With many long distance programs, you will find that the state-to-state (interstate) rate is widely advertised, while intrastate rates are rarely mentioned. The reason is simple. Long distance carriers know that many, if not the majority, of your long distance calls will be intrastate calls, which do not qualify for their advertised interstate rate. You may very well wind-up paying twice as much for an intrastate call as an interstate call on some calling plans.

With this plan, Cognigen set out to give customers the best of both worlds. A flat 3.45¢ rate on all state-to-state calls, and low rates (see right) on all intrastate and intralata (local long distance, or regional) calls. All domestic calls are also billed in six second increments, not rounded up to the next full minute as most other carriers do.

For those of you who choose online billing with bill pay, there is no monthly service charge on this plan. If you wish to receive a paper bill instead, you will only be billed a $1.99 fee during any month that your long distance bill is $20 or less.

So, what's the downside of this program? For those of you who make frequent international calls, this probably isn't the plan for you. CogniState's rates simply aren't as good as you will find on their other calling plans. For those of you who make frequent international calls, we would recommend the CogniWorld calling plan instead.

Also, if you don't happen to use phone service provided by a regional Bell company (SBC, BellSouth, most of Verizon), you will be charged a higher rate on CogniState (as with most other programs on this website). If you are unlucky enough to be one of the 20% of consumers who are not in a Bell area, we would recommend the AmeriCom Simplicity program instead.

All in all, CogniState is probably the best calling plan we have seen for the average long distance customer. With its low rates on both intrastate and interstate calls, no monthly fees, and excellent customer service, it's a tough plan to beat.

As with other Cognigen services, it is not possible to sign-up for their plans via telephone, or to place the order directly through your local telephone company. All orders must be placed online in order to qualify for these rates. Sales inquiries may be sent via e-mail though, and toll free customer service is available to all customers. Their toll free number is e-mailed to all new customers immediately upon enrollment.

- William Van Hefner