Charges for conference call numbers

danceordie11 wrote:
I have just read through all my documents and searched the entire T-mobile site for information on this extra charge for conference calls and found nothing, other than this chat. I was really hoping to find a company that didn't have hidden charges. I thought I was going to be lowering my bill by switching from ATT but with all the conference call charges I will be right back where I started. For modern people that work from home and/or have conference calls as part of an independent study group this just doesn't make sense. I hope T-mobile comes into the 21st century soon or I will be switching again. Will be warning others who may be considering t-mobile as I don't know anyone who doesn't do conference calls other that my grandmother. 

It's been around for years.

Here's the one that has been updated when the forums got updated.  Números telefónicos que no entran en el plan

As been mentioned all carriers are starting to charge for these, or blocking them outright because of how they are structured.  They may appear free for you, but they are not free to the carrier.

To avoid the extra charges, I use an app that gives me a second phone number. There are several apps available - the one I use is called "2nd Line" and is free. It also lets me pick a phone number from any area code I want. I can make/receive calls and send/receive texts using the new number just like usual. The difference is that these calls and texts use my data plan rather than my cell minutes, and if I am connected to a wifi network it will use that. Since it does not use cell minutes, TMobile does not charge extra.

PS - these apps are typically "use it or lose it" and will take away your number if you don't use it every few weeks (you can always get a new number but that is bad if you have given out the old one to friends). I simply send a text from my main number to the app number every week or so to keep it active (I also don't give it out).

This is a 2+  year old thread.  Every carrier charges for these premium calls.   Or blocks them.  I assume the VOIP operators do as well.

 Many years ago, there used to be "premium phone numbers starting with a/c 900 or "local" 976 numbers.  They were/are very expensive. Sex lines, maybe some CS lines.  These premium lines you are talking about charge 1 cent/min.

tidbits wrote:

Ok here's what is going on and what they are trying to stop.  Traffic pumping​

 

AT&T actually started blocking people from connecting to these numbers and continue to add to the list.  There is a legal battle going on over it.

 

AT&T/Cingular blocks cellular customers from free conference call services | Ars Technica

 

Verizon has been rumored to start charging or cutting off depending on the outcome of the verdicts.

I had no problem with AT&T with Fre Conference Call voice meetings.  But am being charged by T-Mobile.  Trying to find a way around it. Anyone have any success with a work-around?

TheLaneFamily1113 wrote:

Yes, I'm aware of the thread age as I stated it in my post. Yes, I'm aware they charge, I said that too. I just switched from AT&T and they do not block conference lines, and this particular company uses a 515 area code. Can someone with updated information please reply with a response why this is happening on this carrier and how to fix it. 

Yea, I’m looking too!!

bflosue2337 wrote:

To avoid the extra charges, I use an app that gives me a second phone number. There are several apps available - the one I use is called "2nd Line" and is free. It also lets me pick a phone number from any area code I want. I can make/receive calls and send/receive texts using the new number just like usual. The difference is that these calls and texts use my data plan rather than my cell minutes, and if I am connected to a wifi network it will use that. Since it does not use cell minutes, TMobile does not charge extra.

 

PS - these apps are typically "use it or lose it" and will take away your number if you don't use it every few weeks (you can always get a new number but that is bad if you have given out the old one to friends). I simply send a text from my main number to the app number every week or so to keep it active (I also don't give it out).

Thanks so much!  Will try!

Cameron wrote:

bflosue2337 wrote:

To avoid the extra charges, I use an app that gives me a second phone number. There are several apps available - the one I use is called "2nd Line" and is free. It also lets me pick a phone number from any area code I want. I can make/receive calls and send/receive texts using the new number just like usual. The difference is that these calls and texts use my data plan rather than my cell minutes, and if I am connected to a wifi network it will use that. Since it does not use cell minutes, TMobile does not charge extra.

 

PS - these apps are typically "use it or lose it" and will take away your number if you don't use it every few weeks (you can always get a new number but that is bad if you have given out the old one to friends). I simply send a text from my main number to the app number every week or so to keep it active (I also don't give it out).

Thanks so much!  Will try!

Cameron wrote:

bflosue2337 wrote:

To avoid the extra charges, I use an app that gives me a second phone number. There are several apps available - the one I use is called "2nd Line" and is free. It also lets me pick a phone number from any area code I want. I can make/receive calls and send/receive texts using the new number just like usual. The difference is that these calls and texts use my data plan rather than my cell minutes, and if I am connected to a wifi network it will use that. Since it does not use cell minutes, TMobile does not charge extra.

 

PS - these apps are typically "use it or lose it" and will take away your number if you don't use it every few weeks (you can always get a new number but that is bad if you have given out the old one to friends). I simply send a text from my main number to the app number every week or so to keep it active (I also don't give it out).

Thanks so much!  Will try!

2nd line is not free- $8mo

Cameron wrote:

Cameron wrote:

bflosue2337 wrote:

To avoid the extra charges, I use an app that gives me a second phone number. There are several apps available - the one I use is called "2nd Line" and is free. It also lets me pick a phone number from any area code I want. I can make/receive calls and send/receive texts using the new number just like usual. The difference is that these calls and texts use my data plan rather than my cell minutes, and if I am connected to a wifi network it will use that. Since it does not use cell minutes, TMobile does not charge extra.

 

PS - these apps are typically "use it or lose it" and will take away your number if you don't use it every few weeks (you can always get a new number but that is bad if you have given out the old one to friends). I simply send a text from my main number to the app number every week or so to keep it active (I also don't give it out).

Thanks so much!  Will try!

Cameron wrote:

bflosue2337 wrote:

To avoid the extra charges, I use an app that gives me a second phone number. There are several apps available - the one I use is called "2nd Line" and is free. It also lets me pick a phone number from any area code I want. I can make/receive calls and send/receive texts using the new number just like usual. The difference is that these calls and texts use my data plan rather than my cell minutes, and if I am connected to a wifi network it will use that. Since it does not use cell minutes, TMobile does not charge extra.

 

PS - these apps are typically "use it or lose it" and will take away your number if you don't use it every few weeks (you can always get a new number but that is bad if you have given out the old one to friends). I simply send a text from my main number to the app number every week or so to keep it active (I also don't give it out).

Thanks so much!  Will try!

2nd line is not free- $8mo

Burner is $5 mo or $60 yr

Cameron wrote:

tidbits wrote:

 

Shoot!  I came from Sprint and they don't block either!  Come on, T-Mobile!  🤦🏼‍♀️