1800 numbers are not free calls.

[Ray67]

You might not be charged long distance rates but you lose the minutes in your package. Does not seem right to me. The company paying for the 1800 number is trying to make it easier for the customer calling. When the line is busy and you are waiting to get service your minutes are ticking away and when they are gone Telus will start charging.

[BillTelusCust · Accepted solution]

Any call you make on your phone is going to use airtime.  The company paying for the 800 number is not paying for your airtime, just the long distance.  It is the same when you make a local call, it is free from a landline and incurs airtime when you use a mobile phone.

Nowadays, there are many plans that have unlimited airtime.  If this is an issue for you,  you might wish to explore one of these.

This charging of airtime has been in place for decades, and may seem strange to you but it is the way it is set up and the way it is done.

[Ray67]

It is time for some things to change. Just because its been like this for a long time does not mean it needs to stay that way.

Most people are moving away from fixed line phones and technology is getting much cheaper and efficient to provide those services.

[BillTelusCust]

Yes, Ray67, that's true.  That's why we now have plans which include unlimited airtime and unlimited calling, within Canada, anyway.  When this type of cell phone first came out, they charged for a lot more things. So I have mitigated the issue for myself, by having unlimited airtime and long distance.  So have just about everyone I know.  If I see a direct or an 800 number now, I even just call the direct number since it is no difference in cost to me and it will affect the cost at the other end.

I'm not sure what sort of "change" you're looking for.  If you're thinking that the 800 number plans are going to start paying for the airtime of those who do not wish to pay it, i believe that those # or * code numbers do that, but I'm not sure.

In any case, this problem you speak of is pretty much solved for a lot of people.  I think one would get some push back from people on 800 numbers having to pay airtime, particularly since in many or most cases, airtime isn't an issue.

(edited to correct some typing errors)

[Ray67]

I could get a lot of things if I choose to pay more.

Another issue is getting charged for calls received. Many countries don't do this anymore. I guess like you I could just pay more and accept the conditions as they are.

Thanks for your replies. I think enough said.

[BillTelusCust]

There are quite a few different setups for mobile calls. I don't know who or which country has the best one.  I would like to see our overall bills go down and see our data allowances increased.  I don't like the overage prices.   I think we should just get throttled if we don't pro-actively buy more data when it runs out.

However, I am not having issues with how the inbound/outbound/800 calls are being charged.

[rc]

You could install a WiFi calling app on your smartphone to not use the minutes included in your calling plan. Skype, hangouts and fongo are possibilities.

[DennisOlson]

yes i too been charged