Phone & Cellular FAQs
1. How do I get a cell phone?
Fill out an application (you can download it here) and pick out the phone you want. We send phones via USPS or Era; customer is responsible for shipping.
2. How much do the cell phones cost?
A free cell phone is available to year-round Cooperative members in good standing.
(Click here to view offer.)
New phones are discounted 20 percent for OTZ subscribers and prices range from $40 to $500.
3. Will the charges go on my telephone bill?
The choice is yours. Keep the bills separate or bundle with your telephone account for one convenient bill.
4. Do I have to pay a deposit?
If you have good credit you will not need a deposit. You may need to pay for the phone upon activation and pay a $100.00 deposit if you want long-distance.
5. What is the range on the cell phones?
After testing we have found out we have a greater range and penetration than our competition. In Kotzebue we have had customers confirm a signal as far as the mouth of the Little Noatak and across at Sisaliq and on the hillside of Hugo’s Mountain. Selawik and Noorvik also have a good range. The higher cost smart phones boast a better signal than the lower end cell phones.
6. Are you coming to the rest of the Villages?
Yes! Getting service to the rest of our customers is a high priority to us. We have plans to be there as soon as summer 2012. We are as anxious as you are to be there!
7. Will my cell work in Anchorage?
Yes! We have roaming agreements in place with AT&T, T-Mobile, ASTAC, and US Cellular. Anywhere these companies have a tower across the US your phone should work. If it doesn’t, let us know, we will try to begin service there.
8. How much does it cost to “roam”?
Roaming rates are $0.25 per minute for airtime and $0.15 per minute for toll, so it’s possible to pay 40 cents a minute when roaming. To lower these costs, OTZ offers “buckets” of prepaid monthly roaming minutes at a discount. If you travel outside of the region a lot, or will be using your phone on an upcoming trip, give us a call and ask about our prepaid roaming minutes. They expire after each billing cycle.
9. How much is long-distance?
We are proud to offer one of the best in-state long distance rates at 15 cents a minute. This is a flat rate.
10. What is lifeline and how do I qualify?
Lifeline is a program we provide to qualifying low-income customers at $1.00 a month. Give us a call or call or stop by to see the list of programs that will qualify you. It has unlimited local minutes and you can add additional lines. No credit check or deposit required.
You qualify if you receive food stamps, adult public assistance or you are enrolled in any of the following programs:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Food Stamps
Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
Adult Public Assistance (which includes aid to the aged, blind and disabled)
BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) General Assistance
Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Head Start (meeting qualifying income standards)
National School Lunch Program's Free Lunch program
Denali KidCare
WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children Care Program)
Pioneer Home Payment Assistance
Alaska State Housing Corporation Programs -
Public Housing
Interest Rate Reduction for Low Income Borrowers
Home Investment Partnership
Low Incumbent Housing Tax Credit Program
State of Alaska Heating Assistance Program
Veterans Administration Disability Pension
Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund
State of Alaska Senior Benefits Program
Childcare Assistance Program, Pass I, II and III
Click here to sign up.
11. How does this program work?
OTZ provides qualified members high quality wireless service, including a free phone, for $1 per month. To bring you this service OTZ teamed up with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a federal government agency.
12. What features do I get with my service?
If you qualify, OTZ will connect you with Unlimited local calling, Caller ID, Unlimited Text Messaging and Call Waiting.
13. What if I need to call long distance?
You may call a toll free number, use a calling card, call collect, or put down a deposit of $100 for direct dialing capability.
14. Can I use my phone in Anchorage and beyond?
Yes, but only if you first put down a $100 deposit.
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