Does anyone recieve calls from SQ? Who is the collect call carrier? my phone was blocked thursday because its in my moms name and she stopped payment on her payments for her phone account this month and last so they restricted both phones :pissed: :pissed: they wont remove the block till her account is current all i owe on mine is $18.22. i just recieved a recoreded msg. from global tel link saying someone tried to call but couldnt get thru i dont know if its my husband or brother in law

MCI is the carrier for San Quentin.

Do You have to have MCI in order to receive collect calls from San Quentin?
My long distance carrier is SBC..will there be a problem? Or Should I switch my long distance to MCI.

I called MCI to ask the same question. I was told that initially collect calls will come through even if they are not your carrier. You will be contacted by MCI when they realize that they are not your carrier and they will set up an account to receive further collect calls from SQ. My loved one is not yet allowed to make calls, so I have no personal experience if it is true. When I called MCI initially, they did test my line to assure a call would come through. You should do the same. They would not allow me to set up an account in advance, nor did they offer rates for regular service that made me want to switch companies (I have ATT). Do You have to have MCI in order to receive collect calls from San Quentin?
My long distance carrier is SBC..will there be a problem? Or Should I switch my long distance to MCI.

You can have any long distance carrier you want...they can't make you switch to MCI. The state contracts with different companies so the carrier can change contract years. MCI charges will appear on your carrier bill separately. MCI checks with your carrier to see that you are current with the bill or they will block calls....so keep current on paying bill. And yes, the state gets alot of money as kickbacks from MCI...

This is what I found out. MCI contracts with SBC. They are able to put their charges on the SBC Bill, but not the other way around. SBC is not allowed to put their charges on an MCI bill.

The Rates from where I am are 1.50 connect fee and 15 cents a minute.

That is really not all that bad.

wow...I pay $3.95 connect and .85 cents a minute....calls run about 20.00 with taxes for 15 min......it's a rip off if you are out of state.