Telephones in Canada

Telephones in Canada work are similar to the ones in the USA and Europe. In Canada, mobile/wireless telephones are called cell phones, and public telephones are called pay phones. They are usually operated by coin, credit card or smart card.

In most provinces, the seven-digit system is used for dialing the local call. However, 10 digits are used in the Greater Vancouver area, and a three digit code in parts of Ontario and Quebec, followed by the seven digit phone number. Depending on where you are, a local call can use either of the two formats 456-7890, or 123-456-7890. The first three numbers, in the 10-digit phone number, indicate the area code. They define a geographical region where all phone numbers share the same area code. Metropolitan areas using two or more area codes exist for the same geographical area, are an exception. Seven-digit phone numbers beginning with 310 are generally for businesses or government services. 310- The numbers are toll-free.

The monthly fee for the phone line includes the cost of local phone calls from traditional land-line phones. There are no additional charges per minute. The "local free calling area" includes the city and the surrounding communities, from where you are calling. Hotels might include a per-call or per-minute charge for local calls. Payphones on city streets or in stores charge 25, 35 or 50 cents for a local call. Credit cards are accepted in many payphones, in urban centers.

Long-distance calls within the North American Country code "1" are dialed the same way as 10-digit local calls, except that the area code is preceded by a 1.The exception, is when a toll-free call is made. A toll-free number has the area code 800, 888, 877 or 866.

The area codes 900 and 976 are assigned to service providers. They charge an additional fee for their services, either on a per-minute or per-call basis. These live and pre-recorded services include adult chat lines, vote casting, horoscopes, soap opera updates, psychic consultations, games, donations processing, sports scores, weather forecasts, translation, and medical, legal or government services. The law requires the ads for these services, to clearly state the charges. When a customer places a call, a message must clearly specify the charges and when they will begin.

Emergency calls may be placed by dialing 911. All phone calls to 9-1-1 are free, including calls made by pay phone or cell phone, but these calls must be of an urgent nature, such as: if you have witnessed a crime that has just occurred or is still in progress; if you see an uncontrolled fire; if medical help is immediately required; if someone is trapped, drowning or taken a serious fall; if something catastrophic has occurred that has the potential to become much worse or could endanger human. Do not call 9-1-1 to obtain information, to make a complaint, to report a power outage, or for highway or weather information. When you reach the 9-1-1 centre, you will likely be asked to state the nature of your emergency: fire, police, or ambulance. You will then be asked to give the full details of your emergency. DO NOT HANG UP ON 9-1-1 until the 9-1-1 operator tells you to.

Or find a Toll free number on: http://www.canadatollfree.ca