$1.95 + tax per month (or $23.40 + tax annually) 911 fee for VoIP unlock key users starting October 1, 2024

[fguser100]

If I don't update payment info, will $1.95 be taken from the account balance? This is how I would prefer to pay the fee.

The following summarizes what I was told.

If there's no valid payment method on file, World Credits will be deducted to pay an overdue balance just before the suspension date to keep the account alive.

Here are some considerations when World Credit balance is used:

1. Users will receive warnings about updating payment info before the credits are deducted.

2. The amount of credits deducted is the entire outstanding invoice value.

3. If there are not enough available credits the account will be suspended on the suspension date.

Would you know if Credit Card info using to buy World Credit Balance is kept somewhere in Fongo or it is just a one time given info ?
If this is only a one time given info, then those who don't what to store their Credit Card info can buy World Credit instead .

[Liptonbrisk]

if Credit Card info using to buy World Credit Balance is kept somewhere in Fongo

Sorry, all I know is what was stated publicly. "Customer and payment information is stored internally on our encrypted database, so it is not being sent to a third party. The payment information is not stored in plain text, so our employees don't even have access to customer's payment information."

If this is only a one time given info

Auto renewal for World Credits is enabled automatically: https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... Auto-Renew.

[hieppo]

An elderly person I know with freephoneline does not have a credit card. Can the 1.95 montly fee be paid at a physical bank or through online banking?

Sadly, I think the answer is no due to https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... ed-payment.

But you can ask: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new?

Does the credit card information needs to be registered in the account? Or can we just basically put in $1.95x1.13x12 which will cover a year worth of E911 charge, that is if there is no long distance call which I never do. This is sort of like prepaid card?

[hieppo]

If I don't update payment info, will $1.95 be taken from the account balance? This is how I would prefer to pay the fee.

The following summarizes what I was told.

If there's no valid payment method on file, World Credits will be deducted to pay an overdue balance just before the suspension date to keep the account alive.

Here are some considerations when World Credit balance is used:

1. Users will receive warnings about updating payment info before the credits are deducted.

2. The amount of credits deducted is the entire outstanding invoice value.

3. If there are not enough available credits the account will be suspended on the suspension date.

You are no longer able to purchase World Credit in batches anymore. The system is forcing everyone to save their card information for auto fill of World Credit when it is low. So it FPL is forcing everyone to put a credit card in the system.

I guess a prepaid credit card would be the best solution. But even they charge a fee to keep so extra cost.

[Liptonbrisk]

You are no longer able to purchase World Credit in batches anymore.

I see the option to buy $5, $10, or $20 in World Credits. However, automatic renewal is enabled by default: https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... Auto-Renew.

The only way to remove credit card information is to submit a ticket.

The system is forcing everyone to save their card information for auto fill of World Credit when it is low. So it FPL is forcing everyone to put a credit card in the system.

Yes, that’s my understanding.

If you have further payment questions, you can submit a billing and payment inquiry: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new.

[Liptonbrisk]

Does the credit card information needs to be registered in the account?

Yes.

You might be able to buy a bunch of World Credits and then ask them to remove the credit card on file. I would ask them if that’s possible first before proceeding.

[tanny]

Hi,
Freephoneline/Fongo has sent me emails saying that on October 2024 I will be charged $1.95 per month.

Fine, but they do NOT explain HOW I'm supposed to PAY for this. ?!

Do they take the $1.95 per month off of my "World Credits" that I have purchased, or, do they automatically charge my credit-card the $1.95 per month. ???!!!

In my account, under "Payment Info" I can update my credit card info, but there's no place to put my "CVV" number from the back of my card. I don't know if they need that or not.?
Please tell me what I must do so I don't LOSE my Account.

...and now with their Desktop app being axed soon,
It seems to me, these days, that freephoneline/fongo just want everyone to CLOSE their freephoneline accounts permanently.

[Liptonbrisk]

Fine, but they do NOT explain HOW I'm supposed to PAY for this. ?!

They do here: https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... ea1f1c6739

Do they take the $1.95 per month off of my "World Credits" that I have purchased

They will if they can’t charge your credit card.

If there's no valid payment method on file, World Credits will be deducted to pay an overdue balance just before the suspension date to keep the account alive.

Here are some considerations when World Credit balance is used:

1. Users will receive warnings about updating payment info before the credits are deducted.

2. The amount of credits deducted is the entire outstanding invoice value.

3. If there are not enough available credits the account will be suspended on the suspension date.

or, do they automatically charge my credit-card the $1.95 per month

Yes

In my account, under "Payment Info" I can update my credit card info, but there's no place to put my "CVV" number from the back of my card. I don't know if they need that or not

I was told that they don't.

Please tell me what I must do so I don't LOSE my Account.

Freephoneline accounts must have VoIP unlock keys and pay $1.95+tax monthly.

The reason VoIP unlock keys are a requirement is due to Freephoneline's dormancy policy, which only applies to accounts without VoIP unlock keys. Without a VoIP unlock key, the account can't make outbound calls after June 3, 2025: https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy. The Freephoneline desktop application is being discontinued on June 3, 2025. Without the desktop application, non-VoIP unlock key accounts can't make outbound calls.

and now with their Desktop app being axed soon,
It seems to me, these days, that freephoneline/fongo just want everyone to CLOSE their freephoneline accounts permanently.

I suggest businesses, in general, want your money every month instead of not at all. Fongo doesn't appear to mind people buying VoIP unlock keys and paying $1.95 + tax per month. $1.95 + tax per month is still revenue for them.

VoIP unlock key users can use MicroSIP for free instead of the desktop application: viewtopic.php?t=20772.

[tanny]

Fine, but they do NOT explain HOW I'm supposed to PAY for this. ?!

They do here: https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... ea1f1c6739

Do they take the $1.95 per month off of my "World Credits" that I have purchased

They will if they can’t charge your credit card.

If there's no valid payment method on file, World Credits will be deducted to pay an overdue balance just before the suspension date to keep the account alive.

Here are some considerations when World Credit balance is used:

1. Users will receive warnings about updating payment info before the credits are deducted.

2. The amount of credits deducted is the entire outstanding invoice value.

3. If there are not enough available credits the account will be suspended on the suspension date.

or, do they automatically charge my credit-card the $1.95 per month

Yes

In my account, under "Payment Info" I can update my credit card info, but there's no place to put my "CVV" number from the back of my card. I don't know if they need that or not

I was told that they don't.

Please tell me what I must do so I don't LOSE my Account.

Freephoneline accounts must have VoIP unlock keys and pay $1.95+tax monthly.

The reason VoIP unlock keys are a requirement is due to Freephoneline's dormancy policy, which only applies to accounts without VoIP unlock keys. Without a VoIP unlock key, the account can't make outbound calls after June 3, 2025: https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy. The Freephoneline desktop application is being discontinued on June 3, 2025. Without the desktop application, non-VoIP unlock key accounts can't make outbound calls.

and now with their Desktop app being axed soon,
It seems to me, these days, that freephoneline/fongo just want everyone to CLOSE their freephoneline accounts permanently.

I suggest businesses, in general, want your money every month instead of not at all. Fongo doesn't appear to mind people buying VoIP unlock keys and paying $1.95 + tax per month. $1.95 + tax per month is still revenue for them.

VoIP unlock key users can use MicroSIP for free instead of the desktop application: viewtopic.php?t=20772.

-------------------------

Thankyou for the quick reply, and yes, I was and still am am a "VoIP unlock key" purchaser.

But, regarding: https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... ea1f1c6739
Nowhere did I read that they'll deduct the $1.95 from my "World Credits" if they don't have a valid credit card.? -that was something YOU just confirmed to me now, and I hope you're right.

The point is,
Freephoneline/Fongo should've been more detailed and explanatory in their emails/webpages/... regarding payment options for this newly ENFORCED $1.95+TAX/month stuff.

So again, thanks for letting me know, and I've put an extra $40 in my "World Credits", so let's hope they do it, if they have to.
The reason is, my credit card actually expires October/2024, (which also happens to be when the $1,95/month on my freephoneline account is due!), so you now see the dilemma I'm in.?

respectfully,
Tanny.

[Liptonbrisk]

regarding: https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... ea1f1c6739
Nowhere did I read that they'll deduct the $1.95 from my "World Credits" if they don't have a valid credit card.? -that was something you just confirmed to me now.

Correct. I didn't know either until I asked.

So again, thanks for letting me know, and I've put an extra $40 in my "World Credits", so let's hope they do it, if they have to.

Unfortunately, you will receive email warnings about updating payment information before World Credits are deducted (at least, that's what I was told) if the credit card information on file doesn't work or needs to be updated. I can imagine customers getting nervous when the email warnings are sent.

my credit card actually expires October/2024

I'm guessing your credit card company will issue you a new card this month, but yes, I understand your concern.

Beyond what I've mentioned (I don't work for Fongo and can't resolve account or payment issues), if you have further payment inquiries, you can submit a ticket to Fongo: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new. Choose "Billing and Payment Inquiry".

When submitting tickets, keep what follows in mind:

Visit https://status.fongo.com/.
If "Support System" indicates "Degraded Performance", ticket response time can take up to a week (or longer).

You can check your ticket status by logging in at
https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests. That's an account for tickets
(zendesk) only and is completely separate from your Freephoneline account or
any other Fongo account you may have. If you don't have a zendesk account yet, click "Sign Up" after visiting the link.
Use the same email address that you use to submit tickets. Do not use the same password as your Freephoneline
account. Again, these two accounts are unrelated.

Support staff does not respond to tickets on weekends or Canadian holidays.
Support hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST. They are not obligated to respond
on the these user-to-user support forums.

[tanny]

...
Beyond what I've mentioned (I don't work for Fongo and can't resolve account or payment issues), if you have further payment inquiries, you can submit a ticket to Fongo: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new. Choose "Billing and Payment Inquiry".
...

I submitted a ticket to https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new
and explained that if there is any (temporary) issue with my credit card in October, that they can take the $1.95/month out of my "World Credits" balance.
I think I picked "freephonline" and something else...? under their weird issue(s) drop-down menu.?

However, is there anyway you can quickly verify this with Fongo/Freephoneline or whoever is in charge of billing/payment collections.... that they can and will indeed take the $1.95/month out of my "World Credits" if need be.?
...'cause that would be great until I fix up my "new" credit card issues.

Thanks again, for your patience.
Tanny.

[Liptonbrisk]

My ticket number is
(Not sure If I should've posted that here, lol, but ah well, it's too late now ).

I don't think it matters since people actively posting here don't work for Fongo. It's not as though I have access to their ticketing system. I don't know who you are, and I don't know what you wrote to them, if you're worried about anonymity. The only people who would have access are Fongo employees.

If you want, you should be able to edit your post and delete the ticket number.

However, is there anyway you can quickly verify this with Fongo/Freephoneline or whoever is in charge of billing/payment collections.... that they can and will indeed take the $1.95/month out of my "World Credits" if need be?

There's nothing further I can do that I feel would change anything, but I did provide you with the information I was given.
I truly believe they will deduct your World Credits, eventually, if they can't charge your credit card.

"On Fongo Home Phone world credit balance will be drawn upon to pay an overdue balance just before the suspension date to keep the account alive.
This will also apply to FPL since its the same billing system."

That's exactly what I was told, and I trust the source. I shouldn't need to try to escalate your ticket since the billing system that's in place applies to everyone. If a serious problem arises, let me know by posting here.

[tanny]

@Liptonbrisk
ok, thanks for your help.

Tanny.

UPDATE:
I finally activate my new credit card, logged into my FPL account, purchased $10 in World Credits, and that's when I was asked to put in the new "CVV" number on the back of my new card. -success.
...then I just updated my "Payment Information" with the new expiry date.
so all should well now, and thanks again.

In retrospect, and in regards to this $1.95+TAX/month charge,
I just hope this isn't the beginning of a (money)"wedge" that Fongo is driving between themselves and the many VOIP Unlock Key FPL members.
I realize Canada's telecom industry is still a monopolistic mess, and the CRTC is basically useless when it comes to supporting healthy competition and fairness, ...

And, as a person who recently joined the ranks of other Canadian (retired) Seniors, I can NOT afford to leave FPL even with this $1.95+TAX/month charge.

So, I'll make due with one less can of sardines/month.

Cheers.

[Liptonbrisk]

I finally activate my new credit card, logged into my FPL account, purchased $10 in World Credits, and that's when I was asked to put in the new "CVV" number on the back of my new card. -success.

You might be concerned to discover that you now, seemingly, have $50 ($40 + $10) in World Credits that probably won't be used to pay for 911 monthly fees if you also updated your credit card information after logging in at https://secure.freephoneline.ca/update_payment_info.pl

If you wish to address that, you will need to respond to your open ticket since I have no control over billing and payment issues. I am not a Fongo employee. I would be clear and concise as possible in that ticket.

Anyway, "The CVV is only required for on demand (immediate purchases)."

So that explains why it's required for World Credit and number porting payments but not for the 911 monthly fee.

Otherwise, for monthly payments, "pre-authorized credit cards are sent to the processor, and we receive a token for future pre-authorized transactions. Credit card details aren't fully stored, so Fongo does not have the actual full credit card details on file." Instead they use tokens for pre-authorized transactions, which is safer.

What you've observed is normal and expected behaviour for Fongo.

https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... rvice-fee/

"FreePhoneLine’s systems that store customer information and process payments have many security layers to protect your information. Customer and payment information is stored internally on our encrypted database, so it is not being sent to a third party, nor is it stored on the internet. Your payment information is also not stored in plain text, so our employees don’t even have access to it. Our payment processing system uses a token for processing monthly payments."

I just hope this isn't the beginning of a (money)"wedge" that Fongo is driving between themselves and the many VOIP Unlock Key FPL members.

I, sincerely, have no idea what the future holds. As a volunteer moderator, at one point, I felt I was almost getting whiplash while trying to keep up with the changes being made.

And, as a person who recently joined the ranks of other Canadian (retired) Seniors, I can NOT afford to leave FPL even with this $1.95+TAX/month charge.

I appreciate your concerns on this topic.

[Liptonbrisk]

Accounts without updated credit card information are receiving automated calls from 18555536646 with caller ID name, Fongo. I believe the intent is to remind users to update credit card information, unless they want to risk account suspension or, eventual, termination.

[Liptonbrisk]

There's now an option to prepay the 911 fee: https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... bbe4bb0871. There's also an option to switch to annual billing.

Lastly, the new VoIP unlock key pricing has been reduced to $99.50 + tax.

[tanny]

There's now an option to prepay the 911 fee: https://www.fongo.com/freephoneline-911 ... bbe4bb0871. There's also an option to switch to annual billing.

Lastly, the new VoIP unlock key pricing has been reduced to $99.50 + tax.

Well, "prepaying 911 fees annually", now that is a much handier feature than having to login to my account every month just to make sure they got their $1.95 pound-of-flesh out of me.
Personally, I would rather pay yearly (for that 911 fee), and that way NOT worry about monthly trifles.

Thanks again.

[Liptonbrisk]

Thanks again.

You're welcome.

[Liptonbrisk]

The latest round of emails from Fongo have been clearer, in my opinion, with respect to why a 911 monthly fee has been introduced. The bolded emphasis is mine.


--
“Why Is This 911 Fee Starting?
The CRTC makes it a legal obligation for VoIP providers like FreePhoneLine to provide 911 service to all active Canadian phone numbers: See CRTC article at https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/911/voip.htm.

With VoIP service, we're not able to know your location when you make a call, therefore we must use a third party 911 service that will answer your call and verify your location (ask you or if un-responsive, lookup your 911 address in your account) then transfer your call to the correct emergency dispatch for your area. The costs of this third party’s services have risen to unforeseen levels, so we can no longer provide free-to-use service.”
--



(I am now typing this).
The third party service is Nothern911: https://www.northern911.com/911-service ... 1services/. When dialing 911 using Freephoneline, you reach a Nothern911 representative.



The Northern911 website provides the following information below.

“Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-44

The CRTC Ruling regarding routing of fixed/non-native and nomadic VoIP 9-1-1 calls to public safety answering points states:

“In this Decision, the Commission determines that it is inappropriate for voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to deliver 9-1-1 calls from their fixed/non-native and nomadic VoIP customers to public safety answering points (PSAPs) using low-priority telephone lines or restricted numbers. The Commission considers that zero-dialed emergency call routing service (0-ECRS) is the only available 9-1-1 call routing method on the record that is functionally comparable to basic 9-1-1 service.

The Commission directs all Canadian carriers offering local VoIP service to use 0-ECRS as the interim solution to route fixed/non-native or nomadic VoIP 9-1-1 calls to the PSAPs, pending the development and implementation of a long-term fixed/non-native and nomadic VoIP enhanced 9-1-1 solution. The carriers are to implement this interim solution within 30 days of the date of this Decision.

The Commission also directs Canadian carriers, as a condition of providing telecommunications services to VoIP service providers, to include in their service contracts or other arrangements with these service providers the requirement that the latter comply with the Commission’s determinations in this Decision.”

The CRTC mandated that VoIP providers must provide 911 service to their clients from July 2005 onwards. 911 is not optional. If the IP service uses “non-native” phone numbers, or is used nomadically, providers must implement an interim solution. The CRTC expresses a preference for solutions that route 9-1-1 calls to an intermediate call Centre for screening and routing to the correct PSAP.”




So, Fongo is basically telling us that its Northern911 fees have increased to “unforeseen levels”, and Northern911 tells us that 911 isn’t optional. A chat with a CRTC representative confirmed that 911 isn’t optional for VoIP services that are intended to replace traditional analogue phone lines, which was the original intent of VoIP unlock keys despite the capacity for them to be used on any device that can run a SIP client.

We don’t know how much Northern911 is charging Fongo and to what extent fees charged by Northern911, specifically to Fongo, have increased, and neither business is obligated to tell us.

The CRTC doesn’t regulate how much VoIP services can charge for 911 access, and CCTS’ scope doesn’t extend to 911 fees, as far as I can tell.

Anyway, I doubt the explanation provided by Fongo placates its angriest customers, but for others, at least the source of increased costs has been indicated.

[koreybray]

I appreciate the transparency but I do find it hard to believe that Fongo/FPL is the only provider dealing with such an increase. Sadly only Fongo/FPL has decided to charge $1.95 plus tax. I do believe they are using it as a way to make some money from customers who have paid once and not again.

The reason people are upset is how it was sold. Pay once... Never again. It feels very bait and switch..

There was other ways to handle this that would have been more acceptable to current customers. They could have applied the charge to new customers only at a higher rate. They could have actually followed their threats and changed people per call to 911. They also could have switched providers from Northern911. Based on google northern911 is a better choice but there is other options. The crtc doesn't say they have to only deal with northern911.

This all being said . They made a business decision. I have made some decisions and moved some of my accounts to another provider that doesn't force 911 on customers. It's a choice if I choose for a monthly fee. I dropped back to just 2 accounts. I may move to one if I find things working well with my new provider. It's costing me less paying them 25 cents a month plus 00.00035 cents a min than I will spend on just 911.

The port out was messy on the fongo side. I had to reach out after it was ported many times to have the port finished so fongo/FPL customers could call. Support wasn't very good in this regard throwing around blame on the new provider for an issue isolated to just fongo/ FPL but it's fixed

Sadly I can no longer recommend this company and support Canadian because of how this was handled. I will keep my home phone with fongo and want 911 for that line. Should the 911 fee go up next year? I will be gone completely. Voting with your wallet is the only thing companies understand in 2024...

[Liptonbrisk]

I appreciate the transparency but I do find it hard to believe that Fongo/FPL is the only provider dealing with such an increase.

The other major Bring-Your-Own Device, SIP service providers have always charged a monthly fee for 911 access, or the monthly service fee with included minutes was already substantially higher than Freephoneline's $0 anyway. Since they were charging a higher fee for 911 access already, it stands to reason an increase in fees from Nothern911 wouldn't affect those other providers as much, and regardless, we have no way of knowing what Northern911's billing structure is with other providers anyway, much less Freephoneline's.

As we know, Freephoneline never charged anyone for 911 service before.


Prices below are in USD
------

Callcentric
"A setup fee of $1.50 and a monthly fee of $1.50 apply to each Callcentric account requiring 911 service."
"If you are located in the United States or Canada and have purchased a rate plan for outbound calling, or a phone number to receive calls we must provide you with 911 service as per FCC regulations in the US, and CRTC regulations in Canada."

Anveo's site indicates that "Basic E911 is $1.5 per month (plus $2 one time setup fee) per E911 record."
"You can not opt-out if you have indicated that you are residing in USA or Canada."

VoIP.ms indicates that "Customer will be charged a recovery setup fee of $1.50 and a regulatory recovery fee of $1.50 per month for each DID submitted to the e911 database. " VoIP.ms makes 911 optional, and a CRTC officer in chat suggested filing a report against VoIP.ms, which . . .

I'm also aware that 911 is optional with BulkVS.

Callcentric and Anveo allow users to opt out of 911 by claiming they're not in Canada or the U.S. when signing up for an account, but you can't do that with Freephonline, which requires Canadian residency. The CRTC rep also states that 911 isn't supposed to be optional.

It's interesting that VoIP.ms states, "Use of e911 Service costs a recovery setup fee of $ 1.50 on activation and a regulatory recovery fee of $ 1.50 per DID number activated per month. VoIP.MS does not make a cent on this charge[;] it is simply what must be paid to provide this service."
https://wiki.voip.ms/article/E911
--

The prices above are in USD and not CAD, and today, $1.50 USD is approximately $2.03 CAD.

I do believe they are using it as a way to make some money from customers who have paid once and not again.

I don't dispute that possibility, and you can read my previous speculative thoughts in this thread. However, it is interesting that VoIP.ms uses Northern911 for Canadians as well, charges more for 911 access after currency exchange rates, and claims not to profit on 911 access fees. Since I don't know what the billing arrangement is between Northern911 and Fongo, all I can do is guess.

They also could have switched providers from Northern911.

That's the standard here. VoIP.ms also uses Northern911. Regardless, SIP services need to use a third party 911 service in order to provide 911 access.

It's costing me less paying them 25 cents a month plus 00.00035 cents a min than I will spend on just 911.

Yes, for some, decisions will likely be based on usage. With Freephoneline, unlimited outgoing minutes are included to Canadian provinces. With some other services, people need to factor per minute fees instead.

The port out was messy on the fongo side. I had to reach out after it was ported many times to have the port finished so fongo/FPL customers could call.

Porting notifications go to NPAC (Number Portability Administration Centre) and once activated, the porting changes get broadcasted to CLECs (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier, such as Fibernetics), or, at least, that's my understanding. The updates are supposed to happen automatically, but for whatever reason, Fibernetics' (CLEC with Freephoneline's numbers) interval for updates seems to be a bit slower than with some other carriers. I find these types of issues typically resolve within 24 to 48 hrs after you receive a notice that porting has been completed.

Sadly I can no longer recommend this company and support Canadian because of how this was handled. I will keep my home phone with fongo and want 911 for that line. Should the 911 fee go up next year? I will be gone completely. Voting with your wallet is the only thing companies understand in 2024

That's certainly your choice, and I appreciate your thoughts.

[koreybray]

[
------

Callcentric
"A setup fee of $1.50 and a monthly fee of $1.50 apply to each Callcentric account requiring 911 service."
"If you are located in the United States or Canada and have purchased a rate plan for outbound calling, or a phone number to receive calls we must provide you with 911 service as per FCC regulations in the US, and CRTC regulations in Canada."

Anveo's site indicates that "Basic E911 is $1.5 per month (plus $2 one time setup fee) per E911 record."
"You can not opt-out if you have indicated that you are residing in USA or Canada."

VoIP.ms indicates that "Customer will be charged a recovery setup fee of $1.50 and a regulatory recovery fee of $1.50 per month for each DID submitted to the e911 database. " VoIP.ms makes 911 optional, and a CRTC officer in chat suggested filing a report against VoIP.ms, which . . .

I'm also aware that 911 is optional with BulkVS.

Callcentric and Anveo allow users to opt out of 911 by claiming they're not in Canada or the U.S. when signing up for an account, but you can't do that with Freephonline, which requires Canadian residency. The CRTC rep also states that 911 isn't supposed to be optional.

The prices above are in USD and not CAD.

I have noticed this misinformation being floated here about other companies that I have personal experience with and wanted to clear things up. The wording on all the above can be taken differently. It has to be made available, but NOT forced. Having a fax machine for example... 911 is stupid to pay for is a great example.

Call Centric. 911 is in fact optional. They do not force you to take 9-11 from my experience. They are also a US company and DO NOT have to comply with the CRTC's orders for the most part. When I had numbers there, I was never forced to take 911. Moved away due to number prices.

VOIP.MS... another company that does not REQUIRE you to have 911.. they strongly recommend it, but it's not required. They operate servers in Canada and the USA.. so not sure how that plays a part.. They have it available, but not forced on customers.

Anveo/Anveo Direct who I just moved away from due to poor quality, always left 911 optional. They say one thing, but reality is different.

Bulkvs who I've moved my numbers away from FPL to + Moved my Anveo numbers to, leaves it optional, with much lower rates than Anveo direct and quality has been great! Even in US funds, at 25 cents for a number and 0.003 cents a min it's great value. They have been awesome to work with on porting, to setting up service... I actually was impressed, they force you to prove you are a real person to ensure spammers are not getting on their network... Really on par with my FPL experience.

I have never been dishonest of where I live.. and never once was told I HAD to add it or pay for it. For secondary numbers, it really felt stupid to pay $2 per month per number, especially one number that got used for a fax machine. (oddly i still have to send faxes once and a while) Will it stay this way? Who knows? but right now... $1.95 + tax feels a bit steep for what it is... and feels like a way to make revenue. I'm willing to bet it will increase yearly as corporate targets change.. I hope I'm wrong...

[Liptonbrisk]

I have noticed this misinformation

I'm quoting directly from their websites.

being floated here about other companies that I have personal experience

I have/had accounts with VoIP.ms, Anveo, Anveo Direct, Callcentric, and others. With many of these providers, I've had accounts for over a decade, and they're still active.

It has to be made available, but NOT forced.

Not according to the CRTC rep in chat
I've chatted with more than one as well. It's been an interesting experience.

In Canada, it's required, when the VoIP service is intended to replace a traditional, residential landline, apparently.

The Northern911 site's interpretation of Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-44 states 911 isn't optional either for these VoIP service providers either.
https://www.northern911.com/911-service ... 1services/
"The CRTC mandated that VoIP providers must provide 911 service to their clients from July 2005 onwards. 911 is not optional."

Call Centric. 911 is in fact optional.

No, 911 is not optional unless you specify that you're not using the service in Canada or the U.S.

I've had Callcentric accounts. Plural.

https://www.callcentric.com/faq/23/162
"Do I need to have 911?
If you are located in the United States or Canada and have purchased a rate plan for outbound calling, or a phone number to receive calls we must provide you with 911 service as per FCC regulations in the US, and CRTC regulations in Canada."

https://www.callcentric.com/features/911
"* A 911 Service Fee is required for all customers located in the US/Canada."


People can avoid claiming they're in Canada when signing up/ordering services. I'm not advising that anyone do that.

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/newegg- ... #p25093731
"As per the FCC (in the US) as well as the CRTC (in Canada), as per their regulations, we are required to provide you with 911 services, as mentioned on this FAQ (http://www.callcentric.com/faq/23/162).

The only way to remove 911 from your account would be if you plan on using our services from outside of the United States and Canada. If that was the case then you would visit the following page (https://my.callcentric.com/911_outside_us.php) and specify that you are not using our services from within the United States or Canada." -- Callcentric support staff

They do not force you to take 9-11 from my experience.

They absolutely do when you sign up claiming you're using the service in Canada and sign up for a Canadian number.

They are also a US company and DO NOT have to comply with the CRTC's orders for the most part.

Yes, they do. As a service provider selling Canadian numbers used within Canada, to Canadian residents, Callcentric (based in New York) is subject to CRTC's regulations, which mandate the provision of 911 service, regardless of the location of the provider's physical operations.

VOIP.MS... another company that does not REQUIRE you to have 911

Yes, and a CRTC rep in chat actually suggested reporting them.

Anveo/Anveo Direct

I have accounts with both Anveo (retail) and Anveo Direct (wholesale) services. Anveo Direct (wholesale) doesn't have the requirement or offer 911; I think it can avoid the requirement because it's a wholesale service provider, uses a dialing prefix with IP authentication instead of SIP registration, and, in turn, isn't intended for use as the primary line in a residence or as a residential service.

Conversely, Anveo's website states, for its retail service, "Can I opt out of E911?
You can not opt-out if you have indicated that you are residing in USA or Canada."
https://www.anveo.com/faq.asp?code=faq_e911


"Is E911 mandatory or optional?
Due to regulations E911 is mandatory for users who specified USA or Canada as their country of residence. No outgoing calls from SIP/ATA device can be placed without E911 configured
https://www.anveo.com/faq.asp?code=faq_ ... .mandatory

In fact, I called a sales rep for Anveo (retail) once, years ago, and complained that VoIP.ms doesn't have that requirement (so why I should I be forced to), and the guy actually yelled at me that he doesn't care about other service providers breaking rules. At the time, I think he received that complaint often about forced 911. Very serious dude.

They say one thing, but reality is different.

The reality is you're forced to have Anveo's retail (not Anveo Direct) 911 service, if after logging in at https://voice.anveo.com/accountPreferences.asp, (navigating to "My Account"-->"Account Preferences), "Country of your residence" shows "Canada", and that's the reason why some people have chosen a different location, initially, in order to avoid Anveo retail's 911 fee.




As I mentioned previously, it's not possible to claim you don't live in Canada when buying a VoIP unlock key.

who I just moved away from due to poor quality

With Anveo Direct, it's pretty easy to switch Tier 1 carriers or carriers in general, unlike VoIP.ms (which forces me to complain first, test, ask them to switch again, complain, test, etc.). I don't use VoIP.ms often anymore for that reason.

I can continue typing (yes, I fax sometimes too, and I like that Freephonline works with T.38 fax protocol) about other VoIP service providers I have active accounts with as well, but I think I would prefer to enjoy the weekend now.



I do understand the disappointment with the introduction of new fees.

[senos]

When updating a credit card, there is no field for "CVC"
Will the fee be collected?

[Liptonbrisk]

When updating a credit card, there is no field for "CVC"

That's normal.

"The CVV is only required for on demand (immediate purchases)."

So that explains why it's required for World Credit and number porting payments but not for the 911 monthly fee.

Otherwise, for monthly payments, "pre-authorized credit cards are sent to the processor, and [Fongo] receives a token for future pre-authorized transactions. Credit card details aren't fully stored, so Fongo does not have the actual full credit card details on file." Instead they use tokens for pre-authorized transactions, which is safer.