Um you guys can dial someone on a mobile and not use the area code? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo.../confused1.gif

Also why would incoming numbers be listed on a telephone bill?

In the US they often pay to receive calls.

WTF? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/wacko1.gif

WTF? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/wacko1.gif Landline, no, we don't pay for incoming calls.

Cellphone, yes. Incoming calls still count torwards the mobile plan's minutes, and will show up on a bill.

Bungle, just because we have a custom in this country doesn't mean it will be the same worldwide, so why the WTF?

Again Bungle, the whole world doesn't operate the way it does here. Sure, most countries use non-geographical numbers for mobile/cellphones so you always need the area code but a few countries (the USA being one) use the same area codes for landlines and mobile/cellphones.

http://www.howtocallabroad.com/qa/cell.html

Glad that doesn't happen here - at least pre-paid 'phones will receive calls even when they have no credit left and AFAIK, 'normal' cell phones aren't charged either for the minutes.

Because an individual's spending should be entirely under their control, not under that of some random. Why should someone else have control over when another person's money is spent, especially when the recipient has no control over it? Doesn't that mean if someone calls you selling something you get charged? **** that. [thumbdown]

How can a mobile have an area code when it's not locked to a single location?

Oh, and I don't know why you get uptight whenever I express surprise at the strange goings on in foreign countries.

Doesn't always work for debt collectors though, once they have your number in their system for someone, they always just assume that you're lying or covering for whomever they're looking for. Speaking to a supervisor may actually work though.

I don't know how debt collection works in the UK, but over here you can tell them that you are issuing a formal request that they cease all communication with you, except by mail. Basically, if you tell them they are not permitted to call you, they must stop. If it's a particularly shady company though, even that may not work and you must send a formal written letter by certified post. Fortunately over here we have laws to protect consumers from that type of harassment.

Well, most cell plans I'm aware of don't charge you for incoming calls that are under one minute, so if you tell someone no or they have the wrong number and hang up, nothing happens. It used to be that any incoming call would count as a minute even if you hung up in a couple seconds. Annoyingly, incoming texts still count towards your text total for your plan, unless it comes directly from your service provider.

Also, over here, cell phones have area codes assigned to them just like land-line phones, and it's based on what are you first setup the phone in, usually based on where the service provider's office is located at where you signed up. Even if you move across the country you keep your same number and area code.

Of course you have control. You either answer or you don't; or you don't buy the mobile in the first place.

I see. I don't know if you get it over there, but here it seems to be quite common for telemarketers to ring up then go through a whole spiel before they get round to admitting that they are actually selling something. In fact I've known them to actually lie about it when asked straight out "Are you selling something" at the beginning.


Also, over here, cell phones have area codes assigned to them just like land-line phones, and it's based on what are you first setup the phone in, usually based on where the service provider's office is located at where you signed up. Even if you move across the country you keep your same number and area code. Do you get charged a different rate if you call long distance (or what the system thinks is "long distance"? I mean if you get a mobile, then move far away, and then you call your neighbour do you get charged more for a "long distance" call even though you're only calling next door?

Unless you know who it is and what they want how can you make that decision? A mobile is pretty much essential these days. People expect you to have one.

Haha. Oh wow, you have no idea how the phone system works!

Never had a telemarketer call my cell phone.

As for your second part, no. Everyone in the United States costs the same amount of minutes, there is no long distance within the country. Also, calling someone on the same provider doesn't cost anything.

Double post.

Every country has different customs / business practises. I'd rather pay for incoming phonecalls and get cheap petrol. Anyway, it is in their control; they choose whether or not to take out a contract.


I'm not a telephone engineer, but luckily I do know how to google: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_A...mbering_scheme

Because they are only strange to you. They are perfectly normal to people in these foreign countries.

What I meant was a land line has an area code because it is locked to single location; a mobile is not, it could be anywhere. Therefore you get charged more when calling someone far away on a land line. But as this is not the case in the US the point is moot anyway.



What's cheap petrol got to do with phone calls?

Anyway, it is in their control; they choose whether or not to take out a contract. As it seems to be standard practice it is not really under their control as a mobile is pretty much a must have these days.

Because they are only strange to you. They are perfectly normal to people in these foreign countries. Why does that mean I shouldn't express surprise at it?

Bungle, receiving calls in the middle of nowhere is a privilege, and something that can be charged for. Also, every time you made a call from your mobile you could ask them to call back to save minutes as well.

It's just one of those things you might have to pay for. Like you pay to post things, you might also pay to have things delivered to you.

Shock horror: Capitalist economy is out to screw you of your money.

DM's point was that Americans get (much) cheaper fuel but get ripped off on phone calls. I'm sure the money saved on fuel many times over pays for the costs of receiving calls; which, as said, is not always the case. Over here, the cost of receiving calls are subsidised by the cost of making them; over there it isn't.

I swear you are highly autistic Bungle.

Just to clarify. It may cost us on incoming calls, but it is also illegal for any company to call a cell phone for the purposes of trying to sell something.

In the US, if you even get a single telemarketer call on your cell phone, you can report them.

This is also the same for Text messages as well.