PSTN Inbound Number Rates

I'm a little confused about the rates for inbound PSTN numbers, and hope someone could explain it to me a little better. Are the rates listed in addition to the standard rates charged by one's telco operator to dial the number? I created an 07031 number, and had my friend in the UK call from her mobile, connecting to me in the US. She was charged something like 70p/min for this! Even though mobile-to-mobile is supposed to be like 15p/min on her plan. So I thought perhaps it was simply forwarding the call to my (international) number, as opposed to routing it through the SIP network? Just looking for some clarification here. Would she be charged local rates if it just went to my SIP account instead of an actual PSTN number? Thanks for filling me in!

Welcome to VoIP User Hackel.

All rates we show are based on BT standard tarrifs, but other operators may have different tarrifs.

I realise that, the question is, -should- these calls be charged as if they were a local call to the appropriate prefix, or are they charged as an international call (to the US in my case) when forwarded to my own local number?

I think the problem is that 07031 numbers are not strictly 'mobile numbers' but are considered to be 'personal numbering' and as such attract different tariffs from the mobile phone companies. Telcos put a lot of effort into figuring out which numbers should be connected cheaply (and inside the bounds of a particular set of tariff rules), and which ones they will make good money out of. So if you call from 07884 to 07970, you'll get one tariff, and from 07884 to 07031, you'll get another. The numbers look similar on paper, but the billing system knows the difference.

I just did a few minutes research and Orange seem to consider 07031 numbers to be in the 50p/min zone, whatever time of day. From memory I think this is similar to the BT rate. Any particular cellco will charge their own rate for this (which well could be 70p/min) but I think it's unlikely that anyone will give you 15p/min for this number.

Incidentally, the mobile phone companies (O2, Vodafone, etc, you don't say which your friend called from) do not know that it's an international call. They only know that the number has 07031 at the front and charge according to their own rules. Note that Voipuser does not make more money if cellcos charge your friend more.

No, wherever you have the number forwarded to is our problem. Caller always pays the same rate.

Thanks, that clarifies everything for me.

Next question, does anyone know (from experience--not that I can't look on the websites myself) which prefix would be the cheapest to call from an Orange 0788 or T-Mobile PAYG 0796 number? I've also got an 0870 number, which uses this odd "Uni Kit Card" to make calls. (They claim UK National is 4p/min). As an American all these different rates for different prefixes are still rather confusing for me.

Thanks!

Quote:

all these different rates for different prefixes are still rather confusing for me

It gets more so as well. With mobiles it depends on your tarrif as to what you pay to call a number. the number prefix you are calling from has little effect.

Im sorry to say its a case of do your own homework on this one. you know your tariffs and you know what you want to call. My tariff on orange wil be different to yours even though I may have a number with only the last digit different

Ian

hackel,

in most cases to be included in bundled minute or free calling plans you need to have a geographic phone number. that is one that is related to a particular geographic part of the country(old fashion landline number) such as a 020 london phone number. you may also be able to use included cell phone minutes to call cell phones; but in most cases it would have to be an actual cell phone number connected to a phone SIM card - not a VOIP number. alternate premuim numbering systems are common through out europe and can be confusing to americans and others who only know of geographic numbering. although sometimes these types of numbers can be charged similar to landline or cell numbers from overseas they nearly always cost a premuim within the countries they are issued.

spg

Thanks for the info.