Long Distance Telephone Services

The Division of State Information Technology (DSIT) provides and manages long distance telephone services with a combination of contracted fiber and public switched network facilities.

Understand the Service

• Switched Long Distance
  DSIT provides a discounted outward service (formerly called Field Office Long Distance Service) to remote State agencies. The telephone number of the remote State agency is programmed, pre-subscribed inter-exchange carrier (PIC), to select the State contracted, switched long distance services provider when the agency makes intrastate or interstate long distance calls.
     
• Dedicated 800 
  DSIT has contracted with SCNet Inc. to provide dedicated telephone service, through the use of special access facilities, to State agencies and institutions that choose to offer 800 service lines for the general public to communicate with governmental entities. This service is provided at a discounted rate.
    
• Switched 800 Service
  This is the basic 800 service that DSIT has contracted with SCNet Inc. Through the use of basic switched access lines to a subscriber’s business line, customers can communicate with governmental entities. This service is provided at a discounted rate.
     
• Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) Long Distance
  Telephone calls made to any location outside the local exchange carrier local service calling area.  Charges for these calls normally appear on the LEC invoice as toll charges.
     
• Dedicated Outward Long Distance
  Dedicated outward access is a service offered by DSIT that directly connects State switches or remote locations to a carrier toll network for the purpose of placing long distance calls.
    
• Operator Services
  There are a variety of telephone services that often require the assistance of an operator. These services include calling card, collect, third-number billed calls and other operator services for the State switched and dedicated access locations.
     
• Originating 800 Service 
  DSIT has contracted with a long distance carrier to provide the State with a commission on minutes of all 1-800 calls originating from State locations.
     
• State Calling Card
  Are you often away from the office and need to make a long distance business call? Use your South Carolina State Calling Card and these domestic and international dialing tips. For information, contact the DSIT’s Petra Turner or your SCNet representative.

Rates/Pricing  

Direct Dialed:  Agencies and institutions connected to a DSIT PBX telephone switch in Columbia, Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Orangeburg or with a direct connection. Agencies are responsible for access charges to connect to the DSIT telephone switch.

Field Office (FOLDS):  Locations without a direct connection to a DSIT PBX telephone switch.

800 Services:
Special Access requires a dedicated telephone number which has standard local service monthly rate.
  
Anyline does not require a dedicated telephone number nor does it incur monthly local service rates.

Calling Card:
Calls from pay phones and or Operator Assistance may incur additional charges.

Notes:
Invoices will be from either of these two:

1. DSIT through its own telecommunications invoice, called Customer Care billing system
2. Direct from the vendor: Spirit Telecom

Long Distance calls billed by DSIT are billed based on the following formula:
(Total seconds/60) x long distance per minute rate = Charge (rounded to nearest cent)
Most outbound long distance calls are $0.04 per minute

If connected to the State's PBX network, intra-LATA calls are included in the monthly local port rate.

How We Define Our Rates
Direct Dialed –
FOLDS –
800 Services Special Access – Contract rates + regulatory fees + administrative costs
800 Services Anyline – Contract rates + regulatory fees + administrative costs/LD minutes used
Calling Card – Contract rates + regulatory fees + administrative costs

Questions? or Ready to Order
Please contact our Service Center by calling 803-896-0001 or toll-free
800-922-1367 or send an e-mail to ciohelpdesk@cio.sc.gov.

How Am I Billed?
Long Distance Telephone services are billed via the Customer Care billing system using standard State processes. Please note some charges may be directly billed by the vendor.

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