I know you're trying to simplify number of providers...but, I use a company called ecg (
www.ecg1.com) for my long distance service from TV. No minimum monthly charges required; 2.5 cents per minute state to state and 7.5 cents per minute from FL to Canada; instate LD within FL is 9 cents a minute (go figure); just pay as you go and they charge fractional minutes instead of whole minutes; been using it for about 5 years both here and in MD and has worked flawlessly. No problem with them coordinating LD service with embarq...no extra charges from embarq.
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Maryland (DC Suburbs) - first 51 years

The Villages - next 51 years