$ 35 fee for 911?

[Ccsam]

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Just noticed this online in sip settings,did not see this before

[bridonca]

That is new. I think it is a good thing though. Not sure how Fongo will collect though.

I never did understand how using using VOIP for 911 was a good thing. If you need emergency service, get a cell phone, any cell phone. Even deactivated cell phones work for 911, and you do not have to worry about the power going out in an emergency. With VOIP, there are multiple points of failure, which make them a poor choice for emergency service.

[Mango]

I agree that (if you're able to talk and know where you are) a cell phone will allow you to reach your local PSAP faster. However, all phones should be able to dial 911 so that someone who is unfamiliar with your phone system can dial 911 on your behalf if necessary.

[bartekd]

Does that mean the call won't go through if we don't have $35 loaded in our account?

[Liptonbrisk]

Whoa, In what universe is changing terms of service by adding fees desirable or a good thing for customers?

[mh1983]

Agreed with Lipton. This is a mistake; please reconsider, Fongo/FPL.

[Mango]

In FPL's defense, providing 911 service is mandatory as per CRTC regulations, and there's a direct cost associated with doing so. If you call 911 once every 2 years (I call it much less frequently) you'll break even compared to paying the other BYOD providers.

[Liptonbrisk]

Back when I signed up originally, this fee never existed. Now, suddenly, it's thrown on without
significant notification or explanation.

[wycitox]

I have made a test call to 911 and it completed, $35 for every call even if they are legitimate?

[FONGO_jeff]

I have made a test call to 911 and it completed, $35 for every call even if they are legitimate?

Yes, all 911 calls are subject to a $35 fee, especially test calls.

[mh1983]

And when was this fee introduced?

[nlemay]

This fee goes completly against the general idea that calling 911 should be free, like in a phonebooth. Moreover, do you need to have 35$ in your account to call 911 in case of emergency? Of course, I think nobody should rely only on VOIP in case of emergency, but what if it is your last way to ask for emergency and you can't because you don't have enough in your account? This is a real deal breaker, and for now I will not be able to recommand FPL to my friends anymore.

[Mango]

This fee goes completly against the general idea that calling 911 should be free

Unfortunately, the government disagrees with you. Complying with the CRTC's regulations for VoIP 911 is mandatory, and expensive. (And inefficient.)

[nlemay]

This fee goes completly against the general idea that calling 911 should be free

Unfortunately, the government disagrees with you. Complying with the CRTC's regulations for VoIP 911 is mandatory, and expensive. (And inefficient.)

This is not about money, but about emergencies. I will probably never have 35$ in my account, does it means that I can't call 911 with my phone anymore? What if we need to make a emergency call from VOIP and this new fee block us from doing it?

[Jake]

I would suggest they will not block any 911 calls, but instead invoice you after the fact. If you don't pay, then they will just suspend your account (I imagine).

I don't see how they can do it any other way. Can you imagine the hundreds of thousands of users all having to put $35 in their account to just sit there 'just in case'. The interest on that alone would make Fongo very happy!

[ckkatan]

Can Fongo Staff confirm that the 911 service is not blocked without $35 in the account?

Please and Thank You.

[mh1983]

Awaiting a Fongo staff reply, too.

[FONGO_jeff]

Can Fongo Staff confirm that the 911 service is not blocked without $35 in the account?

Please and Thank You.

Correct. You do not need to have a $35 balance to place a call to 911.

[ckkatan]

Thank you for the clarification.

As a result, the 911 service functions as normal. Except, there is a $35 charge if we used it.

I believed FPL implemented this policy to reduce the numbers of "test" calls.

[bluenote]

Uh, I paid for lifetime service and 911 was INCLUDED in that service.
I think Fongo needs to grandfather users that paid before this was instituted.

[Mango]

https://www.google.com/search?q=lifetim ... oneline.ca

I also checked Archive.org and found no mention of free service for life.

[FONGO_jeff]

Uh, I paid for lifetime service and 911 was INCLUDED in that service.
I think Fongo needs to grandfather users that paid before this was instituted.

From the FPL Terms of Service:

"The terms of this Agreement, including fees, charges, features, content or any other aspects of a Service, may change at any time and without prior notice."

[f_laplante]

Can Fongo Staff confirm that the 911 service is not blocked without $35 in the account?

Please and Thank You.

Correct. You do not need to have a $35 balance to place a call to 911.

Pour mes confrères francophone, nous n'avons pas à avoir d'argent ou de carte de crédit active pour que l'appel au 911 soit complété
ET
dans les post suivant, il est mention que les terme de service peuvent changer dans préavis de fongo...

on est ensuite libre d'utiliser leur service ensuite. Je suis bien sur déçu de ce changement, mais ça fait partie de la nouvelle réalité des télécommunications. On ne peut pas tout avoir gratuitement, ni garder gratuit ce qu'on avait auparavant...

[mh1983]

Uh, I paid for lifetime service and 911 was INCLUDED in that service.
I think Fongo needs to grandfather users that paid before this was instituted.

From the FPL Terms of Service:

"The terms of this Agreement, including fees, charges, features, content or any other aspects of a Service, may change at any time and without prior notice."

So FPL could conceivably charge a monthly fee? Even though it's brand is titled "FREEphoneline"?

[Jake]

They did, it's called Fongo

I guess they could, but it would be the death of the company. I can't see any business model going from free to paid over night and expecting to survive.