Ignored call charged?

[bwana]

AFAIK this is not correct - at least not for an isdn landline

My system records outgoing calls as missed when one gets an engaged tone or disconnect while it is still ringing. The moment you hear any kind of announcement (i.e. voicemail, invalid number, not available, etc.) it records an outgoing call. I do not get charged for missed calls.

Also if one is on the closer option the call charge if you disconnect immediately on hearing the announcement is negligible as you are only charged for a 1 second call.

Well it has been confirmed by telkom

Wow. I got a reply from Telkom today - apparently the charges are correct. Their explanation is that even though the calls weren't answered, they crossed to another network and thus will be charged for.

Also - I'm not going to go on a closer package so they can charge me less for a call they shouldn't be charging me for in the first place.

 

[CathJ]

AFAIK this is not correct - at least not for an isdn landline

My system records outgoing calls as missed when one gets an engaged tone or disconnect while it is still ringing. The moment you hear any kind of announcement (i.e. voicemail, invalid number, not available, etc.) it records an outgoing call. I do not get charged for missed calls.

Also if one is on the closer option the call charge if you disconnect immediately on hearing the announcement is negligible as you are only charged for a 1 second call.

Maybe it's different on ISDN? Also, the minimum call charge depends on which Closer package you're on, and whether you're phoning another telkom line or crossing networks.

Actually, why you're not seeing charges for missed calls might be because they're all within the Telkom network - the charges apply for cross-network calls.

From the horse's mouth:

"Although your calls were not answered or went onto a voicemail, the attempted call was made from one network to another, and irrespective of whether the recipient hung up without answering, the connection between the two different networks are linked via sattelite and equipment was activated via ringtone in this process."

 

[mikef]

Maybe it's different on ISDN? Also, the minimum call charge depends on which Closer package you're on, and whether you're phoning another telkom line or crossing networks.

Yes - AFAIK the per second charge without any fixed minimum applies to closer 3 and up

Actually, why you're not seeing charges for missed calls might be because they're all within the Telkom network - the charges apply for cross-network calls.

I was specifically referring to calls made to the mobile networks.

From the horse's mouth:

"Although your calls were not answered or went onto a voicemail, the attempted call was made from one network to another, and irrespective of whether the recipient hung up without answering, the connection between the two different networks are linked via sattelite and equipment was activated via ringtone in this process."

If the recipient "hung up without answering" it implies the connection was actually established. However telkom should only be charging for a service actually provided and I believe they should not be charging for calls under a certain timeframe.

 

[mikef]

Well it has been confirmed by telkom

telkom has naturally never confirmed something that is not true?

Also - I'm not going to go on a closer package so they can charge me less for a call they shouldn't be charging me for in the first place.

The loser is the person that pays more to telkom for a service provided than they have to.
Although in many instances the closer packages are a rip-off.

 

[CathJ]

If the recipient "hung up without answering" it implies the connection was actually established. However telkom should only be charging for a service actually provided and I believe they should not be charging for calls under a certain timeframe.

It was actually the later part of the quote that's important:

"Although your calls were not answered or went onto a voicemail, the attempted call was made from one network to another, and irrespective of whether the recipient hung up without answering, the connection between the two different networks are linked via sattelite and equipment was activated via ringtone in this process."

So to me what they're saying is if your call crosses the network and rings, you will be charged. Maybe if the network is busy and can't connect the call you aren't charged; and maybe if it's engaged you're not; but if it rings and either the caller or the callee hangs up, you are charged.

Actually, the overall problem could be one of definition. We consider a call to be connected when someone answers (be it a person, or voicemail, or a telephone exchange). Telkom is considering it to be connected once the other network picks it up or the phone rings. In other words, they're looking at it at the data layer, and we're looking at it at the application layer.