Lower Telephone Rates Offered to Nonprofit Groups

Nonprofit organizations nation-wide can get the lowest rates available on long-distance telephone service through a telephone cooperative called Telecommunications Cooperative Network.

Bob Loeb, its president, said that since the Universal Switchboard service began in January, member charities have saved an average of 20% on their long-distance bills.

The cooperative, based in New York City, buys bulk long-distance services from two carriers, AT&T; and MCI, a spokesperson said. It then makes a monthly computer analysis of each client’s calls, determining the least expensive rate any long-distance carrier would have charged for each call. The cooperative then bills its clients one cent per minute less than that rate.

The cooperative finances itself out of the difference between the wholesale rates it’s charged by long-distance firms and the discounted retail rates it charges clients.

Voice mail, which allows recorded messages to be left with any number of network users, is also available through the cooperative, whose 750 members include the Ford Foundation, UNICEF and the Greater New York Hospital Assn., Loeb said.

For details, call June Bailen, (212) 714-9780.