Long Distance
Why should I use my NorthernTel Calling Card to make long distance calls when I am away from home or in another country?
When you use your NorthernTel Calling Card, your long distance and call set-up charges are billed directly to your telephone bill. You also enjoy the reduced rates you get under your NorthernTel long distance plan.
Can I get information on a long distance call I made yesterday?
This information is not available. NorthernTel’s systems compile and calculate the rates for long distance calls once a month when your bill is issued.
How are eligible discounts under a NorthernTel long distance plan calculated?
The calculation method differs depending on the plan to which you are subscribed. Contact a Customer Service agent for more details at 1-800-360-8555.
Are there certain days of the year on which NorthernTel offers discounts?
Yes. On December 25 and January 1, residential customers get 15% discount on all long distance calls terminating in Québec, other Canadian provinces, and the Unites States.
Can the discounts I enjoy under my long distance plan be applied to fees I am charged for directory assistance or pay-per-use services such as *66 and *69?
No. These fees are not eligible for the discounts offered by NorthernTel’s long distance plans. For example, if you use the *66 feature (busy number redial), you will be billed the full $1.95 fee for using this feature.
What are the Network Access Fees applicable to long distance plans?
Network Access Fees collected are used to recoup a portion of the additional costs borne by telecommunications companies, notably to give all Canadians access to basic telecommunications services at an affordable price.
This means that NorthernTel residential customers who have signed up for a long-distance plan may be charged a Network Access Fee of $8.95 per month. The fee will be added to the base rate and listed under “Services” on your bill. Consult the long-distance plans section to know the plans covered by this fee.
Please note that a pay-per-use network access charge of $2.95 will apply to customers who are not subscribed to a NorthernTel long-distance plan, on the first long-distance call made in a given month. If no long-distance call is made during the month, no charge will apply.
NorthernTel cares about the growing and specific needs of its various customers. Rest assured, our services remain competitively priced within the market. Should you have any concerns, we invite you to contact our Customer Service team to find out about the various competitive long-distance rates and plans that we offer. Our representatives will be pleased to help you select the options best suited to your calling needs.
For more details about this Network Access Fee, consult the “Question and Answers” section or call 1-800-360-8555 (Opens in the default phone client).
What are NorthernTel’s off-peak discount periods?
Residential customers get 15% discount on their long distance calls Monday to Friday between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. and all weekend. These discounts apply to long distance calls terminating in Québec, other Canadian provinces, and the United States.
Is there a charge for subscribing to a NorthernTel long distance plan?
There is no account-processing fee when you subscribe to a NorthernTel long distance plan. However, some plans have a monthly fee. Consult the “Long Distance Plans” section for all the details on our long distance plans.
I am subscribed to a NorthernTel long distance plan. Can I change my plan?
Yes. You can change your plan at any time, without having to pay any account-processing fees. However, some plans have a monthly fee.
Can I unsubscribe from my NorthernTel long distance plan?
Yes. To unsubscribe, simply call a Customer Service agent at 1-800-360-8555. If you still plan to make long distance calls, you would certainly benefit from checking which long distance plan might be most appropriate for you.
Does my NorthernTel long distance plan entitle me to a discount when I call 1-900 numbers?
No. 1-900 calls are not eligible for the savings under your NorthernTel long distance plan.
I am subscribed to the Anytime Plus plan. Can I find out how many of my 1200 minutes have been used up so far?
No matter which long distance plan you have, it is impossible to find out how many minutes have been used up, because our systems only read your long distance minutes once a month, when your bill is issued.
I am subscribed to the Anytime Plus plan. If I don’t make any long distance calls for one month, will I still have to pay the $33.95 fee?
Yes. Anytime Plus plan provides for minimum automatic billing of $33.95 for consumption of 1200 minutes per month. This minimum automatic billing also applies to the Anytime and 2.5¢ plans which include 100 and 600 minutes.
Type of long distance calls and utilization
What is a third-number-billed long distance call?
This is a call billed to a telephone number other than the one from which the call is placed and other than the called number.
How do I place a third-number-billed long distance call?
Dial 0, the area code and the telephone number you are calling. Remain on the line; an operator will answer. Provide a number to which you wish the call billed. The operator will call the third number to get approval for billing to this third number. If the person at this third number does not answer, the call will be refused. A call set-up charge of $4.00 will apply. The call will begin to be charged when the person accepts the charges.
If you call an operator to place third-number-billed long distance call, a $5.75 set-up charge will apply, in addition of the fees of the call itself.
What is a collect long distance call?
This is a call where the person being called is charged for the call. He or she must accept the charges.
How do I place a collect long distance call?
Dial 0, the area code and telephone number you are calling. Choose the collect call option. Say your name when prompted by the system. A call set-up charge of $4.00 will apply. You will begin to be charged for the call itself when the person accepts the charges.
If you call an operator to place a collect long distance call, a $5.75 set-up charge will apply, in addition of the fees of the call itself.
What is the difference between “0”, “411” and “555-1212”?
Dial 0 to obtain an operator’s assistance to dial a call for you. The operator can also give you information on long distance services.
Dial 411 to obtain a telephone number which the area code is the same as yours.
Dial 1 + (area code) + 555-1212 to obtain a telephone number which the area code is different from yours.
Are there long distance charges when I dial 0, 411 or 555-1212?
Your telephone bill will be charged $2.00 each time you call directory assistance whether to find a number in your area, Canada or the United States. This charge will be applied for every number requested, whether or not it is listed in the telephone directory.
There is also a charge for all international directory assistance requests. However, you will not be charged if the foreign directory assistance service cannot be reached. Customers may request up to two listings at a time, but both must be requested from the operator of the same foreign country.
You can avoid directory assistance charges by consulting your area’s telephone directory or the Canada411 Web site at www.canada411.sympatico.ca (Opens in New Window).
Many pay phones allow you to reach the operator, directory assistance, or NorthernTel’s Repair Service without having to put change in the phone. Above the pay phone’s keypad is a card that clearly indicates how to use the phone.
Does NorthernTel offer discounts on long distance calls for the handicapped?
Yes. Depending on the type of handicap and upon submission of a medical certificate attesting to the handicap, long distance discounts and directory assistance exemptions may be granted.
How can I reach an operator?
- To reach an operator: dial 0
- For numbers in Canada: dial 411
- For a number in the United States: dial 1 + area code + 555+1212
- To reach International Directory Assistance: dial 0
Directory Assistance charges
A charge of $2.00 applies for all Directory Assistance requests, for local numbers, as well as for numbers elsewhere in Canada and in the United States. You are charged for each number you request, whether or not it is listed in the telephone directory. A charge applies for all International Directory Assistance requests. No charge applies if the Foreign Directory Service cannot be reached. Customers may request up to two listings per call if supplied by the same Foreign Operator at the same time.
You can avoid Directory Assistance charges by consulting your telephone directory or the Canada411 Website (www.canada411.ca (Opens in New Window)).
From a pay phone
Many pay phones allow you to reach the operator, Directory Assistance and Repair without depositing any money. Read the information card above the keypad, for clear instructions on how to operate the coin telephone.
Who can help me if I have problems placing a long distance call?
Call an operator by dialing 0.
What is an overseas call?
A call placed to a destination outside of Canada and the United States.
How do I place an overseas long distance call?
Dial 0+1+1, the country code (2 or 3 digits), the access code (1 to 5 digits), and the number you are calling (2 to 9 digits). You will be connected immediately with the overseas number.
By dialing 0+1, the country code (2 or 3 digits), the access code (1 to 5 digits), and the number you are calling (2 to 9 digits), you can charge your call to your Calling Card or call collect. Or, you can remain on the line and an operator will answer. You can then ask to have your call billed to a third number or to place a person-to-person call.
Consult the International Outbound tariffs (PDF file) for details about international calls charges.
What is a person-to-person long distance call?
No matter how this call is billed, this is a call placed with operator assistance and for which you request to speak to a specific person.
How do I place a person-to-person long distance call?
Dial 0, the area code and telephone number you are calling. Remain on the line; an operator will answer. Say that you wish to place a person-to-person call and provide the person’s name. A call set-up charge of $6.75 will apply. You will start being charged for the call itself when the person requested comes on the line.
What is a station-to-station long distance call?
No matter how it is billed, this is a long distance call dialed directly on your phone keypad, without operator assistance.
How do I place a station-to-station long distance call?
From home, dial 1 followed by the area code and the telephone number you are calling.
If you are away from home, use your Calling Card to enjoy the savings provided under your long distance plan. To place a station-to-station long distance call with your Calling Card, dial 0, the telephone number you are calling (area code and number), and then enter your Calling Card number, including your PIN. You will start being charged when the receiver is picked up at the called number.
What are those numbers that begin with 1-800, 855, 866, 877 and 888?
They are toll-free numbers. The long distance calling charges are not paid by the caller but by the businesses or persons offering this free service for reaching them.