TelCompare.Com Review

Despite the confusing name, Opex has nothing to do with oil producing countries in the Middle East. The name Opex actually comes from the term "Operational Excellence", which Opex's management has used as a corporate slogan of sorts.

The company is based in Chicago, Illinois, and operates as a switch based reseller, utilizing the extensive international network of Global Crossing. Call quality, billing, customer service, online support and account management are all excellent. Opex provides first class customer service that is aimed at satisfying large business customers.

Like many long distance providers these days, Opex gives their best rates to customers who live in Regional Bell territories. This means that if you live in an area served by SBC, Qwest/USWest, BellSouth, SNET, or former Bell Atlantic territory, you will receive their best "Tier A" interstate and intrastate rates. The interstate rate is 2.95¢ per minute in those areas, and intrastate rates vary from excellent to ho-hum, depending upon where you live. If you happen to live in a Tier A area, Opex generally offers very good rates.

However, if you happen to live in a Tier B or C area, your rates will be considerably higher. These rates apply to customers served by parts of Verizon, Sprint United, CLECs, other competitive local providers, and smaller phone companies. Generally speaking, if you are in one of these areas you will be better off with another company.

Opex has recently changed their pricing structure, and is now aiming their business service at customers who spend at least $20 each month on long distance service. Their $2 monthly fee is waived if your combined usage is at least $20. Your total billing can include multiple locations (on a single bill), toll-free inbound and calling card usage combined, but excludes taxes.

For those of you lucky enough to reside in a Tier A area, and spend at least $20 per month, Opex offers some excellent rates on both inbound and outbound long distance service. Their intrastate rates are usually near the lower end of the scale as compared to most business programs we list.

Opex's calling card offers both international origination and termination, providing toll-free access numbers in the majority of countries overseas.

The company's online billing interface is fairly simple and straight-forward, but allows you maximum flexibility via exporting your billing info into an Excel spreadsheet or text file. Via their secure website you may make payments, check historical usage, report problems, add services, change billing options, view frequently called numbers, full calling detail, billing summary, etc. Of course, a paper bill is also provided by mail, free of charge.

Opex gives new customers 100 free state-to-state minutes, via a credit on their six month's bill. You have to use at least 100 interstate minutes that month, in order to get 100 minutes for free.

Verified (security) and non-verified accounting codes are also available free of charge.

About the only downside of this program is that they have monthly fees for inbound toll-free service, which most of the vendors on TelCompare.Com do not have. The fees are $2 per month for the first line and 53¢ per month for each additional toll free line. This is obviously not a huge amount, but you will need to take it into account when comparing Opex against other companies.

In closing, this is a great program in most areas of the country if you spend more than $20 per month on long distance service. They are a very responsive company with a good track record of serving their customers. Their underlying network, customer service, billing, provisioning, etc. is all top-notch. So, if you happen to be in Opex's target market, this is a program well worth your consideration.

- William Van Hefner