After EXACTLY 4 hrs, outbound calls disconnect automatically

Posts: 51 · Full Forum Member Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 51

My Vonage long distance, out of state calls disconnect automatically after exactly 4 hrs (240 minutes on the button) on the dot. I am the originator of the call not the receiver. The handset is not dead. Any number of calls is possible immediately, typically to the same number.

Any ideas?

Posts: 435 · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

Vonage server is set to disconnect after 240 mins.

This is in case a call does not drop it will not cost the customer whom is not unlimited; and keeps the call from using unnecessary server time after the call has actually ended.

No, they will not change, I was told.

Posts: 656 · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

This is correct. Both the SIP proxy and PSTN Gateway run scripts that will terminate calls at 240 minutes as stated in the previous post. This is to prevent endless calls which use up Vonage resources and could cause customer to accrue charges. The reasons behind why calls wont end is because in the event power or internet is lost at the customer premise equipment, a SIP BYE message will not be sent to tear down call and it will continue to bill. This also happens when On Hook signaling is detected as a flash hook which places a call on hold instead of hanging up. For the most part it will only happen when someone calls into an automated system such as a bank, credit card company, or conference bridge that does not have an expire timer. Since there is no human to physically hang up from the far end to send a BYE and the Vonage side dropped off prior to sending a BYE, the call remain remain up and go against the Vonage customer's minutes.

As previous post stated, this is by design and how it has been since Vonage inception in 2001. This will not be changed for any reason.

Posts: 51 · Full Forum Member Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 51

I did not know that, thank you.

Posts: 1326 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1326

It also stops the abuse of the "unlimited package". 4 hours on the phone at once? I never spend 4 hours on the phone in one day. I travel a lot and am away from home, just sounds like a long time on the phone.

Posts: 435 · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

Well, I was not going to mention it, but... Keeps one from using the system has a continuous house (baby monitor). However you said it better.

Posts: 1326 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1326

I remember about 10 years ago there was a long distance carrier here in Canada that gave us unlimited long distance on the weekend. Well that never last too long because people abused it, some people wouldn't hang up because there was difficulty getting a line sometimes.

Posts: 229 · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

Wow, I was just wondering what was up with this. I had to do some training from home that required 5 hour long conference calls, and I was getting disconnected at exactly 4 hours. Not a hindrance really but I was wondering if it was the conferencing system or my phone. Now I know Smile

Posts: 656 · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

You wouldn't believe how many 4 hour phone calls there are and how much credit has to be given back. Most of which is for overage minutes on 500 minute plans and was caused by calls to conference bridges where the Vonage user's device did not properly signal to tear down the call. There are also those 4 hour Intl calls which ring up a hefty charge. All the while using up bandwidth and system resources for a call that should have been ended. If there wasn't a 4 hour limit, imagine what would happen.

Posts: 51 · Full Forum Member Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 51

Well I can assure you all of these are actual legitimate 4+ hour calls.