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Local calls outside your local calling area confusion
July 13, 2008
2:46 pm
Diesel
Guest
Guests

I've gone through the forum and I'm a bit confused on SO's charges for local calls outside your local calling area.

In SO's FAQ's they say that "You are charged long distance charges for any calls while outside your local calling area."

Can people give their experience with this?

Thanks in advance.

July 13, 2008
8:11 pm
pineapples
Guest
Guests

i'm a bit confused as well, but for the following reason (quotes from the SO FAQ):

Are all numbers in my area code considered a local call?

Yes. SpeakOut Wireless offers a larger calling area than traditional Wireless service providers. In fact, many areas in your province are considered a local call. See the current SpeakOut Rates.

so this, to my understanding, would mean if i placed a call from victoria (area code 250) to prince george (also 250) it would go through as a local call? but if i were to call vancouver (area code 778) it would be considered long distance?

and to continue with what Diesel said, if i were to call to victoria from either prince george or vancouver, it would be a long distance call?

even with the recent rate changes, if this is all correct it is still a much, much better deal than my current telus prepaid (33cents/minute local, 66cents/minute long distance)

July 21, 2008
8:51 am
DaBones
Guest
Guests

This LD deal is pretty weird. i can't believe that no-one here knows any more info on it..

I think that area-code-wide local calling is pretty cool. but yes, what about a call to a neighbouring area code that is normally local?

and why are we charged LD to call the area we're standing in if we are travelling? and now, if the first statement is true, and the entire area code is local, then if we are travelling within our home area code but are in a normally LD city, is it still local?

I live in 519/226, with a 226 London number, Windsor is normally LD from any other phone, so apparently I can call there locally? also, if I'm in Windsor can I call Windsor local? what about calling back to London? and if I go to Toronto 416/647, I now have to pay for outgoing TO calls? very weird, it would help if their web site didn't tell you to 'see speakout rates' when that link doesn't show any more info. very confusing these 7/11 speakout ppl.. 7/11 does have yummy slushies tho. 😉 maybe they should put the rules on the cups. haha

August 17, 2008
5:49 pm
pedro
Guest
Guests

I've currently got a Vancouver rogers # - 778 area code. I don't want to lose that number while I go away, but don't want to pay Rogers the monthly number "protection" fee while I'm away....

I want to keep this number alive while I'm in Kingston working until April, but also want a local 613 number.

What's the best way to do this?

August 18, 2008
4:22 am
Big Ang
Guest
Guests

Pedro,

Just buy a speakout phone (Get $100 of airtime and get a free phone and sim now) and port your number to Speakout. Then when you want to return to Vancouver, just port out the number to whichever phone company you want.

That $100 should be enough to cover what little airtime you'll use, and then some.

Unless you'll feel that you'll use less than $50 of airtime total over 8 months (remember, people will still try and call you on your number AND it will be long distance for you), then spend $50 and get a phone from PetroCanada mobility. It'll have about $5 of airtime, so you'll probably have to buy some more airtime sometime within the next 8 months (especially since the 911 monthly fee is around $1/mth). You'll be spending almost as much with this option (my guess is $50 for the phone and at least another $20 for the additional airtime), and be getting a lot less airtime.

August 19, 2008
10:29 pm
iamdrumming
Guest
Guests

I have a question that's kind of tied in to this local call discussion.

On the SO site, it says:

"Are all numbers in my area code considered a local call?

Yes. SpeakOut Wireless offers a larger calling area than traditional Wireless service providers. In fact, many areas in your province are considered a local call."

My cell number starts with area code 289. As far as I know 289 is just given to cell phones in Ontario, and doesn't depict a true geographical area. On the SO site it states "many areas in my province are considered a local call". So when I go up to Tobermory/Port Elgin area next week, and call a local number up there, is that a local call? (I'm from Niagara)

Also, as soon I leave area code 289 to go up north, the roaming icon should come on my phone right?

August 20, 2008
12:54 am
MIKE
Guest
Guests

Yes, you make local with area code that you are in, it local call, but if you call back to your area code from another area code, it is long distances.

August 20, 2008
8:06 am
Bylo
Guest
Guests

289 is the overlay for 905 just as 647 is the overlay for 416. These apply to all types of service, including POTS and wireless. You can make calls to 289/905 as local calls. Everything else, including Tobermory (519/226) is considered LD.

August 20, 2008
7:48 pm
Kay
Guest
Guests

pineapples said:

so this, to my understanding, would mean if i placed a call from victoria (area code 250) to prince george (also 250) it would go through as a local call? but if i were to call vancouver (area code 778) it would be considered long distance?


This is not true. I live in Kingston (area code 613) and to call Ottawa it is long distance.

August 20, 2008
8:02 pm
iamdrumming
Guest
Guests

I live in Niagara Falls, and my cell phone has the 289 area code. I emailed SpeakOut customer service about this, as I will be going to Port Elgin this weekend.

This is their reply:

"The 289 is a 905 overlay area code. From a SpeakOut handset with a 289 area code the following Area codes can called (billed as Local):

289 416 647 519 226 905

These area codes can be called and billed as local regardless of your location. This is different from traditional wireless providers. The Benefit is the much larger local calling area.

So, If you were in Port Elgin or Tobermory calls to local wireline numbers would be billed as a Local Call Regardless of the recording you hear when dialing.

Askspeakout"

So i don't know why Kingston to Ottawa wouldn't be a local call, since it's the same area code. You may want to email SpeakOut as well and ask.

August 21, 2008
12:48 am
MIKE
Guest
Guests

I usual gets message when I dial known long distance number, Toronto to Ottawa, that says this. This call is long distance, if you wish not to hear this message, please dial 1, the area code and then the number.

August 21, 2008
2:50 pm
ortron
Guest
Guests

Hey Mike,

When you place a long distance call, you need to dial in the form:
1 613 *** ****

You are getting this message since the contact on your phone is stored as:
613 *** ****

That message is just telling you to go into your contact, press edit, and then put a 1 in front of the phone number.

August 21, 2008
3:39 pm
elmanl
Guest
Guests

better yet add a + in front
+613 *** ****