Whirlpool

Was setting up my modem and dialing rules for Naked and whilst testing certain numbers dialed some 13 numbers. As soon as the numbers started ringing i hung up. 2 calls of less than 2 seconds duration and i get charged 40c for each call and they didn't even answer. Contacted the helpdesk by email and got no response for a week. Rang the helpdesk and enquired about the email and got a response 'that is how the system operates as some numbers are charged as soon as the call goes through not when the call is answered"

Where did I put the number for the TIO.....

Yea lets go to the TIO for 40c. Nice work there chief.
Im almost 100% certain the only time you get charged is if the call is answered. Perhaps the numbers you were testing had an IVR that answered before you terminated the call? If you call the Adam Helpdesk, their IVR picks up almost straight away you barely hear a ring tone!
If you check your members area what does it show for these calls?

When you dial a 13 / 1300 number it is essentially an instantaneous call forward. There is no such thing as an actual 1300 number service, IE no telephone actually individually has that number. As soon as you ring a 13 / 1300 number it generally enters a "line hunt" whereupon the call is forwarded to the first available phone number in the list of numbers.
In that regard, the call is effectively answered by the receiving end even before it starts to ring and then it is passed on to another number whereupon it actually rings. The cost of a 1300 number is in this redirection process and thus, by the time it has been redirected and you hear it start ringing, the cost is already incurred.

It's different for local calls where there is no call forward in place (unless someone has call forwarding turned on of course).

Cujo1 writes...

Was setting up my modem and dialing rules for Naked and whilst testing certain numbers dialed some 13 numbers.

If you want to test your phoneline the best bet might be to call your own Mobile number, since you know you wont pick it up you have enough time to let it ring a few times before it goes to voicemail.

Cujo1 writes...

i get charged 40c for each call and they didn't even answer

Mr.T writes...

Im almost 100% certain the only time you get charged is if the call is answered.

Thanks Cujo1, I had assumed like Mr.T that I would only be charged if the call connected.

If it is otherwise Adam should make this clear in their pricing as I'm sure most people would not expect it to behave that way

There are often alternate "standard" numbers you can call instead of the 13 numbers. They both do exactly the same thing, except one is a maximum of 12 cents (or free) and the other is 40 cents. These alternate numbers are not usually published very well, simply because they are so hard to remember (I mean is 131166 or 0876495836 easier to remember when you want your pizza fix?).

My Cisco phone now has a nice little rewrite rule. 131888 to the local Dominos ;) Should probably change that to their new number at some stage, though

Danny writes...

They both do exactly the same thing, except one is a maximum of 12 cents (or free) and the other is 40 cents.

That depends on what sort of plan you are on. On Telstra Homeline Budget, local calls are 30 cents and "13" numbers are now the same (or very close), after being cheaper until recently. Do some plans actually charge 40 cents for "13" numbers?

emibel writes...

Do some plans actually charge 40 cents for "13" numbers?

Hmm, I don't think so. But in the context of Adam Voip you are better off looking for alternate landline numbers, rather than using the 13 versions.

Danny writes...

Hmm, I don't think so. But in the context of Adam Voip you are better off looking for alternate landline numbers, rather than using the 13 versions.

I forgot this thread was about VOIP. Is 40 cents the VOIP charge for a call to a "13" number? I've never looked into VOIP charges, but I thought they were generally cheaper than the POTS.

emibel writes...

Is 40 cents the VOIP charge for a call to a "13" number?

AdamTalk Call Rate Lookup
Calls to 131-241 are classed as Special Number (Special Services)
Call Costs
Cost: 40 cents untimed
Example Calls (HH:MM:SS)
0:00:03 $0.40
0:00:27 $0.40
0:01:00 $0.40
0:01:45 $0.40
0:10:09 $0.40
1:04:57 $0.40

Calls to 1300-794-390 are classed as Special Number (Special Services)
Call Costs
Cost: 40 cents untimed
Example Calls (HH:MM:SS)
0:00:03 $0.40
0:00:27 $0.40
0:01:00 $0.40
0:01:45 $0.40
0:10:09 $0.40
1:04:57 $0.40

OK, thanks. I guess the question has to be asked then. Why are "13" calls so expensive on VOIP compared to the POTS (and compared to local calls on VOIP)?

emibel writes...

Why are "13" calls so expensive on VOIP compared to the POTS

That should be on Adam VoIP. They are slightly cheaper on many other VoIP providers. eg. MNF 25c vs. Telstra PSTN 27.5c.

As to why they are more expensive than local/national calls, I don't know.

BikeMike writes...

As to why they are more expensive than local/national calls, I don't know.

Perhaps its part of Adam's business plan to ensure their Local/National PSTN phone calls are so damn cheap. $5/mo for 40 odd untimed calls to land lines around Australia per month is awesome! Given I rarely call a 13 number it seems suitable to me!

AFAIK they are more expensive than local calls everywhere, both VoIP and PSTN. Perhaps the odd VoIP provider charging less than 25c is making a loss on them?

BikeMike writes...

AFAIK they are more expensive than local calls everywhere, both VoIP and PSTN.

Actually they are cheaper than local calls on Telstra Homeline Budget, but only because locals are 30 cents there (27.5 for "13" numbers).

For example, to call a specific Dominos store, for example the one closest to me, you would call 84033166.

Calls to (08) 8403-3166 are classed as Local.
0:00:03 $0.12
0:00:27 $0.12
0:01:00 $0.12
0:01:45 $0.12
0:10:09 $0.12
1:04:57 $0.12

So to call a specific store with a standard phone number is just 12 cents, or "free" even as land line calls are included in the 5 dollar cap (I should probably say, rather, that the cap ONLY includes land line calls).

However if you were to be lazy and just call the general 1300 366 466 number and be ultimately connected to that same store anyway you would be slugged 40 cents, which is not included on your cap and is not in any way "free"" (unless someone else pays your bills).

Calls to 1300-366-466 are classed as Special Number (Special Services)
0:00:03 $0.40
0:00:27 $0.40
0:01:00 $0.40
0:01:45 $0.40
0:10:09 $0.40
1:04:57 $0.40

It may only seem like "just 40 cents", but just two of those calls a day alone will get you a $22.40 per month bill and $292 a year bill. However if you made those same calls to the alternate land line number, then all those calls would be free, which is a saving of $292 per year. Very handy if you call your bank often, or order fast food, or need to call government numbers a lot (and so on).

Danny writes...

So to call a specific store with a standard phone number is just 12 cents, or "free" even as land line calls are included in the 5 dollar cap (I should probably say, rather, that the cap ONLY includes land line calls).

Is this right? I thought that the $5 of call credit is for all call types. It looks like that to me in the voip acc. area.

40.

number.40 writes...

Is this right? I thought that the $5 of call credit is for all call types. It looks like that to me in the voip acc. area.

40.

http://www.adam.com.au/adamtalk/adamtalk_cost.php
Monthly Cost $5.00 (free with Naked DSL services)
Monthly Included Credit $5.00 (Local/National Calls)

Clearly states the $5 credit is for Local/National calls only!

BikeMike writes...

hat should be on Adam VoIP. They are slightly cheaper on many other VoIP providers. eg. MNF 25c vs. Telstra PSTN 27.5c.

Solution is easy. Use the dial plan in your ATA to route these calls through PSTN or an alternative VoIP supplier.

BTW
I consider support for multiple VSP's & 2 ATA essential requirements when setting up VoIP. It enables easy ongoing comparison of each VSP price / performance and correction of anomalies (as described here).