The way long distance charges work can be a bit silly.

One way to look at it is to imagine it's like a bicycle wheel with Toronto as the hub and the regions surrounding Toronto as the spokes.

You can make a call to a region next to yours, but if you go 2 spots over, you're charged.

If you have a Toronto 416 number, you can call Mississauga, Brampton Woodbridge, Markham, etc., without being charged long distance.

If you have a Brampton 905 number, and make a call while in Brampton to a 905 number in Woodbridge, then you are charged long distance even though they are right next to each other. Why? Because it counts as 2 spots over. The call goes Brampton -> Toronto -> Woodbridge.

But if you do the same thing with a 416/647 cellphone, you are not charged long distance. So, you can be at home in Brampton, calling your friend in Woodbridge 5kms away, and if you make the call with your landline it will be long distance, but if you make the call with your 416/647 cellphone it's not.

Should be similar when people call you.

Why is it like that? Who knows, it just is.

Just make things easier on yourself and get a 416/647 number.