An apparatus in communication with a network having a tool for tracking connect time to the network. The apparatus may be communications device, a wireless handset, a personal digital assistant, a computer laptop, a portable communications device, a wired communications terminal, and/or a calling card. The tool for tracking connect time includes a periodic alarm having an onset and a duration time. Moreover, the tool for tracking connect time also includes means for varying the onset and the duration time of at least one period of the alarm with a variable arbitration offset.