zoldy wrote:that just it I am not sure why my area is so remote. Areas surrounding me are covered. I am in Port Dover Ontario if that helps. 519 583 xxxx
Well now I can see why you mention this. It's not like you are too far off the beaten track, I thought you were going to say you were going to say you were up in Yukon or something.
I looked at your exchange
http://localcallingguide.com/lprefix.php?exch=156890 on the local calling guide, and although it is not a million miles away from things there isn't many places that you can call 'local' by the looks of things. From a business point of view it probably doesn't look too attractive to have a Point Of Presence there. From what I understand companies like Fongo (or rather Fibernetics who is their parent company and the one who buys all their DIDs) have to actually have a POP on that exchange before they can port numbers to it.
Even in Smiths Falls here
http://localcallingguide.com/lprefix.php?exch=157570 that exchange seems to cover a lot of area, right up over the water into Quebec by the looks of it. Having a POP on that exchange would obviously be much more beneficial to a company than a POP on your exchange.
I will just say, this is how I have come to understand it, and in no way claim to be an expert on this - so I might be well off base.
I would probably be inclined to say that, although you are close to a major city, it might be a while before VOIP companies can justify the cost of expanding down to your particular exchange. Until they do that I don't think they will be able to port your number in and keep it local to people around you. I keep reading Fongo_Mike saying that they can port it to a different exchange, but that would mean when your neighbour calls your number it will be long distance.
I can only suggest for you to set up a Fongo account to enjoy the free calling, but then forward that number to your current number. I know it will mean that you still have to keep Bell, but at least you have a way of getting cheaper calling.
Maybe someone else has other things to say, ones more knowledgeable than me
