Memphis. Despite the limited options available for on-campus residents, those with freedom to choose their service providers should shop around for the best rate. LowerMyBills.com is a Web site that allows consumers to enter a phone number to learn what companies and rates are available in the area. Even with this shopping shortcut, read the fine print before you buy.