[Resolved]: FPL does not recognize local calling area

[TSellers]

I live in Banff, AB (area code 403). A few miles away is Canmore, also 403. Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore have always been part of a local calling area. However, when I try to call a Canmore number, I get a message that it is not part of my tariff plan. Lake Louise is OK.

As FPL offers local numbers in both Banff and Lake Louise, but not Canmore, I suspect that this is somehow related.

Does this mean that I'm going to have to subscribe to the long distance plan just to make a local call, or can the FPL network structure be canged to accomadate this?

When I port my landline number over which is a different area code than my present local FPL number (587), but the same area code as Canmore (403), will the problem resolve itself at that point anyway?

[FONGO_steve]

We usually add the entire rate center, so our local calling would reflect that with Telus, Bell, etc.

Can you PM me your number and a number in the city you should be able to call but can't? I will try to look into this as soon as I can.

[TSellers]

From what I'm told, you should be able to reach that neighboring city of yours within the next 1-2 months. ..[snip]. Everything is being rolled out as a big update in the next 1-2 months.

Hi Steve,

As you'll recall, this quote was from a PM you sent me on March 5. As of now still not able to make any calls to the other prefix in my local calling area and as it is now more than 2 months, wondering what the expected ETA of this rollout/update may now be?

[FONGO_steve]

From what I'm told, you should be able to reach that neighboring city of yours within the next 1-2 months. ..[snip]. Everything is being rolled out as a big update in the next 1-2 months.

Hi Steve,

As you'll recall, this quote was from a PM you sent me on March 5. As of now still not able to make any calls to the other prefix in my local calling area and as it is now more than 2 months, wondering what the expected ETA of this rollout/update may now be?

A tariff plan update will be made in the next 24hrs which will bring full calling to Banff and all of it's local rate centers which were not added prior. We apologize for the delay with this - this region was a little unique when it got added but we do have full coverage in the full local rate center for Banff now.

[TSellers]

Sounds promising, thanks for looking into that.

Edit: Works now, thanks very much for the follow up on that!

[callopsitte]

First off I want to thank Steve for all his help with me excluding him from my rage I have with FPL.

1st What is a tariff plan update? Does it mean that when you announce an on-net calling area that we cannot call with our FPL number that it will be fixed.

2nd Is the update here in question just for Banff or will it be for all your cities listed (I'm thinkink of Alfred which shouls be an on-net calling area but that I cannot call with my Ottawa FPL number).

Now, why do FPL port numbers and what is the use of porting numbers if we cannot neither receive nor make calls? The only thing it seems to do is get money in to FPL (seems more like a rip off).

A) Alfred is an on net calling area but even with my FPL number I get the "This call is not covered by your tariff plan" message.

B) Over 13 months ago I paid a config file + porting fee to learn afterwards my Hawkesbury number was not portable and finally have been told I agreed to such policies and will not be reimbursed. Where were those policies first of all? Then I accepted the fact hoping that a year would be enough to be able to port as I'm inbetween Ottawa and Montreal and even closer like Ile Perrot were it is possible to port and that because I already paid it would almost be automatic. Well still not able to port and don't have the slightest idea if I'll get serviced in a week or 25 years from now.

C) I got my sister in law to port her Alfred number 2 months ago (just to mention that I still believed in FPL to do so). She finally got her number ported 53 days later (thanks to me for PM Steve and thanks to Steve for telling me to send LOA form as the 1st one got "lost") She too paid a config file + porting and cannot neither make calls nor receive any. This is going on for 2 full weeks now. Because she ported that also means she has no other phone and has to pay a dry loop fee for her internet.

After many PM to Steve he forwarded to the people it concerns who are suppose to look into this ASAP as he has done his best and this matter is not of his department. That has been 2 days ago. In this situation shouldn't I not be left in the dark as what is being looked at and done? At least be reassured that they are looking into it?

I'm certain nobody can't disagree that these situations are awful and FPL should be more careful guidind its future customers.

All this said, shouldn't I be allowed to at least know if these situations will be resolved soon and if FPL will expand in our area soon also (meaning not telling me a vague "in 1-2 months" so we can decide what to do?

Now I feel a little better (but just a teeny, weeeny, little bit).

[FONGO_kris]

callopsitte,

I am the one whom Steve has passed the information to, I'll send you a formal email regarding this issue and what we plan out doing about it - I will also provide you some insight to the non-reimbursement of the $19.95 for LNP.

I also want to add that though I've not corresponded (sorry) it is because I've been busy sifting through tariffs and such to try and find a solution for you.

[callopsitte]

I would not be right not following on my posts.

My Syster in law's problem as been fixed as of tonight and I want to thank Kris personnally for his correspondance but also for his work on this as all the others who were working at this to make it right.

As for the porting of my Hawkesbury number I don't know yet when and how but that is really just ½ a problem that can still wait a bit (but of course I will be very glad if it can be done very soon).

I just want to add that many times we have problems and we just throw it at the others when in fact we might be the ones not doing something right. My problem was real and even so I tried not to be to hard here by just relating the facts and not to swear at people.

So please if you have difficulties with your FPL do things right when talking to the people who work there. I have proof that they can and do their best to make things right.

[FONGO_kris]

My problem was real and even so I tried not to be to hard here by just relating the facts and not to swear at people.

So please if you have difficulties with your FPL do things right when talking to the people who work there. I have proof that they can and do their best to make things right.

Why thank you very much callopsitte, I do appreciate your bit about not swearing at us as we at Freephoneline are timid folk ... Joking.

But all the same I'm glad to have seen your issue through to the end and made sure it was resolve, and that you (and of course your sister in law) were happy.

[callopsitte]

Please can you tell me if it's by accident while correcting the Afred number issue or was added Hawkesbury to your list of portable numbers. As When I call from my Ottawa FPL number to my Hawkesbury Bell landline number it rings and can talk to myself (lol) which was not possible before.

Please, please I'm so anxious to know. When I toght I could get completely rid of Bell last year I was so excited. Now can it be happening? And I'm even ready to go from door to door here with my ATA to tell everyone (my ATA in hand they'll have proof).

[FONGO_kris]

What I'll do is pull up our full tariffs Monday and see what went on, and if you can indeed ditch Bell altogether!

[callopsitte]

Oh please, please Kris,

you've just shown me you're a god (pulling it out for Alfred). Don't let me down and do magic again. Lol.

[FONGO_kris]

you've just shown me you're a god

Well wasn't that a nice stroke to the ol' ego haha. I'll definitely see what I can do for you on Monday callopsitte.

[callopsitte]

Are we Monday yet? Lol

[FONGO_kris]

callopsitte, It's Monday!!!

I'll have a response to you by 1PM and we'll see what you can do.

[MUCH ANTICIPATED UPDATE!]

Callopsitte,

We have indeed added the entire Alfred, ON rate center which does include,

Alexandria, ON
Cornwall, ON
Grenville, QC
Hawkesbury, ON
L'Orignal, ON
Lancaster, ON
Plantagenet, ON
Vankleek Hill, ON

[callopsitte]

Great! Tanks.

YAHOO! YEEPEE YEAH! i'M DANCING WITH NO MUSIC ON. MY HEART IS POUNDING LIKE A DRUM...

1- So just to be certain that means I can port my Bell landline number (613-632-XXXX) and do my local calls or just call from my FPL Ottawa phone number. (I don't want to be in the temporary situation my sister in law was when she ported).

2- I see St-Eugene is not included but it is in my local rate center. If the answer to 1 is yes then does it mean St Eugène will still be local?

3- If the answer is yes to 1 does this mean all those cities can also port their number?

If so I will be sending you right away a new LOA form by email + my last Bell bill and as soon as it is ported I'll be going door to door with my voice capable modem/router to show everyone. Get ready to be busy.

[FONGO_kris]

Well after some research there is a slight catch. Take note of the cities that are local for you now and compare them to Ottawa's rate center.

Since we do not provide DID's for Alfred your number would be classified as an Ottawa number, BUT; if you are able to call from Hawkesbury > Ottawa no problem I wouldn't see any conflicts, but just so you're aware it may pose as an issue.

[callopsitte]

Got your email. Thanks. Will send LOA through it but first:

1- I compared my actual local rate center with the one you wrote. Only difference is you have Plantagenet that I cannot actually call and I have St-Eugene that you do not have but I can actually call (from my actual Bell landline #613-632-XXXX).

A) So put simply does that mean St-Eugene will become long distance for me to call and people in St-Eugene who wants to call me will now have to make long distance?

B) Plantagenet will now become local call for them and me (inbound, outbound)?

2- All cities you mentionned I can call from my FPL Ottawa #613-366-XXXX EXCEPT Alexandria that I can actually call from my Hawkesbury Bell landline #613-632-XXXX.

A) Does that mean that if I port my number I will not be able to call to Alexandria?

B) Does that mean that people from Alexandria will have to do a long distance to call me if my number is ported (while actually it is local for them)?

[callopsitte]

Also forgot as your last line said "BUT if you are able to call from Hawkesbury to Ottawa..."

Actually I can call from Ottawa to Hawkesbury but only with my FPL Ottawa number. From my Hawkesbury Bell landline calling to Ottawa is long distance. (Although I know it is a city included as free calling so I imagine that after porting it will then be possible).

[bridonca]

I am still unable to call numbers in Alexandria, Ontario. (613) 525-xxxx I am still getting the "This call is not covered by your tariff plan" recording. Is this exchange going to kick in eventually or did I misread this this?

[callopsitte]

Bridonca,

Kris (the admin) is suppose to look into this today.

As it has been newly added I suspect it is kind of what happened with my sister in law with her Alfred number; a routing problem.

I've tried all cities that were added recently in that area (Hawkesbury, Cornwall, Plantagenet, etc.) and all correspond to my Bell local tarrif plan excepet we lose St-Eugene and gain Palantagenet. So except Alexandria, for now, they are all working.

I'm sure Kris will find the problem and fix it very soon. He's a miracle worker. Alfred had the same problem and Hawkesbury wasn't even in the on-net list and they made it happen in less than 24 hours after they were made aware the problem was on their side.

[FONGO_steve]

I am still unable to call numbers in Alexandria, Ontario. (613) 525-xxxx I am still getting the "This call is not covered by your tariff plan" recording. Is this exchange going to kick in eventually or did I misread this this?

What city is Alexandria local to that we have coverage in?
I can check into this

[callopsitte]

Alexandria is local to both Hawkesbury (newly added to FPL) and Ottawa.

I also use this page when I want to know for local tarrif plan: http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca_listexch.php

[FONGO_kris]

Very good

And yes callopsitte I have to admit that I missed that when adding it to the tariffs, sorry But all is good now!

As of now, all you'd be losing is St-Eugene. We're also revising the tariffs so it looks like more areas should be added soon to our free calling area within the next month or two.

[callopsitte]

Thanks Kris,

Tried and working good.

...Told you Bridonca some people at FPL are magicians