A couple of questions prior to signing up

[uc50ic4more]

I have a few questions about the FONGO Wireless service (in Canada), reference: https://www.fongo.com/fongo-wireless/

1) One of the support pages - https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/arti ... o-Wireless references SMS texting with this package this way:

"As an added bonus if you update your Fongo Wireless profile and enter your Fongo Number in the Fongo Number field you will be awarded a month of Unlimited Canada SMS Package every month your Fongo Wireless Service is in good standing. (This will be awarded the day after your monthly bill is paid).

With the Unlimited Canada SMS Texting package you will be able to send and receive text messages to any mobile phone in Canada."

I am wondering what happens with U.S. SMS texts, either incoming or outgoing. Can I not receive texts from U.S. numbers? Would I be automatically billed some amount per outgoing text to a U.S. number or would the text fail to be delivered?

2) I am just confirming this, hopefully:

With either the 2GB or 5GB package, if I am on WiFi my Fongo app would operate via the WiFi connection and **not** count against any data usage, correct?

3) When installing and setting up my Fongo app on a phone there was an acknowledgement that the 911 service is - please forgive my lack of recollection about the exact wording - "not as good as normal 911 service". Does anyone know in what way the Fongo 911 function is hobbles; and if I use the SIM card-based Wireless package, is 911 still "not as good"?

[Liptonbrisk]

Hi,

While I can answer most of your questions, there's one question I'm uncertain about. If you'd like an official response, you can submit a ticket at https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.

Can I not receive texts from U.S. numbers?

You can with these restrictions: https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/arti ... ifications.

All incoming text messages are free.

Would I be automatically billed some amount per outgoing text to a U.S. number or would the text fail to be delivered?

You would need to purchase an in-app global texting package first: refer to https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/articles/212434506 and https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/articles/212434566.
Without purchasing, outgoing texts to the U.S. won't work. You'll be blocked from sending them.

On iOS devices, the global texting prices are $3.99 per month, $8.49 for 3 months, and $14.99 for 6 months.
I'm not sure what the Android in-app pricing is.

if I am on WiFi my Fongo app would operate via the WiFi connection and **not** count against any data usage, correct?

If you're on Wi-Fi, cellular data usage will not count against you. In fact, you can disable cellular data in your smartphone, and while connected to Wi-Fi, the Fongo Mobile app will continue to work.

By the way, while using cellular data, you will be on Rogers' cellular network.

3) When installing and setting up my Fongo app on a phone there was an acknowledgement that the 911 service is - please forgive my lack of recollection about the exact wording - "not as good as normal 911 service". Does anyone know in what way the Fongo 911 function is hobbles; and if I use the SIM card-based Wireless package, is 911 still "not as good"?

I can tell you what happens if you dial 911 using the Fongo Mobile app, but I don't know what happens if you dial 911 from your regular smartphone dialer instead. In theory, because there's a SIM card in the smartphone, the 911 (not using Fongo mobile) call should still be the same as described in the "Mobile 911" section below. But I don't know for sure because I've never used Fongo Wireless. If you'd like an official response, you can submit a ticket at https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.

Using Fongo Mobile, you need to enter the address where you primarily use the service at https://account.fongo.com/admin/settings/911/. That information needs to be updated in the event you move to a new address.

Much of what's written here, except the $35 per call fee (there isn't a 911 fee with Fongo Mobile), about Freephoneline 911 applies to Fongo Mobile 911: https://forums.redflagdeals.com/newegg- ... #p28405633.

So, to rephrase from that post . . .

"VoIP E911 is a two step process. With Fongo Mobile, after dialing 911, the initial E911 call centre, which does have my name, address, and call back number, still has to transfer the call to local dispatch (PSAP), which doesn't have my name, address, and phone number.

It's important, when signing up to a VoIP service you're planning on using 911 with that you always keep your address updated on file with them. If you move, update your address: https://account.fongo.com/admin/settings/911/. Your VoIP service sends that information to the E911 call centre/Northern911, which they will keep on file.

In some rare instances, I suppose it's possible that https://www.northern911.com/ (I'm guessing this is what Fongo Mobile and other VoIP services in Canada use, but I'm not sure) may not transfer to the correct local dispatch (PSAP) number (human error happens). Some people I configured services for in the past were very paranoid about VoIP E911 and forced me to do a test call. Worked fine. That is, the first person I reached had name and address info; they ask for confirmation. And the call was promptly transferred to local dispatch and correct address info was given to local dispatch, verbally, by the first call centre. That worked fine each and every time I was asked to test.

How does this compare to 911 with a landline?

Landline 911 is not a two-step process. You don't need to keep your address updated. Landlines are the most reliable for 911 calls.
But landlines don't work after your telephone lines have been knocked out by a storm.

How does this compare with [traditional Sim card] Mobile 911?

Mobile 911 is not a two step process. However, they do not have your exact address, but they should have an approximate location (they should at least have the cellular site/tower that's carrying your call), especially if you're in a major city (they may have latitude and longitude). If you're in a rural area, location based on cellular towers may not be very precise. 70%+ of 911 calls are now coming from mobile phones according to the CRTC. Going forward, this is where improvements are going to be made."

[uc50ic4more]

Thank you very much for the reply!