FREQUENTLY ASKED CUSTOMER QUESTIONS

• Who is Down Home Telephone?  Down Home Telephone (“DHT”) is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”).  DHT provides prepaid local phone service for its customers.  DHT tailors its services for those customers who do not want to be in a debt situation to a phone service provider or for those who can not otherwise find a carrier who will provide them services for whatever reasons.
   

• If Sprint, BellSouth, Budget, dPi or any other phone company has disconnected me, will DHT still provide me phone service?  Definitely yes!  It doesn’t matter if you have been disconnected by someone else, if you have outstanding unpaid bills elsewhere, if you have bad or no credit, cannot afford a large security deposit, have no steady job or permanent address or Social Security number or ID; DHT can still help you.
   

• Is there a security deposit or credit check required?  No, DHT's local service is prepaid so you don’t have to worry about credit checks or security deposits, your payment record with other phone companies or things like high deposits, no steady job or permanent address or ID, etc.
   

• What information do I need to provide when I apply for service?  All you need is your name and address.

• Can I use this service for the Internet?  Yes, as long as your Internet dial-up is a local call.
   

• What is considered my local calling area?   This usually includes your immediate local calling area only.  It was probably the same area that you had with your previous phone company.
   

• Do I need to provide my own telephone? Yes, DHT does not provide any telephone equipment required for service.
   

• Can I get this service as an additional line?  Yes. It will require an additional activation for that line and DHT must be made aware that you are requesting an additional line. Also, your home must already be wired to have 2 lines.
   

• What if my house/apartment does not have phone jacks?  DHT does not provide telephones or telephone jacks.  These products and their installation service are available from other sources like contractors and electricians.
   

• Does DHT install or fix lines and jacks? No, DHT doesn’t provide any hardware support.
   

• What services does DHT offer?  DHT provides prepaid local telephone service to consumers.  DHT also provides account maintenance in that it will notify you when your prepaid services are about to expire so you’ll be able to prepay. 
   

• What does prepaid local telephone service include?  Basic local residential service includes unlimited local calling in your calling area, access to 911 emergency services, and all toll free calls.
   

• What additional services are available?  At additional cost you may purchase an Unpublished Number, Call Waiting, Caller ID and Call Forwarding.  The costs for these additional services are listed on the application form.
   

• Is there a customer referral program at DHT?  Yes - DHT offers a referral program that will give you $5 off your next bill when you refer a friend and your friend will receive $5 off their initial payment.  This is available for each customer you refer to us.
   

• How long does it take to get connected?  Once your initial payment has been received it takes 3 to 14 business days for your service to be activated.  DHT has no control over this as we must rely on the telephone line provider to do the connection and it depends on that company’s workload exactly when this will occur.  But, the time to connect usually takes approximately 5 days or less.
   

• How will I know my phone number?  Call DHT at 1-877-601-7466 to receive your activation date and telephone number.  Typically, this information is available within 1-2 business days after placing the order for new telephone service.
   

• Who provides my customer service?  DHT maintains a customer service department and will provide all of your customer service needs.  If you have problems with your service, just call us and one of our friendly representatives will take care of you.
   

• What are your Call Center hours?  Our call center is available to serve you 7 days a week, from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm EST.
   

• Can I make long distance calls?  DHT does not provide long distance service.  However, such service is easy to access with a prepaid calling card available from many other sources.
   

• Can I receive long distance calls?  Yes, you can receive long distance if you have DHT phone service as the cost of incoming long distance calls is paid by the caller.
   

• Can I receive collect calls?  You may make collect calls, but may not receive them.
   

• Is my service with DHT transferable from one address to another if I move?  Yes, for a fee of $25.00.
   

• Will my telephone number be in the phone book?  Yes, unless you purchase an “unpublished Number” option (see below).
   

• What if I do not want my number published?  You can purchase an unpublished number as a call feature option and it may be discontinued later if you change your mind and prefer to have a published number.
   

• How much does it cost to get connected?  The cost of service is affected by the service package you choose.  For specific service information, we encourage you read the application, or you may contact us and we will be happy to answer all of your questions.
   

• Are there any additional charges or fees?  Only if you change your service by adding or deleting call options or if things like the tax rate changes; things which DHT has no control over.
   

• When is my first payment due?  Your first payment is due when you sign up.  If your service is connected on the 7th of the month, your monthly payments will be due no later than the 7th of every month.

• When do I receive a bill?  We will send you a bill 14 days before your due date.  We also make courtesy calls to remind you about your payment. 
   

• Where do I make my monthly payment?  Your monthly payment can be made at the original location where you initially set up your service.
   

• What forms of payment do you accept?  Our resellers accept Money Orders only. 
   

• What happens if I do not make my monthly payment on time?  Your service will expire and disconnection is automatic.  To avoid this you must pay your next month’s bill by its due date.  If you are disconnected, then you will have to purchase new service to have your telephone reconnected and DHT cannot guarantee that you will have the same phone number although we will try to keep it the same.