NPA-NPX Calling List - Free Calling Destinations

[Jake]

Not sure where to put this, so I put it in tips and tricks.

I was interested in seeing if I could find all the npa-npx numbers we can dial for free, so I made up a list. A BIG assumption has been made by me here in that all the numbers registered under Fibernetics are considered on-net (is that the right word) to us as FPL users. I got the list from here http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca_pr ... p?ocn=464D

From that list a grabbed all the npa-npx numbers that are listed as being in the same call rates as these numbers and stuffed them all in a database. These should be all the npa-npx numbers we can call.

The list is here http://jasv.ca/fpl/ and is not meant to be considered as either official or complete in any way. It is for information only and maybe you will find it useful in some way. You can order the list by npa-npx, town, or region. (click the headings at the top of the table).

There are currently 7,626 numbers in that list, so ctrl+f will be your friend if looking for something specific. If anyone can see a big mistake I made please let me know. Maybe my big assumption is well off base for example.

[FONGO_steve]

That looks spot-on Jake!

There are two missing regions - Winnipeg and Halifax. We aren't able to offer DIDs in those two regions yet, but we are able to connect free calls there!

I'll make this a sticky - many of our users would love this!

[Jake]

There are two missing regions - Winnipeg and Halifax. We aren't able to offer DIDs in those two regions yet, but we are able to connect free calls there!

Steve, if you can give me the rate centers that we can call there, then I can get those added in also.

EDIT, thanks Steve. Those have now been added to the database to now give 7,626 different NPA-NPX numbers.

[MrDoo]

I don't know if it's too much to ask, but if this could be available in an Asterisk-style dialplan, it would be a great way to make an outbound route for FPL!

For example

20425XXXXX would match a bunch of Winnipeg DIDs.

[Jake]

I don't know if it's too much to ask, but if this could be available in an Asterisk-style dialplan, it would be a great way to make an outbound route for FPL!

For example

20425XXXXX would match a bunch of Winnipeg DIDs.

One of the reasons I wanted to put the list together was to see if I could work out a dial plan, but there is no clear and easy pattern without making a huge dial plan. The best I could think of is to make a plan for the areas you actually dial. The trouble with that for me is I live near Ottawa, so the numbers I mainly dial are all covered. I know the number in Victoria I dial is not covered, so I don't call it via FPL.

The only way I can see a dial plan being useful is if you dial somewhere where the free calling areas are not that complete, say in BC or MB.

The list is all stored in a database, so if anyone wants the data in a different format or sort order, let me know. For instance if you want all the numbers grouped by the first 4 or 5 digits which might help with a dial plan. Or if you want it all in a CSV list etc.

[Jake]

This might help with a basic dial plan. These are the numbers grouped by the first 3, 4 and 5 numbers. Using the first 3 numbers might be a viable option for a basic plan. http://jasv.ca/fpl/first-3-4-5.php

[callopsitte_himself]

Great work Jake.

Makes me think though. Many numbers (or cities) are not listed as On-net but can be reached for free also (ex. Trois-Rivières Qc -819-295-XXXX; Lachute Qc 450-562-XXXX; Mascouche Qc 450-474-XXXX) and so many more. Why is it they don't appear as On-net? Wouldn't it be even more profitable for FPL if they were listed so people could see where they can call? I read that those cities are peripheral to on-net and that's why they're free. Maybe is because you guys don't officially know the extent of your on-net. Then what about a list on the forum that people have found cities not mentionned and they could post them so you can add them to on-net?

[FONGO_kris]

Our footprint is always evolving, areas that are on-net for CALLING aren't necessarily on-net for PORTING (LNP) which is where we get into trouble with customers in those areas wanting to port. I request that future questions of this nature may be emailed to ideas(at)freephoneline(dot)ca, where they can answer in a period not restricted by any time lines. Please note that since the topic of service expansion is always subject to change, emails sent might have delays.

Also note I am by no means trying to be rude to anyone present in this topic or otherwise reading this, but at current times we must stand by our current footprint and say WYSIWYG; The website will be the main and only point of gathering our on-net data, and will always be updated when the expanded areas are set in stone.

[MrDoo]

Thanks Jake,

I agree, it would take a bit of work to figure out an efficient dial plan. For now, I'll use the 4-digit list. Anything not reachable, I can redial with a different prefix to force the call into a different route, or customize the dial plan further to re-route these numbers.

Thanks again!

[Jake]

Thanks Jake,

I agree, it would take a bit of work to figure out an efficient dial plan. For now, I'll use the 4-digit list. Anything not reachable, I can redial with a different prefix to force the call into a different route, or customize the dial plan further to re-route these numbers.

Thanks again!

You're welcome, glad it could help.

As Kris mentioned, and I said in my first post, this is not an official list and is for information only and is just numbers I collected together as my best guess of the areas we should be able to call via FPL.

[TheHardy]

Just to bump this up to current, I would like to let everyone know that Jake has updated his information, and that he also has a companion page available listing all the cities. Warning tho, the NPA-NXX page is quite large and does take a bit to load (even at broadband speeds!)

links:
http://jasv.ca/fpl/
http://jasv.ca/fpl/towns.php

Again, these are Jake's, not mine, just bumping it up!

[TheHardy]

In going back and re-reading some older posts, I think that if there is a pending update of the FPL website, that there are some clear distinctions and explanations that have to be put forward. As was pointed out by Kris (and also Steve in a different board), there has been some confusion amongst FPL users. I would guess that most of us posting here regularly have some intrinsic understanding of telephony, but this is not always the case, especially for 'regular' users that dare not delve into the forums to seek out information.

Myself, I DO have a better-than-average knowledge of basic telephony (not VOIP mind you, or regulatory items either!), which is probably why I a a stickler for trying to get clear and concise information, and also increase my understanding.

First thing to clear up, IMHO, is the "Free Calling Area". A clear definition of this need to be on the website. In short "calls to the following ratecentres are considered FREE calls incurring no cost". IMHO, this should be organized around 'major metropolitan areas' or 'core cities' (as I have stated previously) -- therefore, you would have listed VANCOUVER and then all of its associated local calling ratecentres. This listing should be as up-to-date as possible, to help ensure the maximum deployment and acceptance of FPL.

Second thing, IMHO, would be the porting issue, as to which ratecentres are 'portable' to FPL. This would seem to overlap a third item, which is in which ratecentres FPL can offer DID numbers (and of course explain Direct Inward Dial in layman's terms). Here also crops up an issue where my partial knowledge of regulatory affairs bounces up against something that I know to be true, at least in my hometown area around Metro Vancouver.

It is my understanding from reading various porting threads, that FPL can only port IN numbers where it has not only a presence, but also assigned numbers in that particlar ratecentre (please correct me if I have read this wrong!). I know that with LNP (Local Number Portability) in Metro Vancouver, that ILEC and CLEC numbers from one ratecentre CAN be moved (not ported, AFAIK, but I have not tried that, or know anyone that has) to another ratecentre as long as it is within the Metro Vancouver LCA (Local Calling Area). For those that are not familiar with Metro Vancouver, these may not help too much or make sense, but hopefully it will shed some light. Specific examples that I have knowledge of ... (1) a VANCOUVER # (604-732) moved [not ported] to the LADNER/BEACH GROVE ratecentre (604-948) - they are not adjacent, but are all part of the Metro Vancouver LCA; (2) a VANCOUVER # (604-421) moved [again not ported] to WHITE ROCK (604-531) ratecentre; (3) an ALDERGROVE mobile # (778-808) PORTED to a NEWTON (604-572) ratecentre; (4) VANCOUVER ratecentre #s (604-566) initially assigned into NEWTON & WHALLEY ratecentres (604-596 / 604-930) by their CLEC [Shaw in this case].

Now example (3) is interesting to me, as the ALDERGROVE ratecentre has the 'main' Metro Vancouver LCA, but additionally has ABBOTSFORD as a local call. I theorize that this only occurred because it was a WIRELESS-->WIRELINE port, but I am unsure.

So that leaves me with the question, regarding PORTING and LCA's ... does it have to be a 100% ratecentre match, or can it be one that mirrors the LCA? Are moves different than ports when different ratecentres are involved, or how would an ILEC handle that? Port the number internally? Just curious.

Anyways, I think I may have muddied the waters enough, but I got my two cents worth in. And got off my chest what I hope are some good ideas for a pending redesign/update of the FPL website too!