Friday, March 16, 2007
Calling collect
I had an interesting call last week from a customer response person who left me with her direct phone number in Montreal. Apologizing that her toll-free number was not yet connected, she told me to call collect - just in case I needed to get in touch.
Call collect? When long distance rates are this low, if not free, think about it: when was the last time you needed to call collect?
Fast forward to this week when I was speaking with a colleague about a project she is working on to implement a toll-free network, replacing a regime of collect calling. What do people do when they are in need of help - at a payphone; on a cell phone; in a hotel; away from home. In other words, vulnerable with less than optimal control over their costs.
On the flip side, think of some of the complications with collect calling these days. Numerous local carriers - VoIP, mobile, resellers, MVNOs, Skype-in. Many new service providers don't even have billing systems that could handle collection agreements. Some new phone companies don't have operators to allow you to place a collect call.
How does a distant phone company get confirmation that when you accept charges, your phone company will actually be able to bill for the call and collect on their behalf? Number portability, that allows migration of landline and wireless numbers, adds more complexity.
For most people, domestic long distance is so cheap that you might be embarrased to call collect. Alternatively, there is always toll-free, although these numbers usually only work within a country code. In an age of global commerce, what does a service provider do to provide easy global access? [My daughter was overcharged by an overseas cable TV provider while she was away at school last year. The cableco's only published number is a domestic toll-free line. I can't call them, even though I would be happy to pay for the call.]
Are we seeing the end of collect calling? Maybe it will evolve to a more uniform system of payment by commercial credit or debit cards. Thoughts?
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calling collect
Call collect? When long distance rates are this low, if not free, think about it: when was the last time you needed to call collect?
Fast forward to this week when I was speaking with a colleague about a project she is working on to implement a toll-free network, replacing a regime of collect calling. What do people do when they are in need of help - at a payphone; on a cell phone; in a hotel; away from home. In other words, vulnerable with less than optimal control over their costs.
On the flip side, think of some of the complications with collect calling these days. Numerous local carriers - VoIP, mobile, resellers, MVNOs, Skype-in. Many new service providers don't even have billing systems that could handle collection agreements. Some new phone companies don't have operators to allow you to place a collect call.
How does a distant phone company get confirmation that when you accept charges, your phone company will actually be able to bill for the call and collect on their behalf? Number portability, that allows migration of landline and wireless numbers, adds more complexity.
For most people, domestic long distance is so cheap that you might be embarrased to call collect. Alternatively, there is always toll-free, although these numbers usually only work within a country code. In an age of global commerce, what does a service provider do to provide easy global access? [My daughter was overcharged by an overseas cable TV provider while she was away at school last year. The cableco's only published number is a domestic toll-free line. I can't call them, even though I would be happy to pay for the call.]
Are we seeing the end of collect calling? Maybe it will evolve to a more uniform system of payment by commercial credit or debit cards. Thoughts?
Technorati Tags:
calling collect
Posted by Mark Goldberg @ 3/16/2007 06:24:00 AM 
Comments:
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Billed Number Screening is a service offered by Rogers, Bell and MTS Allstream that when invoked, will allow any telephone number to receive collect and billed to third party calls.
During the recent WNP implementation, the carriers ensured that the service will continue to work on ported numbers, but you have to speak to your New Service Provider about enabling the service. The wireless carriers will not enable it on pre-paid telephone numbers.
Hope this helps.
During the recent WNP implementation, the carriers ensured that the service will continue to work on ported numbers, but you have to speak to your New Service Provider about enabling the service. The wireless carriers will not enable it on pre-paid telephone numbers.
Hope this helps.
Posted by 
: 8:25 AM, March 16, 2007
: 8:25 AM, March 16, 2007
I should have said, BNS is a service that Bell, MTS Allstream and Rogers offer to other facilities-based carriers involved in call processing.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Posted by : 8:26 AM, March 16, 2007
: 8:26 AM, March 16, 2007
Recently I made a collect call to Canada from Geneva thinking it would be at least on par with a direct dialled call from my mobile handset (given roaming charges, etc.)
The bill from TELUS came in at $50 for about a one hour call. This was using Canada Direct too.
I'm still not sure if it would have been cheaper to call through the hotel or my mobile, but this is part of a bigger problem: identifying the best tariff options when travelling out of country.
The bill from TELUS came in at $50 for about a one hour call. This was using Canada Direct too.
I'm still not sure if it would have been cheaper to call through the hotel or my mobile, but this is part of a bigger problem: identifying the best tariff options when travelling out of country.
Posted by : 10:05 AM, March 17, 2007
: 10:05 AM, March 17, 2007
My phone in Toronto, Canada received a collect call from Queens, New York Pay Phone. Got a surprise of my life, I was billed for $4.15 per minute while the cost of long distance to and from US range from .01 to .05 cents per minute. What a rip off! Grr#$*
Calling collect does not even involve operators but automated equipment to record your consent.
Travellers beware!
Calling collect does not even involve operators but automated equipment to record your consent.
Travellers beware!
Posted by : 2:04 AM, December 27, 2007
: 2:04 AM, December 27, 2007
I think the best option in almost any situation would be a calling card. They can be picked up for cheap and the right ones can be used anywhere. I buy one any time I go anywhere and use it instead of my mobile long distance. I even use them from home!
Mike
Mike
Posted by : 4:55 PM, March 07, 2008
: 4:55 PM, March 07, 2008
Im a MTS customer and I always get collect calls from a friend who is 30 minutes away from where I live and MTS considers that part of the province "LOCAL CALLING" IF you have mts that is. The person that is calling me is using a BELL payphone. How much do you think Im getting billed? I seriously have absolutly no idea. MTS told me since they consider to be local collect calling its 3.95 for the whole call.
Posted by 
guccigirl204 : 6:46 PM, November 01, 2008
guccigirl204 : 6:46 PM, November 01, 2008
bns telecom are a dreadful business, any other feebdack appreciated?
Posted by : 11:54 AM, December 16, 2008
: 11:54 AM, December 16, 2008
Problem of calling collect is the cost and the fact that you can't call a cellphone collect. Text Collect is an easy way to make collect calls to cellphones billable as premium text message SMS. Rates are reasonable since there is a cap on how much you can charges by premium SMS.
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