Can’t call area code specific toll-free numbers

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 02, 2006 Posts: 14

Hi,
I am in Maryland, and tried to call a Maryland only toll-free number. Instead of getting through I get a message saying that my call can't be completed and call customer care for more information.
So, I call the Vonage number off of their web site, to find out why I can't get through to the toll-free number. I got a hold of a rep at Vonage with no problem (called at about 8:40am EDT). The first rep was of no use and tried to talk me into a second line. She then transferred me to another rep in the tech support, and he asked for the same account verification information as the first rep. To make a long story short, the second rep told me that even though I have a Maryland number, all calls come from NY. So, the Maryland only toll-free number I was trying to call thinks I am located in NY.

Has anyone else had the same problem of trying to dial area code specific numbers and not getting through?

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:40 am Post subject:

Yes.

Here in Maine, some companies (especially ISP's) use statewide "500" numbers, which is a Maine-only equivalent to an "800" number. Unfortunately, since all Vonage toll-free numbers appear to originate in New Jersey, I cannot complete those calls either.

Similarly, if you call the national number for the poison control hotline, you will get the hotline in New Jersey, not the one for your specific state.

Vonage could have those calls routed through your local switch, but I don't know how complex that would be, or even if it is possible with their infrastructure.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:04 am Post subject:

I've encountered this with Vonage as well and aren't quite sure why. The CallerID info is correct, but the ANI info isn't always right. I have Voip lines with Level3 Communications and these properly terminate as the market they're in, whereas all of Vonage's seem to be from NJ. Not sure what the difference between Level3 & Vonage are in terms of how they have their systems set up, but it does prove that it CAN be done, just not with Vonage for now.

You might want to look around for a non-800# for what you're trying to call. Usually every 800# also has a regular # to go with it.