Incoming Calls...

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 9

I just got my Vonage hooked up and everything seems to be going great. I just got one question...why do the people who call you have to dial a 1?? People who used to call you for free now call and it is long distance? Thanks

Posts: 168 · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:17 am Post subject:

Did you keep your same number? If not it is possible you got a prefix that may be considered "toll" or long distance.

In my neck of the woods there is a stretch of prefixes that actually need the 1+area code dialed...even though the area code is the same. And it is indeed a toll call. Other numbers you just dial the 7 digits.

Also you didn't mention, did you always have to use the area code whenever you dialed locally before?

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 9

I am in Houston where we have 3 different area codes. So i always dialed 10 digits to call someone. I am having my number ported over so nothing should change. But when I log into my Vonage acct it shows my number with a "1" in front of it. And when someone calls me (on my virtual number for the time being) they need to dial a "1" and my caller ID show there number with a "1" in front of it too. So now the people across the street will need to dial and "1" to call me and its going to cost them money?? Thanks

Posts: 168 · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:30 am Post subject:

I'm not an expert being new myself but this sounds like the phone company is making your neighbors dial the 1 to access another carrier, like a long distance carrier.

Still if the prefix is the same it shouldn't cost your neighbors anything. But I can't say for certain. Maybe Vonage CSR can help. Or call your old phone company and ask them.

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 9

When you log into your Vonage acct online, does your phone number have a "1" in front of it?

Posts: 168 · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:34 am Post subject:

Yes it does, but people in my area do not have to dial it. Just the 7 digit number

Posts: 508 · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:18 pm Post subject:

your temporary virtual number must be from a different exchange, so for now, it will be lng distance for ppl to call you, once your port is done, you'll be back to normal again.. call Vonage ad see if they have a number that would be local to use as your virtual number..

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 9

Good idea...thanks