Abstract: A system for selecting and monitoring telephone rates including a telephone hand-set with a numeric keypad and a plurality of scroll keys and an enter key situated thereon. A modem is adapted to receive and download from a database information including a rate of charge for a long distance call made at the time of the download for a plurality of telecommunication companies. Also included is a monitor for viewing such data. Finally, control circuitry is connected to the modem, telephone handset, and monitor. The control circuitry is adapted to display on the monitor a time and a date of the most recent downloading of information, the rate of charge for a long distance call made at the time of the download for each telecommunication company, and the current monthly subtotal due to each telecommunication company. The control circuitry is further adapted to allow the selection of one of the telecommunication companies for a current long distance telephone call via the scroll keys and enter key.