tb <nos...@example.invalid> wrote:
> Yes, I can see how there would be no long distance provider if the
> calls are made between VoIP devices. But what about if a VoIP device
> calls a landline in another county or state? There must be somebody (a
> long distance provider, for instance) who provides public switched
> telephone network translation. That must be incurring some charges
> from a phone operator. Right?
No.
If there is a fee to access a local phone company, it's built into the fee
you are paying your service provider.
Most phone companies have peering agreeements, they exchange local
connections with each other. Someone on Verizon phone service has to have
access to AT&T customers so they agree to handle each others traffic. The
AT&T customers need access to Verizon, so it's a win-win for both companies.
It's the same thing with VOIP service from cable companies, those customers
need to have access to AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and whoever else is left so
there is some agreement in place to exchange traffic between them.
Really, it's just the service fee Spectrum is charging you plus taxes (if
any) and feel free to smoke the lines 24x7. The only exception would be if
it's out of the country going to one of them that aren't included in the 39
countries they do connect to. Yes, you can call London England and yak away
for no more than the monthly service fee.
Trans Atlantic, long distance, local long distance, doesn't matter anymore.
-bruce
b...@ripco.com