The unit of time that is used to calculate the cost of a phone call -- usually one minute, 30 seconds or six (6) seconds. Example: If a plan bills in one-minute increments and a specific phone call is 36 seconds long, the time of the call is rounded up to one minute. A plans that bills in six-second billing increments would bill that same 36-second call as a 36-second call, not a one-minute call as the previously mentioned hypothetical plan would. Calling plans that have smaller billing increments can save a customer money because of fractional charges like the hypothetical example above.
Billing increments are the basic units of measurement for each call, also known as “per minute rounding”. The normal billing increment is 1 minute, although some cards use 2 or 3 minutes. Some international long distance cards charge in 6-minute billing increments, so if you make a 7-minute call, you'll be charged for 12 minutes.
The rate at which carriers bill customers for airtime.
Long-distance carriers usually charge in billing increments, or will round up the time you spend on a call. For example, if your carrier charges in one-minute increments, a 45-second call would be rounded up to the nearest minute, and would be charged the same as a 60-second call. If you are charged in six-second increments instead, then that same 45-second call would be rounded up to just 48-seconds.
Long distance carriers round up the time you spend on each call. This term is referred to as billing increments. For example should a carrier charge you by the minute, then a 45 second call will be charged as one minute or (60 seconds). If you are charged by the carrier in 6 second increments then that same 45 second call would be rounded off to 48 seconds.
This is the basic unit of measurement for each call and is also called "minute rounding." The normal billing increment for prepaid calling cards is one minute. Some prepaid phone cards or international phone cards use two (2) and three (3) minute billing increments. TCASTalk prepaid phone cards will use 3 minute rounding for international areas, which normally have long call durations and require aggressive pricing. Beware of other international phone cards, which use 6 minute rounding. Prepaid calling cards, which use 6 minute rounding, will charge 12 minutes for a 7 or 8-minute call.
These are the increments used by your carrier to round-off the bills you pay. If they are one minute increments a 45 seconds call will be charged as for a 60 seconds call. If you have six seconds increments then that same 45 seconds call will instead be rounded off to a 48 seconds call charge.
