i have been using the long distance plan from AIC since when my family first immigrated... and for sure during any big holiday (xmas, chinese new year) the phone NEVER works!
they also charge you those voicemail calls... like when you call someone's phone and it fly to their voicemail... even if you hang up right away... they charge you for that 1 min...= =
the only thing good about it is you can use it without worrying internet connections or anything like that..=P good to have it as backup though..