Why do I have to dial +1 in front of local numbers?

[susieliu97]

I just switched to public mobile and when I dial local numbers now I get the message at the beginning of the call saying it's completing my long distance call. The chatbot told me to try dialling +1 in front of the phone number, but why do I need to do this for local calls? I'm afraid I'm going to be charged a long distance fee.

[Nezgar]

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@susieliu97 wrote:

...when I dial local numbers now I get the message at the beginning of the call saying it's completing my long distance call..

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For whatever reason, Telus' network (which is also shared by Koodo & Public Mobile) thinks the number you are calling is not a local call from the cel tower your phone is currently using. Maybe you are in a borderline area with another local calling area, and your previous carrier (Bell,Rogers) had a tower in a slightly different location.

Regardless, as many others have already noted - it's safe to either wait out the annoucement , and then your call will go through, or prefix 1 to your phonebook entries without any worry of extra long distance charges to avoid the message entirely.

Cheers - N.

[AE_Collector]

Adding a 1 in front of any 10 digit number whether local or long distance will work and won't turn it into a billable long distance call. Most of the numbers in my directory have a 1 in front of them to ensure it goes through quickly.

AE_Collector

[ChuckYeah]

I put +1 in front of all my numbers, especially in my contacts. Set it and forget it, I always say. No overage so nothing to worry about, regardless of where you are in Canada or where you are calling.

[will13am]

Regardless of the canned messages, this is a prepaid service and so there can never be any additional charges above and beyond those services that have been purchased already.  I have a province wide calling plan.  Whenever it dips into the long distance minutes add-on, I get the message about long distance charges being applied. 

[bhplin]

As far as i know, it won't charge any extra whether dial +1 or not as long as you are in Canada.

[ShawnC13]

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@hairbag1 wrote:

All PM plans are Canada wide calling. You'll not be charged long distance rates for any calls within Canada.

If you run outta minutes your phone quits working until renewal.

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@hairbag1not all PM plans are Canada wide calling.  All currently offered plans are.

@susieliu97  when you signed up did you pick a new number?  If the call would be a long distance call from a landline you are required to use a 1 first to dial it without the message.  If this is a new number could if have an area code that is not local to the area you are in?

[Staliger]

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@susieliu97 wrote:

I just switched to public mobile and when I dial local numbers now I get the message at the beginning of the call saying it's completing my long distance call. The chatbot told me to try dialling +1 in front of the phone number, but why do I need to do this for local calls? I'm afraid I'm going to be charged a long distance fee.

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Don't worry. It is up to you whether or not to add +1 to any number. Calls will work anyway and won't cost extra fee.

[totalUser]

You don't have to dial 1 if the message doesn't bother you

They won't charge you anything, there is no surcharge with public mobile, if the call goes through it's included

Welcome to public

[hairbag1]

All PM plans are Canada wide calling. You'll not be charged long distance rates for any calls within Canada.

If you run outta minutes your phone quits working until renewal.

EDIT; all currently offered calling plans have Canada wide calling...as noted  by @ShawnC13