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

[Liptonbrisk]

All the other pages (faq/fongo etc..) still contradict what's that page says.

Yeah, I think those ones probably need to be updated. They probably just need to do it before October 1st.

When I get an answer I'll post it in case anyone else would like to know as well..

Thank you! I would like to know what they say too.

[mikoul]

I'm repeating here because no-one seems to have seen my comment:

I saw it, but provincial consumer protection acts may still apply regardless of whatever terms a company creates, if advertising is deemed misleading (or if something else applies). Please note that I'm not advocating that you pursue anything, and I don't know what the outcome would be if you chose to do so.

Exactly, you can write anything you want in a contract, it's not because you write it that it's legal. Clearly here FPL has been misleading their userss with their advertisements.

If FPL had chosen to explain clearly and honestly that the service is loosing money and have asked $9.95 yearly to help them to cover 911 fees I'm pretty sure nobody will have really complained.

But they pushed for at least 3-4 years Fongo on FPL users with misleading advertisements once a year in a email. Now they put a fee that is half the price of Fongo to force you to change, it's not ethical and I'm pretty sure it's not legal based on their advertisement for more than 10 years.

[Liptonbrisk]

If FPL had chosen to explain clearly and honestly that the service is loosing money and have asked $9.95 yearly to help them to cover 911 fees

I'm not convinced that the entire problem is with 911 fees.

While it's true that each 911 call costs Fongo money, it's also possible that some VoIP service providers are charged a small fee for each number that they resell. Perhaps those costs increased.

Adding fees to the 911 category is probably just the best category to use to generate guaranteed revenue.

In my opinion as a customer, I feel that if Fongo were a little more transparent with respect to what is causing the problem, then maybe a few (obviously not all; you can't please everyone) angry customers would be less angry. And yeah, $10+tax per year is less shocking than $24+tax per year, especially for people who have multiple lines, like me.

Regardless, after the Ticketmaster data breach and everything else, I just hate having to store my credit card details online anymore, regardless of encryption and how secure everything is supposed to be. So now I'm looking into prepaid credit cards, which I rarely use.

Worse still, I felt like a jerk having to explain what's going on to others.

[oleas]

I'm repeating here because no-one seems to have seen my comment:

I saw it, but provincial consumer protection acts may still apply regardless of whatever terms a company creates, if advertising is deemed misleading (or if something else applies). Please note that I'm not advocating that you pursue anything, and I don't know what the outcome would be if you chose to do so.

Exactly, you can write anything you want in a contract, it's not because you write it that it's legal. Clearly here FPL has been misleading their userss with their advertisements.

If FPL had chosen to explain clearly and honestly that the service is loosing money and have asked $9.95 yearly to help them to cover 911 fees I'm pretty sure nobody will have really complained.

But they pushed for at least 3-4 years Fongo on FPL users with misleading advertisements once a year in a email. Now they put a fee that is half the price of Fongo to force you to change, it's not ethical and I'm pretty sure it's not legal based on their advertisement for more than 10 years.

Well, I paid not long ago $119 plus $25 for porting the number to FPL for a "FREE" phone line with 911 service included and now they want me to pay again for 911 service. What a scam...it is definitely a misleading advertisement here.

[oleas]

How can we fight this?

How about a class action law suite. The unlock code was advertised as a one time payment.

We definitely have to think about this possibility as well. I would not buy the unlock code if it hadn't been a one-time payment.

[Erft]

I think too many people are getting hung up on 911 specifically instead of Fongo trying to generate revenue for Freephoneline due to increased costs for providing the service. I could be mistaken, but I think 911 fees are just the avenue chosen for increased revenue.

Also, the sudden appearance of $0 monthly invoices may be coincidental, but, in retrospect, I now suspect everything was planned.

It's obvious it was planned. But now that I'm over the initial shock of a monthly bill for Freephoneline, plus I saw in the T&C I agreed to that they reserved the right to do that, I feel okaaay about it. I understand that in the times we live in, it's hard for businesses (except for some we won't mention) to make ends meet, and that the risk of complete end-of-service is a real possibility if Freephoneline can't generate at least some income to cover the costs of its continuation. I'm on a disability pension and there's no way I can afford a regular line or start purchasing new equipment and paying for number porting etc. My Freephoneline is my primary phone line. In light of all that, I'm tentatively fine with contributing $1.95 a month.

[Erft]

oleas wrote: ↑

gpw wrote: ↑

oleas wrote: ↑
How can we fight this?

How about a class action law suite. The unlock code was advertised as a one time payment.
We definitely have to think about this possibility as well. I would not buy the unlock code if it hadn't been a one-time payment.

There is no additional charge for the unlock code. It was, and still is, a one-time payment. You can't bring a class action suit for something that hasn't happened. The only charge Freephoneline is implementing is a $1.95/month charge for the 911 service. That has nothing to do with the unlock code.

[Liptonbrisk]

I'm on a disability pension and there's no way I can afford a regular line or start purchasing new equipment and paying for number porting etc. My Freephoneline is my primary phone line.

I'm genuinely sorry that Freephoneline's pricing has increased, and I wish you the best.

[Erft]

Liptonbrisk wrote: ↑
I'm genuinely sorry that Freephoneline's pricing has increased, and I wish you the best.

Times are tough for (mostly) everyone, and it's not your fault that Freephoneline feels the need to increase the price from free to $1.95/month. I appreciate the wish. Thank you.

[iDrone]

I understand that many of us are disappointed with the recent announcement from FreePhoneLine regarding the new $1.95 monthly fee for 911 services. However, I think it's important to take a moment to reflect on the incredible value we've received from this service over the past (in my case) 13 years, using it as my primary phone service all these years.

For over a decade, FreePhoneLine has provided us (besides the one-time VOIP unlock fee) with a truly free service, which is quite remarkable in today's world. They've managed to keep our monthly costs at zero despite inflation and rising expenses, and for that, I believe they deserve our appreciation. The fact that we've had such a long period of free service is something we can all be grateful for. While it's never ideal to see costs increase, I think we can all agree that the value we've received from FreePhoneLine far outweighs this new fee.

Let's try to keep a positive attitude and appreciate the service we've enjoyed for so long. Here's to hoping for many more years of reliable service from FreePhoneLine!

[mikoul]

If FPL had chosen to explain clearly and honestly that the service is loosing money and have asked $9.95 yearly to help them to cover 911 fees

I'm not convinced that the entire problem is with 911 fees.

While it's true that each 911 call costs Fongo money, it's also possible that some VoIP service providers are charged a small fee for each number that they resell. Perhaps those costs increased.

Adding fees to the 911 category is probably just the best category to use to generate guaranteed revenue.

In my opinion as a customer, I feel that if Fongo were a little more transparent with respect to what is causing the problem, then maybe a few (obviously not all; you can't please everyone) angry customers would be less angry.

I agree but they are not transparent and they used "shadow pattern" in the past on FPL users to push them to Fongo with their confusing email.

When a company is transparent and honest it's always better for them and the customer in the long run.

Also Fongo can't close FPL to escape his obligations to FPL customers, they would jeopardize their licence for Fongo with the CRTC.

[mikoul]

I understand that many of us are disappointed with the recent announcement from FreePhoneLine regarding the new $1.95 monthly fee for 911 services. However, I think it's important to take a moment to reflect on the incredible value we've received from this service over the past (in my case) 13 years, using it as my primary phone service all these years.

For over a decade, FreePhoneLine has provided us (besides the one-time VOIP unlock fee) with a truly free service, which is quite remarkable in today's world. They've managed to keep our monthly costs at zero despite inflation and rising expenses, and for that, I believe they deserve our appreciation. The fact that we've had such a long period of free service is something we can all be grateful for. While it's never ideal to see costs increase, I think we can all agree that the value we've received from FreePhoneLine far outweighs this new fee.

Let's try to keep a positive attitude and appreciate the service we've enjoyed for so long. Here's to hoping for many more years of reliable service from FreePhoneLine!

Corporation are not your friend and are not there for your good but for your money . If they have chosen to make FPL it was not for the good of humanity but because their was a profit to make. FPL used shady tactic to push users to migrate to Fongo over the last years and today it's another one.

[iDrone]

Corporation are not your friend and are not there for your good but for your money . If they have chosen to make FPL it was not for the good of humanity but because their was a profit to make. FPL used shady tactic to push users to migrate to Fongo over the last years and today it's another one.

I never said corporations are our friends, but that doesn't mean you can't appreciate them. You don't have to stay with FreePhoneLine (or Fongo Home Phone Basic, would be a better name now), but good luck finding a service that is cheaper that includes all the features FreePhoneLine provides.

[Khyron]

All the other pages (faq/fongo etc..) still contradict what's that page says.

Thank you! I would like to know what they say too.

I've heard back from support, they confirmed that the 911 is available with the VOIP unlock to all provinces.

I've setup 2 freephone lines with my elderly parents as a backup to get in touch with them when I can't reach them on their cell phone. It's pretty common that they accidentally turn off the ringer or go into airplane mode. I've always told them that 911 doesn't work. so at this point at least the 911 does work..

[Khyron]

I think we can all agree that the value we've received from FreePhoneLine far outweighs this new fee.

What if you've just paid the $150 Voip unlock fee and number transfer in the last few months. what kind of value is that?

[Liptonbrisk]

I've heard back from support, they confirmed that the 911 is available with the VOIP unlock to all provinces.

I've setup 2 freephone lines with my elderly parents as a backup to get in touch with them when I can't reach them on their cell phone. It's pretty common that they accidentally turn off the ringer or go into airplane mode. I've always told them that 911 doesn't work. so at this point at least the 911 does work..

Thank you!

[Liptonbrisk]

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/freepho ... #p39273045

Fongo Support responded to someone with this:

"Since we provide phone service to you, we’re legally required to provide access to 911 emergency services, which we incur costs for. Unfortunately we cannot remove 911 service from your account/service.

We recognize that adjustments to your bill may not be ideal, but there is no contract that states you will receive free-to-use phone service indefinitely. If we did not charge a fee, we would likely have to shut FreePhoneLine service down all together as it does not make sense for us to absorb increasing fees to provide free services."

[bizard]

@RandyG

It actually STILL says 911 is free, as of right now.
https://www.freephoneline.ca/

That's brilliant. Thanks.

@Erft
They're gonna change it very soon.

Changed.

[LoDown]

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/freepho ... #p39273045

Fongo Support responded to someone with this:

"Since we provide phone service to you, we’re legally required to provide access to 911 emergency services, which we incur costs for. Unfortunately we cannot remove 911 service from your account/service.

If they were transparent, they would tell us what the true costs for 911 are. I bet the cost is not $1.95 per phone line per month. Likely more like $0.19 cents per month. Furthermore, it is not true 911 service. If you call 911 on your FPL they will ask for the address where the emergency is happening. Only if the caller cannot speak will they send emergency services to the address on your FPL account...which may be incorrect if you happened to relocate your VOIP ATA device to another location. The CRTC needs to seriously reconsider forcing VOIP providers to provide 911 service to all phone numbers. Like most everything else, it should only be available for users who want it.

[LoDown]

Corporation are not your friend and are not there for your good but for your money . If they have chosen to make FPL it was not for the good of humanity but because their was a profit to make. FPL used shady tactic to push users to migrate to Fongo over the last years and today it's another one.

FPL was started because Fibernetics (FPL owner) made money by connecting each individual phone call to its endpoint in Canada using the network they built. Now that most calls go through cell phones, they don't make as much and are trying out a cash grab by charging 1.95 month per phone number and claiming it is due to having to provide 911 service. There is a minimal cost to provide 911 service, but to claim it is 1.95/month is complete hogwash.


https://www.linkedin.com/company/fibern ... bdomain=ca


If they want to start charging a monthly fee going forward that is ok if they advertise the fee before customers sign-up. To honor their previous "pay once" advert, existing customers should be grand-fathered.

[oleas]

oleas wrote: ↑

gpw wrote: ↑

How about a class action law suite. The unlock code was advertised as a one time payment.
We definitely have to think about this possibility as well. I would not buy the unlock code if it hadn't been a one-time payment.

There is no additional charge for the unlock code. It was, and still is, a one-time payment. You can't bring a class action suit for something that hasn't happened. The only charge Freephoneline is implementing is a $1.95/month charge for the 911 service. That has nothing to do with the unlock code.

Look carefully again, when you make the one-time payment for the unlock code, 911 service is included in the plan. Now they will start charging for 1.95, what is next??? It is clearly a scamm. At the time of purchasing the service, there was a one-time fee including 911 service, anyway, I don't really care about this service as long as I have a cell phone but what I see here is misleading advertising and blackmail where they are scamming people, by offering them a "FREE" deal, collect money and now ask for more, otherwise they shut the service down. And how will you call it?

[oleas]

Corporation are not your friend and are not there for your good but for your money . If they have chosen to make FPL it was not for the good of humanity but because their was a profit to make. FPL used shady tactic to push users to migrate to Fongo over the last years and today it's another one.

FPL was started because Fibernetics (FPL owner) made money by connecting each individual phone call to its endpoint in Canada using the network they built. Now that most calls go through cell phones, they don't make as much and are trying out a cash grab by charging 1.95 month per phone number and claiming it is due to having to provide 911 service. There is a minimal cost to provide 911 service, but to claim it is 1.95/month is complete hogwash.


https://www.linkedin.com/company/fibern ... bdomain=ca


If they want to start charging a monthly fee going forward that is ok if they advertise the fee before customers sign-up. To honor their previous "pay once" advert, existing customers should be grand-fathered.

Exactly!

[Liptonbrisk]

This is just a friendly reminder to please remain civil to your fellow forum members, please. Please create less work for me and anyone else who might be lurking. No one has been incredibly insulting yet. Thanks.

I'm not entirely sure, but one volunteer moderator may no longer be volunteering to moderate, which would be a significant loss to these forums, in my opinion.

Out of principle, this might be a changing point in my FPL journey.

[jenom]

I am not happy about it, but even even with the new $1.95 charge, Freephoneline is still the lowest priced unlimited Voip service.
So I logged into my account, and added a credit card....name, card number, expiry month, expiry year.
To my surprise, they did not ask about the 3 digit code at the back of the card.
Would they be able to charge card without this missing info?

[Liptonbrisk]

Would they be able to charge card without this missing info?

Apparently, yes, but you can ask them here: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/n ... nt_inquiry.