Area Code Hiccups

[TreeHugginHippy]

Hello,

I just recently joined FreePhoneLine after I noticed that you finally have Calgary (Alberta) Phone Numbers! I am very excited to finally have found a VOIP service that offers areacodes in my area. Unfortunately, I've run into a little bit of a problem. It seems that whenever someone calls me from a cell phone (Landlines do not have this issue, as far as I can tell so far), their phone company informs them that long distance charges will apply. I also have this problem calling my own FPL number from my Bell cell phone. I know for a fact that this phone number you gave me is in fact a local Calgary phone number, so I can't figure out why every cell phone company makes the mistake of assuming it is long distance. After all, Calgary is the only place which has the areacode 403. I also looked on the whitepages.ca website and it is a Calgary phone number. I also have this problem when I call my friend's Calgary FPL number which he just created. We do not get this recording if we dial 1 before the areacode (as if it was a long distance number). But this isn't long distance so I shouldn't have to dial "1" nor should I have to pay long distance rates for local calls.

I called my cell phone company several times asking why when I make a call to that phone number it informs me that I will be charged long distance. Every representative I spoke to confirmed that this was a Calgary number and couldn't offer me an explanation as to why I am getting that recording. They simply told me to ignore the message and to dispute any charges that may occur since it is a local number. I have not yet received my phone bill, but when I do, I will confirm here whether or not I was charged. I have also made calls to my FPL number from my Landline and I had no problem (heard no recording). I will confirm if I was charged for this when i receive my home phone bill.

Why can't Calgary cell phones call Calgary FPL numbers without receiving a recording informing them that long distance charges will apply? I have tested this out on several of my friends phones, all with different providers. Every cell phone I've tried informs me of long distance charges. Even if I am not being charged long distance, it's really annoying (and uncertain) to hear that everytime I make a phone call to someone using FPL. This must be a problem on your end because I only ever have these problems with Voice-Over-IP.

I look forward to your responses, and hopefully, a resolution.
Thanks,
Tree Hugger.

[FONGO_kris]

Strange. Though the problem exists universally with ALL Bell cell phones to FPL numbers for the most part. I know, because I have a Bell cell phone, I haven't been charged as far as I know.

You're right about the reps, they insisted to me that even my next door neighbor could be long distance, depending on which exchange they were on, which you and I both know is not true. They suggested (get this) to change my phone number, and MAYBE it would be resolved!

It is definitely on the carriers side and we are looking into it as far as I know.

[FONGO_steve]

We are trying to push the carriers, but when it comes down to it, the more customers that phone and complain to Bell (and any other carriers doing this) the better. Try and complain as high up as you can when you call. Bell somehow has it in their mind that our DIDs are "long distance", even though a quick check on any rate-center chart shows otherwise.

[TreeHugginHippy]

Yes. Very strange, indeed.
Any idea as to what causes this? Hard to wrap my head around. lol.
Is there even a slight possibly this has anything to do with VOIP or DID's?
I had this same problem when I registered a Google Voice number in Wolcott, Connecticut for my aunt to call me locally (for free).
The only difference is she was actually charged on her Phone Bill for local call to her own city!
I'm relieved to see that you understand my question and I'm not not alone in this.
Interesting to note it is mainly Bell phones, which is better than all carriers.
It's kinda a pain to explain to people why that message comes up, and convince them to actually call and complain if they do get charged.
But oh well, what can we do I guess.

You're right about the reps, they insisted to me that even my next door neighbor could be long distance, depending on which exchange they were on, which you and I both know is not true. They suggested (get this) to change my phone number, and MAYBE it would be resolved!

Hahaha. That's quite comical, actually.
The representatives told me that the message "Your call is being connected, long distance charges will apply" should instead say "may apply".
They also informed me that this message occurs frequently with local numbers, even those living next door, which I have also found not to be the case.
At least, I've never heard it unless I was calling a long distance number without "1" in front of the number.
Also, the message is the same on every Bell cell phone I tried, it has always said WILL apply.
I'll give him a little credit, he did admit that all Calls within Calgary and most surrounding towns are local calls.
He assured me I would not be charged, and if I do just to call and dispute it.

Ahrggg, it enough to drive a person up the wall! Haha.
I say it's black, Bell claims it's white!
One thing I've learned to never do, is mention that the provider I am having problems with is a VOIP service,
since I notice that automatically the blame is pointed at VOIP with absolutely no investigation what-so-ever on their part.
It worked for me when I called Bell about not being able to reach my magicjack phone number, the engineer I was escalated to claimed responsibility for it and it was fixed.
Although it will be a little harder for me to omit the fact that "FreePhoneLine" isn't a real Landline service (as opposed to Ymax Communications).
The name is kind of a giveaway. Lol. Oh well.
I pay quite a pretty penny for cell phone service, so as far as I'm concerned it should be flawless.
It's also important that people using Bell can contact me without worry.

I will certainly be making some more calls to my carrier, and will be encouraging people who have this problem (with calling me and receiving that message) to do the same.
Thanks for your quick and informative replies.
Tree Hugger.