vB Easy Archive - What are my LD options?

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What are my LD options?
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Posted by: DrewNL

I need some advice on my possible LD options. Let me start by saying that I currently have a grandfathered rate plan and I'm satisfied with it. I don't want to change the core plan, just add an LD option (unless something great and all inclusive comes along)

I am in St. John's, NL and a large part of my family lives in the Philadelphia area in the US. Currently I pay $0.35/min to make calls to Philly from NL. I'm simply wondering if there is any reasonably priced rate plan add-on that I can subscribe to that would allow me LD calling to the US (whether it be limited or unlimited) while I am in my local area. I'm not talking roaming.

I recently saw someone on this forum mention unlim. North American LD for $15 with Bell. If thats a fact, it'd be super. When in the US with VZW I pay $40/mo for a plan that includes 400 anytime mins and unlim E&W for North America ( as well as some features).

Thanks

Posted by: jase88

Bell's LD options are terrible, IMO. I would consider Yak. Or even prepaid LD that's available from most convenience stores....

With Yak, you can get the service to call you back. This, in conjunction with a incoming minute option, can save you tons of money for calls made during the day.

Posted by: WolfDV

Bell offers N.A LD for $15 to qualifying corp accounts only. so unless you have a corp account that has the opt for it, then u likely wont get that feature.

Posted by: DrewNL

I figured as much with respect to the corp plan.

I've been reading YAK's site to get some info. Am I correct in saying that they work based on access number only and identify me based on caller ID, meaning that if I do not dial their access # I stay on Bell's rates? Effectively, Bell won't know anything about me using YAK, aside from I am dialing the access # locally?

In addition, anyone know the YAK rate to call a US-based cell phone? Its not listed on their rate chart (I'd call YAK to check, but I'm indisposed at the moment

). Their landline rate is 3.5 cents/min but no mobile rate is listed.

Posted by: dataiv

Yes, with YAK you would call an access number first. The mobile rate in North America is the same as land-line rate (unlike many other parts of the world). There is no distinction ... so it would be 3.5c/min also.

Posted by: jase88

You may use access numbers with Yak, or they have a call-back service (as mentioned).

Unfortunately, the only wireless carrier that allows you to switch LD carriers (so that all LD calls from your wireless phone are handled automatically on your choice of LD carrier) is Fido. And only if you live in large cities like Toronto.

Rates to US cell phones are the same as landline on Yak.

And who cares if Bell "knows" that you're using Yak? There is nothing illegal or against your Terms of Service with Bell about using an alternate LD carrier.

Posted by: DrewNL

I'm well aware that it does not have any bearing on ToS or anything like that and I didn't suggest anything about legality.

Its not at all a matter of me caring if Bell Mobility "knows". I don't give a s*** what Bell knows or thinks. I was just wondering. I was curious if it worked the same as landline dial-around numbers of if it was similar to a landline PIC change. Essentially I wanted to know if I was going to start getting the daily loss PIC calls from Bell asking me to come back to them for LD. I got my answer. I'm not as familiar with mobile carrier LD provisioning as I am with residential pstn.

Posted by: ~NeonFire~

Yak doesn't have a local access number for St. John's, but you could add one of the other access numbers to your fab five (if you have a fab five plan) and call that and then use Yak's long distance or just use Yak callback, preferably with unlimited incoming if calls are going to be long, where you just call Yak's Toronto number and it calls you back and then you dial the PA number.

Posted by: Sammy740

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfDV

Bell offers N.A LD for $15 to qualifying corp accounts only. so unless you have a corp account that has the opt for it, then u likely wont get that feature.

Not true!

I've seen it on 3 personal - consumer accounts this week alone!

Posted by: tphill

You could also use a service called Goldline. They offer a St. John's access number and their rate is also a bit better at 2.9 cents/min. I've been using this service for years and never had any trouble. Sound quality is great.

https://shop.goldline.net/cicilink/default.asp

If you're willing to switch cell phone providers, you might consider Koodo. They offer an unlimited NA LD option which is actually advertised, so you don't have to fight/lie/cry to get it.

Posted by: DrewNL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy740

Not true!

I've seen it on 3 personal - consumer accounts this week alone!

REALLY?!? I wonder if its available in the SOC list on the dealer end? I'd really like to make this happen. This'd be the answer for me for sure. I went ahead yesterday and hooked myself up with YAK but I'd rather have an unlim option for $15.

Posted by: DrewNL

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~NeonFire~

Yak doesn't have a local access number for St. John's, but you could add one of the other access numbers to your fab five (if you have a fab five plan) and call that and then use Yak's long distance or just use Yak callback, preferably with unlimited incoming if calls are going to be long, where you just call Yak's Toronto number and it calls you back and then you dial the PA number.

I've been using YAK Callback today. No issues at all. Its rather simple. I'm still going to pursue getting that Bell $15 unlim. I'm not willing to change providers or rate plans right now....I have my reasons.

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy740

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfDV

Bell offers N.A LD for $15 to qualifying corp accounts only. so unless you have a corp account that has the opt for it, then u likely wont get that feature.

Not true!

I've seen it on 3 personal - consumer accounts this week alone!

There must be special requirements. If not, can you confirm this is available to anyone?!

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy740

Not true!

I've seen it on 3 personal - consumer accounts this week alone!

If true, and available to regular consumer accounts, this is good news. I pay $20/month for unlimited NA LD on Rogers Home Phone.

Posted by: Sammy740

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase88

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There must be special requirements. If not, can you confirm this is available to anyone?!

You have to know that it exists.

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy740

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase88

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/109)

There must be special requirements. If not, can you confirm this is available to anyone?!

You have to know that it exists.

Is there a code or something that I could provide the CSR?

What are the terms of the option?!

Posted by: Sammy740

LCD1

blah

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy740

LCD1

blah

Cool, thanks.

So its unlimited North American LD? Anytime? Weekends, daytime, evenings?

Posted by: MacD

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNL

Don't get too excited just yet. A lot of the good features didn't carry over to the Atlantic provinces after the migration.

If it is available to you though, then it should be really easy for you to get if you know the code, because the ex-aliant customers speak to a third party call centre when they call CS.

And they're dumb as hell/Don't give a crap about rules.

Posted by: Sammy740

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase88

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Cool, thanks.

So its unlimited North American LD? Anytime? Weekends, daytime, evenings?

Calls must originate in Canada and terminate somewhere in Canada/USA.

Posted by: ulric

Are you afraid that Bell will harass you if you use YAK?
Call outs to Yak is the only thing I do with my phone, and did on Fido.
Bell telemarketters don't bother you, they just call you, as far as I can tell, twice a year to see if they can do anything for you. In my case, they realize I do no long distance, so they say 'ok thanks' and that's it.

Posted by: kav2001c

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase88

Bell's LD options are terrible, IMO. I would consider Yak. Or even prepaid LD that's available from most convenience stores....

With Yak, you can get the service to call you back. This, in conjunction with a incoming minute option, can save you tons of money for calls made during the day.

$0.10 per minute is "terrible"?
With YAKs service charges chances are it costs you more than what Bell charges (and besides Bell also has free options)

Posted by: shortstuffpb

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

$0.10 per minute is "terrible"?
With YAKs service charges chances are it costs you more than what Bell charges (and besides Bell also has free options)

YAK doesn't have service charges.

Posted by: DrewNL

I'm on the phone with them now....lets see how it goes.

Edit: I was told that it is not possible and that it can be added only to corporate accounts 'where people spend millions of dollars'.

"Its not even possible to add it to your account and if any dealer told you it could, tell them I said that they need to do their research". -John@Bell Mobility/ICT

Now, I know full well that this guy is working for ICT in NB and that might mean HE cannot add it an its "impossible" based on his training, but I know that physically adding it is not impossible.

Can dealers add this to an account. I'm very close to some local dealer reps. Can I mosey in and have them add it?

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase88

$0.10 per minute is "terrible"?
With YAKs service charges chances are it costs you more than what Bell charges (and besides Bell also has free options)

Try $0.30/minute. That's what my plan charges me...regardless of day or evening.

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNL

I'm on the phone with them now....lets see how it goes.

Keep us posted!

Posted by: DrewNL

Bell currently charges me $.35/min for LD. Thats crazy. The guy I just spoke to (see my above post, which I edited) tried to sell me the usual North American LD options, which are ludicrous. I politely said no

Posted by: jase88

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Darn--so its not possible. Looks like its Yak for me...

Posted by: DrewNL

YAK has worked out rather well for me. I use YAK callback and it turns out I'm not charged at all! But I'd still be willing to pay $15/mo with Bell if I could get that added (just for the benefit of direct dialing)

Posted by: gundagordy

Instead of talking to frontline reps, why not talk directly to Retentions? Maybe they are able to apply it to Consumer accounts.

Just an assumption, but having $15/month for Unlimited N.A. calling sounds like a Retention offer to me.

When I worked there, that feature was available on DynamicBiz plans. If you had E/W on your DynamicBiz plan, then you paid $35 for the feature, as opposed to $15/month.

Posted by: patiostone

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNL

YAK has worked out rather well for me. I use YAK callback and it turns out I'm not charged at all! But I'd still be willing to pay $15/mo with Bell if I could get that added (just for the benefit of direct dialing)

Wait till month end.

Posted by: Sammy740

Depending on the Corporate account it can be extra if you have Eve & Wknds....these days LCD1 is allowed on with eve n wknd without additional fees.

I just did a HUG for a customer 25 minutes ago who had it on a Personal-Consumer line. The plan was a FamilyShare 60.

Its most likely only available through Loyalty these days. I added it onto my father's business line 2 years ago.

Its not available for Bell World store employees to add unless its for a Corporate account.

Posted by: jase88

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So its sort of like the 1000 minute LD option that Rogers offers through retentions? (Though it seems somewhat easier for those folks to add on).

Bell should offer this to everyone. Especially since they didn't do anything for those of us who used Roamer Access Numbers (which no longer exist).

Posted by: ulric

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

$0.10 per minute is "terrible"?
With YAKs service charges chances are it costs you more than what Bell charges (and besides Bell also has free options)

someone already replied, but I have to ask, what service were you thinking of?
yak is 0.03$ a minute, no minimum , no service charge. you only pay for what you use! nothing can be cheaper . don't use it ? pay nothing.

Posted by: kav2001c

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulric

Oh differant
Most of those services charge monthly fees & connection fees

However the locations you can use Yak are *very* limited (18 cities in all of Canada... 11 of those in ON, 2 AB, 3 BC, 2 PQ)

Still I suppose if you never travel its a good deal... but if no "mobility" wouldnt it be cheaper to call from a landline anyways?

Posted by: jase88

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulric

You can go to any local convenience store and buy a prepaid card that will give you far cheaper LD.

Heck, even Bell's prepaid card is far cheaper than dialing direct on my cell!

Posted by: lmcjipo

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

$0.10 per minute is "terrible"?
With YAKs service charges chances are it costs you more than what Bell charges (and besides Bell also has free options)

I don't think that $0.10 per minute is terrible as long as you don't have to purchase a plan and it is strictly pay per use and with direct calling. I think that $0.10 is a very good price for direct calling. I pay between $0.10 and $0.15 on my prepaid US SIM when I travel to the US for any calls to Canada and to the US. Prepaid cards would/could be cheaper but not as convenient.

I'm not sure where you got your informtion regarding Yak but they don't charge any service charges when I used them. I haven't used them in awhile since I have unlimited North American calling with Skype and MagicJack. Skype even works very well on my cellphone using 3G.

Posted by: lmcjipo

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

Still I suppose if you never travel its a good deal... but if no "mobility" wouldnt it be cheaper to call from a landline anyways?

Yak has features that are good for cellphone users. If you have an unlimited incoming plan, their YakCallBack is very good. You just dial a Toronto number and hang up. The number then calls you back where you enter the long distance number of the person that you're trying to reach. You then pay based on Yak's rates which are in most cases lower than what cellphone providers charge on a pay per usage basis. They also have a local number option where you call a local number from your cellphone much like a prepaid card. Both are pay per usage without any service charges that I'm aware of.

Posted by: kav2001c

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmcjipo

From what I read on thier site its mainly for ON residents
Excluding GTA there only are 7 cities in all of Canada that support the Yak Callback

BUt like I said if in TO it is a nice deal

Posted by: patiostone

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

From what I read on thier site its mainly for ON residents
Excluding GTA there only are 7 cities in all of Canada that support the Yak Callback

BUt like I said if in TO it is a nice deal

Only 5 cities? Where are you getting your info, or are you just guessing? Verify before you make statements.

The following is a quote from YAK's website

How It Works:
YAK CALLBACK is a feature that can be used from any cell phone across Canada and USA. It's so easy:
1. If you're not saving with already, sign-up here, or by calling 1.800.490.7235.
2. Dial 416.204.0004 from your cell phone from anywhere in Canada or USA 24/7.
3. You will be connected to our system and receive a busy signal. This means your number has been recognized and you can hang up.
4. Within seconds you will receive an incoming call from prompting you to dial the number you would like to call.
5. Simply dial the number you wish to call without pressing SEND and enjoy low per minute long distance rates.

Posted by: kav2001c

Quote:

Originally Posted by patiostone

Yup go read thier website for local access numbers (or re-read my post above)
18 cities in all of Canada, 11 of those in Ontario (which leave 7 cities? Where did you get 5 from???)

416 only works if you are in Toronto
Dial that anywhere else you get charged for LD twice (Yaks rates + incoming LD rates as outside your LCA)

Posted by: shortstuffpb

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

You don't pay LD on incoming calls, no matter where they're from, as long as you're inside your LCA.

Posted by: jase88

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/109)

Yak is merely an example. There are other LD services available. And prepaid options are cheap and available everywhere.

Posted by: patiostone

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

You are mixing up YAK's regular CELL LONG DISTANCE with the CALL BACK service.

The CALL BACK service has nothing to do with the local access numbers, it is entirely different.
When you call the Toronto number from anywhere in NORTH AMERICA, YAK does not answer it. They know who you are, so call you back. Since you have UNLIMITED INCOMING, you are not charged airtime. Then you dial the LD number.

HOW SIMPLE CAN IT GET

IF YOU NOW DON"T UNDERSTAND I JUST GIVE UP!!!!!

The CALL BACK SERVICE only uses ONE number for all of NORTH AMERICA. 416.204.0004.

PLEASE READ THE YAK WEBSITE IN IT'S ENTIRETY BEFORE YOU WRITE ANY MORE INACCURATE STATEMENTS

EVERYTHING YOU HAVE WRITTEN SO FAR ABOUT YAK HAS BEEN WRONG.

HERE IS YAK'S CALL BACK DESCRIPTION AGAIN. PLEASE READ IT!!! UP TO NOW YOU HAVE NOT!!!

How It Works:
YAK CALLBACK is a feature that can be used from any cell phone across Canada and USA. It's so easy:

2.Dial 416.204.0004 from your cell phone from anywhere in Canada or USA 24/7.
3. You will be connected to our system and receive a busy signal. This means your number has been recognized and you can hang up.
4. Within seconds you will receive an incoming call from YAK CALLBACK prompting you to dial the number you would like to call.
5. Simply dial the number you wish to call without pressing SEND and enjoy low per minute long distance rates.

Posted by: lmcjipo

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

From what I read on thier site its mainly for ON residents
Excluding GTA there only are 7 cities in all of Canada that support the Yak Callback

BUt like I said if in TO it is a nice deal

No, the way it works is that you dial the number from your registered cellphone (which has to have its number unblocked). The system does not answer. You hang up and since no one answered your long distance call to Toronto, you don't get charged. The Yak system then calls you back at your registered number and prompts you to enter the long distance number that you are trying to reach. Because you have unlimited incoming (and hopefully are calling from your local calling area), the incoming call is free. You just pay the Yak rate for the long distance which is way cheaper than what all/most cellphone companies charge on pay per use (without any monthly long distance plans). There are also no monthly fees for Yak. It is completely pay per use. You don't use it, you don't pay. You use it, you pay.

Posted by: lmcjipo

Quote:

Originally Posted by patiostone

PLEASE READ THE YAK WEBSITE IN IT'S ENTIRETY BEFORE YOU WRITE ANY MORE INACCURATE STATEMENTS

Based on some of his other posts, he has a habit of doing this (writing inaccurate statements or half truths).

Posted by: patiostone

If you have the Unlimited Canada and U.S. LD plan on your home phone, CALLING CARD calls from any phone in Canada or US (including your cell) are included. Of course there are roaming fees using your cell in the US.

The "Canada Block of Time Long Distance Plan" is simlar and cheaper, but only works in CANADA.

Posted by: ulric

well in all fairness, the callback service is so different from anything else, it's hard to understand it the first time you see it.
but that's right: you call them, but they don't answer, so it's a free call for you even if it's long distance.

Posted by: DrewNL

Calling cards from Bell (the ones attached to you home phone) still have the $1 per call charge on them.

Posted by: lmcjipo

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNL

Calling cards from Bell (the ones attached to you home phone) still have the $1 per call charge on them.

... the regular calling cards (prepaid calling cards) from Bell that aren't attached to your home phone, there there is a 3 minute charge to it up to a maximum of $1.00 if the per minute rate is less than $1.00.

http://www.bellprepaid.ca/en/rates/

I got a $15 card as a promotion and still haven't used it since I have unlimited long distance to North America on both Skype and MagicJack.

Posted by: tphill

Quote:

Originally Posted by kav2001c

416 only works if you are in Toronto
Dial that anywhere else you get charged for LD twice (Yaks rates + incoming LD rates as outside your LCA)

Try actually learning how it works before you post this stuff.

You're misleading everyone with your false information.