Toronto 311

[Shaf77]

Just tried dialing 311 (http://www.toronto.ca/311/) and the line is quiet for a while then I get an error message that says "this call is not covered by your tariff plan".

Any suggestions on what I need to change on my ATA dial plan to allow 311 calling?

Thanks!

[kaixiang]

same here

[tbrummell]

X11 (aside from 911 & 411) do not work with FPL. The server is in the Kitchener/Waterloo area, so it's whatever is out there that you can dial. They do not base dialed X11 based on your FPL number, although this would be a cool idea.

Side note: voip.ms does support X11 numbers based on the server you are registered to. So if you need X11 dialing you would need to sign up with someone like them. Instead of using X11 you need to look up the direct number to the service you are trying to connect to.

[tbrummell]

Use this number instead:
416-392-CITY (2489)

[abelitin]

What if we add the substitution to the dial plan?

<311:4163922489>

I tried and it works for me

Cheers!


Abel

[Martin]

I'm looking for where to enter it in my HT286 ???

[FONGO_steve]

For any Toronto users experiencing errors, what sort of user agent (device/software) are you using?

We have added N11 support in regions where the N11 providers have arrangements with Fibernetics. For Toronto, this does include 211 and 311. This seems to be working on my test account, so let's take a look into why some of you aren't able to reach it from your accounts.

[TheHardy]

We have added N11 support in regions where the N11 providers have arrangements with Fibernetics. For Toronto, this does include 211 and 311. This seems to be working on my test account, so let's take a look into why some of you aren't able to reach it from your accounts.

Mildly off-topic, but can you confirm which other major centres have working n-1-1 dial plans via Fibernetics? I know there has been discussion in other threads regarding 8-1-1 in Quebec (and my follow up with the BC info), as well as 3-1-1 for Vancouver.

I'd just be interested to know where agreements are in place other than T-dot.

[FONGO_steve]

Hi Hardy,
Here are the cities we currently have arrangements for n11 service in:

211:
New Westminister
North Vancouver
Richmond
Toronto
Vancouver
West Vancouver

311:
Brampton
Clarkson
Cooksville
Malton
Port Credit
Quebec
Streetsville
Toronto
Vancouver

[TheHardy]

Thanks for the updated information Steve, much appreciated!

[Martin]

811 and 511 in Quebec province always not works

[TheHardy]

We're off topic in the Toronto 3-1-1 thread, but I will risk Steve's wrath by giving you an answer!

811 and 511 in Quebec province always not works

This has been covered at length in a few different threads so far that I have read.

Here is one that lists the REAL (well, at least 800#) numbers for those services. I know it is not as easy as the n11 codes, but then again, you really cannot beat the price that we are paying for FPL!

http://forum.freephoneline.ca/viewtopic ... 1544#p8506


Specifically for you:
511 - 1-888-355-0511
811 - 1-800-361-3977

[TheHardy]

Steve, just going back and re-reading your posts regarding 211 and 311 service and looking at the areas covered. I am curious as to how the ROUTING of these calls works -- is it based on the NPA-NXX of the FPL phone number, or is it based off the user-entered 9-1-1 address information?

IE: If I have a Vancouver BC-based FPL number and I dial 311, will I always get Vancouver-311? If it is based on IP address (I suppose cross-referenced at time of registration onto the system), if I travel into say Toronto and dial 311 (again with my Vancouver BC-based FPL number), which one will I reach??

Thanks for helping to clear this up. I know it is almost like looking a gift horse in the mouth to keep asking these questions, but inquiring minds want to know!

Along the same vein, are there any plans to support 5-1-1 or 8-1-1 services in the same manner?

[Martin]

WOW!!! Thank You for Quebec numbers!

[TheHardy]

No problem -- off topic for the Toronto thread -- but I did remember seeing it! Glad to have helped out!

[FONGO_steve]

Hi TheHardy,

Call routing is based on the geographical city of the freephoneline number. So a Toronto freephoneline number will route to Toronto 211/311 services.

In regards to adding new areas - we (referring to Fibernetics as a carrier) setup n11 services when the n11 providers approach us and request that we support their services.

[TheHardy]

Call routing is based on the geographical city of the freephoneline number. So a Toronto freephoneline number will route to Toronto 211/311 services.

Ah, much as I thought. As a suggestion, could we add that VITAL nugget of information to both the FAQ and also to the relevant page when the website gets its make-over? I am sure that you would agree that this is information which is rather important to the day-to-day usage of the service, as well as number selection for non-ported numbers... ie: *important notice on selecting your number*: certain services, such as n11 or non-traditional 10-digit POTS phone calls may be affected by your number selection.

In regards to adding new areas - we (referring to Fibernetics as a carrier) setup n11 services when the n11 providers approach us and request that we support their services.

So the "resolution" to this issue would be to have the provider of the n11 service make the request directly to Fibernetics to add support for their n11 translation within the Fibernetics network. Is there a specific point of contact that the n11 service provider should contact, or would they (the n11 provider) already be aware of whom they should be contacting?

In other words, if I wanted to take the initiative to "harass"/politely request of, for example, 8-1-1/BC (HealthLine) for the added support, I would march my way up their contact chain and ask them to email/call/contact WHOM at Fibernetics?

[ap236]

Hi Hardy,
Here are the cities we currently have arrangements for n11 service in:

211:
New Westminister
North Vancouver
Richmond
Toronto
Vancouver
West Vancouver

311:
Brampton
Clarkson
Cooksville
Malton
Port Credit
Quebec
Streetsville
Toronto
Vancouver

It'd be great if the City of Barrie and County of Simcoe could be added to the list.

[TheHardy]

It'd be great if the City of Barrie and County of Simcoe could be added to the list.

Relaying information that Steve PM'd me, and expanding on what was posted previously, if the SERVICE PROVIDERS (in this the city of Barrie and Cty of Simcoe) contact Fibernetics (the underlying CLEC in FPL) to REQUEST that their service be accessible by n11 service (3-1-1 in this case), then that is the route to go.

paraphrasing Steve: "Fibernetics cannot add the service until they have a request from the service provider to do so"

So the onus then would be on YOU to contact either (or both) Barrie and/or Simcoe and urge them to get their 3-1-1 coordinator to contact Fibernetics to get the service implemented.



Hope that helps!

[TheHardy]

Just did a quick google search and went thru some websites - it does not seem that either Simcoe or Barrie currently HAVE 3-1-1 service, so there is really no point to WISH for Fibernetics/FPL to implement support for it!

You may have misunderstood something here ...

The cities/regions chose to offer 3-1-1 (or any other n11 service) as a short-cut easy to remember dialing code for it's citizens. The local telephone companies then, at the request of that city/region/govt office implement dial translation that takes that 3-digit code and dials the real 10-digit number, sort of like an in-line translation service. If there is no underlying service for Fibernetics/FPL to route to, then it is all a moot point.

Only certain cities have bothered to set up these types of numbers and for various different reasons. There is always the default way to contact any of them anyways, just dial the full 10-digits for what you want to call!

[ap236]

But we do have 211.

[TheHardy]

But we do have 211.

My mistake, I mis-interpretted.

Same applies -- get in touch with your 2-1-1 service, and have them contact Fibernetics to request that their 2-1-1 service be added by Fibernetics.

<edit> I have posted a new thread over at http://forum.freephoneline.ca/viewtopic ... 958#p16118 for this 2-1-1 discussion, as we seem to be far far off topic now! </edit>

[ap236]

But we do have 211.

My mistake, I mis-interpretted.

Same applies -- get in touch with your 2-1-1 service, and have them contact Fibernetics to request that their 2-1-1 service be added by Fibernetics.

I'll try to do that, thanks.

[TheHardy]

Hi Hardy,
Here are the cities we currently have arrangements for n11 service in:

211:
New Westminister
North Vancouver
Richmond
Vancouver
West Vancouver

FYI (and as Steve probably already knows), ALL of the above BC ratecentres (not cities...!!) are within the Metro Vancouver catchment area. They happen to be the Fibernetics/FPL ratecentres in which FPL provides local numbers.

As posted in another thread, BC 2-1-1 serves all of Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (which is well beyond the above Metro Vancouver calling area). All of the calls within this area are processed by the same provider. More info on them is at www.bc211.ca

Side note to Steve (dunno why I did not catch this earlier!!) - You misspelled New Westminster (note second 'i' removed!)

[bfly]

How about Alberta?