Pay Tel Communications is a North Carolina–based provider that focuses almost entirely on smaller county and regional jails rather than state prisons. Its family-facing tools are the Pay Tel Connect app and website and its inteleVISIT video visitation system.
What Pay Tel offers
- Jail phone calls. Prepaid (and some direct-bill) accounts so you can receive calls from a Pay Tel facility.
- inteleVISIT video visits. Scheduled video visitation through the Pay Tel Connect app, paid from your Pay Tel account balance.
- Messaging. Two-way messaging at participating facilities.
How to set up an account
- Often it starts with your loved one: when they add you as a contact, you'll get an SMS text with instructions.
- Go to paytelconnect.com or download the Pay Tel Connect app and choose Create Account.
- Complete the application, including the facility where your loved one is held, and set a six-digit PIN (used for security on every account action).
- Add funds online, in the app, or by calling the automated line at 800-729-8355 (1-800-PAY-TELL). Many accounts have a minimum payment (commonly around $25).
For video visits, your loved one must add you as a contact in the inteleVISIT app on their tablet first; you'll then get a text linking you to accept the request and schedule. Visits are paid for from your funds — the detainee can't pay.
What it costs
Pay Tel's call rates dropped under the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed rate caps that took effect April 6, 2026, which also banned facility "site commissions." (Pay Tel was among the providers that challenged the FCC's 2024 order before the litigation was dropped in early 2026.) Video visit and messaging prices are set per facility, so confirm the current rates for your jail.
Account tips
- If your number changes, you can't simply edit it — set up the new number with a fresh prepaid application on the website.
- Account statements (call activity, costs, payments, balance) are available on the website once you've completed a full application.
- Calls are recorded and monitored; for a non-recorded "Do Not Record" professional line, the number you use must match the one on your Pay Tel account.
Lower your costs
Our discounted calling plan gives you a flat $10 a month for 500 minutes on the provider your facility already uses — no per-minute billing. Compare Pay Tel with the other phone and video companies in our inmate service provider directory.
Other phone & video call providers
- Securus Technologies — One of the two largest prison-telecom companies. Here's what Securus runs, what it costs under the new FCC caps, and how to set up an account.
- ViaPath Technologies (GTL) — The company formerly called GTL. How ViaPath's ConnectNetwork and GettingOut platforms work, and what they cost your family.
- ICSolutions — A TKC Holdings company behind 'The Visitor' video visitation. How to register, schedule, and fund a visit.
- NCIC Inmate Communications — A Texas-based provider known for lower county-jail call rates. What NCIC charges and how to open a prepaid account.
- HomeWAV — An inmate-initiated video platform — your loved one starts the call when you're online. How to set it up and what it costs.
See the full directory of inmate service providers for every phone, video, money, messaging, and care-package company.