Maine residents who sign up for a long distance phone plan with Pioneer Telephone can get a $20 incentive to do so, according to the Maine Public Advocate Office.

The incentive is an unexpected bonus associated with the Public Advocate Office's campaign to help people trim their phone bills.
The consumer advocacy group, in its Ratewatcher Telecom Guide, recommends the Portland-based Pioneer Telephone as a money saving option for long distance service.

In response, the small long distance carrier informed the advocate office it was eligible for sales commissions.

"We said that we couldn't take money for advising consumers through our Ratewatcher Telecom Guide," Richard Davies, public advocate, said in a news release. "But we did negotiate a deal to pass along more savings to consumers."
Pioneer is recommended only for customers of "New Fairpoint" in the former Verizon territory, the release said.

To get the discount, Maine customers who dial 1-877-492-6878 to get Pioneer's service should ask for the OPA discount. Changing long distance carriers will trigger a $5 charge from local phone carrier Fairpoint, which the $20 more than compensates for, Davies noted.

The 20-page Ratewatcher Telecom Guide is available by visiting www.maine.gov/meopa or by calling 287-2445.