In the envelope with this months phone bill was an insert with the headline “Basic Long Distance rates are changing.” Wow. Nice and straightforward from Bell? Something doesn’t seem right so I continued to read…
Bell are, contrary to other providers, increasing their rates. (At least compared to our current bill, we will pay more for the same calls.And if they were lowering rates, it would be a good sales move to show their old rates compared to their new lower rates… which they don’t do.)
Rogers offer free long distance. Internet calls using Skype and other similar service are unlimited and nearly free. So why does Bell think that the best move is to increase their fees?
Furthermore, why do they have to make things so unbelievably confusing. Take a look at this chart and explain to me how much a peak rate call to a location that is 18 miles away should cost? As I read it, that call should cost either $0.10/minute or $0.12/minute??? What??? And why are they using miles???? And since when is 10 miles long distance? That means that a call from downtown Toronto to the airport is a long distance call?
With each passing day I have less and less interest in having Bell as our phone and internet provider.
Bell’s rates have always been this ‘confusing’ I have included a link to their current rates. Most rates are going down, but a few are increasing. They didn’t do themselves any favours by not showing the old rates.
http://www.bell.ca/shopping/PrsShpPns_Lng_Base.page?selecteddropdown=1
L.D. charges are applied if you are calling an exchange (2nd set of 3 digits) outside of your local calling area (LCA). The distance would be calculated between exchanges. Same applies if it is a different area code.
I was unable to find a map of Ontario’s LCAs but I will continue to look.
As far as miles vs. kilometers, 100 years ago when Bell had to start thinking about long distance, imperal was the defacto standard. Metric only became a worldwide standard in the 60′s. Why they haven’t re-calculated/changed is still a question mark.
I hope this has answered some of your questions/concerens. If you, or anyone else has any others I would be more than happy to answer them (adam.fulton@gmail.com).