Russia considers mandating free incoming cell calls
We've never been happy about having to pay for incoming calls on
our cellphones, but we've become resigned to it. After all, this isn't Europe, right? Or Russia. Turns out those
godless ex-Communists have decided to show how consumer-friendly they are by making it illegal for cell services to
charge customers for incoming minutes. The lower house of the Duma, the Russian parliament, has approved an amendment
to the country's communication law that would require incoming calls to be free. We don't know if this'll ever make it
into law, but we do know that it would never even show up in debate in the US. Unless, that is, it was quietly slipped
in to a pointless pork-barrel bill having nothing to do with telecom. Hmm, there's an idea.
[Via textually.org]
Filed under: Cellphones
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AngeluX @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Actually, there is one place in US you could get a deal like this. It's Puerto Rico. I am a Verizon costumer with a Puerto Rico area code and I do get free incoming calls. I live in Maryland. And I do have "In network" calls, Nationwide, blah, blah, blah.
Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
This is "calling party pays" and it paves the way for cell companies to charge big(ger) termination fees. If you, like many have a plan with plenty of minutes in it and a local area code, there's no benefit to this plan. Countries that have it have to give out special mobile area codes so people know they're going to be ripped off when they call them. US system is much better.
David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Free incoming calls? I don't know, it seems so unamerican. :)
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
You people are talking about the cost of calling mobiles from landlines as if people still use them!
Someone said that you get 600 minutes for $39 - you can get 1000 for 20 here. If 20 is too much for you, try 5/month (i.e. cost of two beers!) for 150 minutes. People basically dont use landlines anymore.
I find the idea of paying to recieve calls akin to the Ultimate Con by the phone companies. I'd probably not call a lot of people just because I'd not want to cost them money by calling up to have an inane chat or whatever. Guess this is why the USA is so far behind the rest of the (GSM and increasingly 3G!) world.
Alan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Godless Ex-communists!! That gave me a great laugh.
Rutley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
American cellphone companies are bending the public over and not letting them up for air. In Australasian countries you can send a text around the world for 7 cents, have worldwide roaming, less expensive more advanced phones.... that's it, I am moving to New Zealand!
cecil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I have verizon. You mean you can do something for free? My phone charges one cent for each button press, and two for opening and closing the phone. Two cents to check the time, and 10 every time I charge it. Bluetooth is all but a mystery, but I heard if you listen real close into a dead headset, you can hear the OBEX profile scream.
Martin W @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
The problem with charging for incoming minutes, is that the rates are out of CALLER's control. For example, if I want to call a land line in taiwan, I can:
* land phone
* cell phone
* voip
* skype
Each of these has lower and lower rates. This is great news for everyone, cuz I get to choose how much I'm charged.
If I'm calling a mobile phone however, there is NO WAY to bring the cost down. Skype charges an INSANE $.20 per MINUTE. In the US, it's not uncommon for me or my mom to talk over 2000 minutes a month, but in Europe you'll be hard pressed to find anyone like that.
What's more, calling between cell phones is in general CHEAPER than between land lines. Each month 2/3 of my calls are FREE because they're ither in-network or after 9pm. In places where caller always pays, that's not true. Can you call a cell phone in europe from US at midning and not pay the $.20/minute fee? i don't think so.
mermel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
you realize that if we had free incoming minutes our plans would just cost more or it would cost more money to call a cellphone. why should the person calling a cellphone pay for the person using the cellphone? that doesnt make much sense. the fact is in america most plans are use bulk minute plans, and as long as you dont go over you plan incoming calls (and outgoing for that matter) are free on the margin
Price Fixer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Why not just mandate free incoming AND outgoing minutes? I mean if the companies are just raping the helpless, unintelligent, coerced public anyway, consumers have no choice in the matter. Stop obscene wireless profits now!
My personal preference, since I rarely leave the calling area, is Cricket. Totally unlimited incoming/outgoing, texting, long-distance or otherwise, for about $45. Then for out of town I use Virgin by the minute or Skype on my laptop. Total around $50 a month, and I talk far, far more than any mainstream plan I've seen.
Nilch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Even Asian countries - like India have mandated Free incoming calls and HAVE free incoming calls.
And that doesn't make any difference to making Skype calls - its cheaper than doing a Skype call from US anyways.
No wonder cell phone usage in India is greater than Landline usage and growing at a rate the US companies would love to see here - if only they can overcome their greed.
Slava @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
In ukraine free incoming calls from 2002-2003. Our Duma ask cell providers to remove any fee from calls in.
But after that call from regular number to cell cost much more.
Melker63 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Free incoming calls are a great antidote against unwanted phone-advertising, since they have to pay for each call. Besides: in Sweden I dont pay premium-charge for calling a landline-number. Its the same low flat-fee regardless who I call.
tab @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
In Finland you don't have to pay for incoming calls either and the cheapest fixed price (I think) for 1000 minutes and 200 SMS's is about 48$/Month.
And If you don't want telemarketing, you can go to a goverment website and add your details on a list. After that the telemarketing people are not allowed to call you anymore.
jo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
its a socialistic government regulatory system. We all know how much well THAT works, your just ganna end up paying somewhere else (sucha as less capital investments in new networks)
Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
So, what on earth happens with pay-as-you-go? The logical conclusion is that the callee can't answer any calls if they have no credit!! I really can't imagine that - my mobile almost never has credit on but I keep it around to receive calls. The only time we on UK networks pay to receive calls is if we're roaming (out of the country), at which point it does become extortionately expensive.
myname @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Paying for answered call... I guess this must really get conversations going. After reading this I wouldnt be suprised if US had a network coverage tax. I guess in use if you want to buy and use certain phone model you can only use it in a certain network. "Free" country.
Nilch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
"its a socialistic government regulatory system. We all know how much well THAT works, your just ganna end up paying somewhere else (sucha as less capital investments in new networks)"
Well it seems you are just used to having the network companies take you for a ride and also have you as their spokesman to justify that.
In Asia , WITH FREE INCOMING, there is more capital investment in new upgraded technologies than the US has. Face it, the US companies dont want to invest in new infrastucture since they have all this old equipment sitting in their laps to support now - and so they just jack up the customers.
Socialist regulatory system, my ass. If any system is as regulated as hells-broke - its the US communications system. Get the facts straight.
matthew jackson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Incomming cell calls are free in Sweden where I used to live.
mermel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
some of the people say they cant imagine not having free incoming calls as all they have a cell phone for is recieving phone calls which they dont pay for. does this not make sense to anyone else? these people are recieving phone service, and are not paying a dime for it. and they insist that this service which they are not paying for is a must and that the market would fail without it. even landline phones in the states you have to pay a monthly fee to be able to have the phone number and recieve incoming calls.
Nilch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Having free incoming calls usualy does not work that way - you have free incoming for life without paying a dime to anyone.
No - the way it works is you get free incoming calls (dont get charged) while the outgoing deducts money from the pre-paid or subscription plan. That's true for many asian service providers.
Once your credit is exhausted or your contract is voided - they keep giving you the incoming feature for a certain time (like a month) and then it doesnt work anymore - so you have to get another pre-paid card or service.
Its not a freebie for life - its just that charges are for calls you make - not if someone calls you.
arrgh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
in australia land, we get free incoming calls on mobile. that's how it should be - whoever calls you should pay.
if you receive a mobile call on your landline, you get charged premium rates. that is just wrong - it's double dipping.
if you call a mobile from your landline, you get charged premium rates too. i guess that's ok because the mobile phone holder that your calling doesn't get charged, hence just don't ring their cell. :)
Yuliy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
OK, I really would not want this?
Has anybody noticed that cell phone monthly charges are lower in the US than most other countries?
How would they be able to keep it that low if you're using airtime and not paying for it.
C'mon you have free nights and weekends anyway, just make your calls then, and stop complaining.
Everyone thinks its so better, everywhere else. It really isn't. The sheer amount of competition in America for digital products keeps prices very very low. I really think everyone on Engadget just needs something to complain about. "Companies are always screwing us over. I hate big corporations." Give it a rest.
Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I definitely prefer the call reciever paying for their share of the call, otherwise the caller has to pay for both sides and could inadvertantly end up with a big bill. This happened to me while studying abroad in Hungry. I got a cell phone and told my family that they should call me as I got free incoming calls. They were quite surprised when they got their first phone bill back. The cost to call the cell phone was outrageous. It ridiculous ofEuropeans to put this cost on the caller who may or may not know that they are calling a cell phone or someone too cheap to have a landline.
In the end someone pays for all the calls and this law will just increase the cost to call Russian cellphones.
Ideally I think the first minute should be free to determine who the caller is, and after that the reciever should pay for their half as they have "accepted" the call.
Deputy Dofoos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
You people pay for incoming calls??
Bwuahahhahaahhhah , roflerzls!!!1!!!1!!!1010011000
John @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I'd like to reiterate what a shitty idea free incoming cell calls is. You're placing the burden on the innocent -- someone may have to pay more to talk to you just because you choose to have a cell. Not to mention that paying for incoming minutes means it's illegal for telemarketers to call cells, since it costs the cell owner money. The US definitely got this one right.
Inquisitor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
They were ex-totalitarians, not ex-communists.
nizzy1115 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
haha thank you US CELL :) best deal of my life so far...free camera phone 1000 anytime minutes, free incoming calls, free incoming texts, nights and weekends 7pm-7am etc for 39.99 woot to that! been great for me so far and im sure their going to be starting the free incoming trend in the us :)
Siddharth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I am surprised to read that the incoming calls are also charged in the US. I dont understand why one needs to pay for incoming calls when the same rule doesnt apply to the landline telephones.
India got rid of the stupid rule back in 2003(I think) and that was with a base of a few million users...
Today with CDMA also becoming big here, the call rates have really dipped and while we do pay a premium while making calls from the landline and vice versa...its not much. No wonder we are adding abt 2.5 million users every month!
chuck @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Anyone with half a brain knows the stats: it costs an arm and a leg to call cell phones in countries where CPP (calling party pays) is in effect. The math is simple really: with CPP its the accepting partys provider that sets the tariff. So theres no incentive to keep it low. Fuck that! You do use providers resources, so why not pay for it? Its only logical.
Jesus @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Martin, your first comment makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Care you explain in people-speak?
dhi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Chris, Chuck and Martin W are correct. It is much better if the receiver pays for the call.
I live in Hong Kong and not only do we pay for incoming calls we pay for outgoing calls too... and it is the best system and it is still very cheap. Paying both ways does not mean it is $$$$$$ for the service just that the usage patterns change and the cost per call changes.
I pay to be connected - I pay for mobility, I pay for the ability to be contacted anywhere anytime if I wish. I think I should pay for the convenience - but it is dirt cheap as each carrier competes to offer the lowest rates.
Basically you pay for airtime - whenever the phone is used.
1. Mobile calls a Mobile - both pay for the airtime.
2. Landline calls a Mobile - Mobile pays for airtime - same rate as 1.
3. Mobile calls a Landline - Mobile pays - same rate as 1.
4. Landline calls a Landline - neither pays
If you divert your mobile to a Landline you don't pay when your mobile number is called.
The upshot of this is that people have no hesitation in calling me from a landline as it is free for them. If I am out and about and want to get calls - I pay. If at Home or in the Office - It's free if I've diverted to a landline. International callers to my mobile get no extra charge for the mobile call. (I'm sorry: to pay extra for calling a mobile from overseas is so damn dumb)
When I went to a country with caller pays it was so freaking annoying as no one would call me on the mobile due to the cost! Damn annoying as I had paid to be contactable and wanted to be called.
If you're in a free to receive calls country and think it is great - you're deluded - what a dumb idea! Mobile users should be the ones to pay for the convenience of mobility.
TONIC @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
what mobile phones? are u kidding? thos russians still use paper mail!!! yes, that`s true!!! and it works sloooooooowwww....very slooooooowww...it takes more that hour to just get your package at the post office...
anyway, let`s forget about shapka-ushankas and polar bears drinking vodka not far from Red Square...as it was mentioned above, this amendments (yes, they are active now, me heard) change nothing really - we all understand that outgoing calls will just become more expensive, and the cost of mobile services in Russia is VERY high (you complain about your high costs??? OMG here in russia we earn about 500 dollars a month, not 10000!!!!)....so it will hit less active mobile phone users, just like me - i hardly ever make a call, just have a mobile phone with me for emergency communication or other situations...
Terry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Nextel (now Sprint) offers free incomming call plans. I take advantage of this by using a Vonage VoIP account with the SimulRing service enabled. SimulRing rings 5 (possibly 10) numbers at the same time. So all of my Vonage numbers, as well as my Nextel cell phone all ring at the same time. I just answer the closest phone. I don't have to worry about airtime charges. I just give out one number and I can be reached anywhere.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I think someone mentioned crikket already ...but there are a few unlimited minutes companies poping up now ...in my area there is metroPCS 45 a month unlimited everything...the only drawback is that they are useing there own network (CDMA2000 3G) so the coverage is only local ....this kinda of thing can happen here because of competion....if you start throwing regulations out left and right prices rise and carriers have less of a reason to build whole new networks to compete because the regulation might actually make it too big of a risk...i will take it thae way it is here thanks
Martin W @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
This is stupid. I'm sooo glad that US doesn't have such a law. Just see where it leads you, check out how much it costs to do a SkypeOUT call to a US phone number vs a mobile costumer in germany or france. You're paying at least .20 cents per minute, even if you call at after 9pm.
Andy N @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Does this mean you pay for incoming calls in the US? Good Grief!
nemi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
As a U.K. citizen living in the U.S.A. I can see the pro's and con's of both billing methods.
U.K.
Free to receive calls on cell.
Orginator of calls (even on land-line) pays premium to call cell.
All cell phones have a certain pre-fix number so originators know they are calling a cell at preium rate.
U.S.A.
Billed to receive calls on cell.
Orginator of calls pays that same as calling a land-line.
All cell phones use local prefix so originators do not know if they are calling a cell phone.
Willie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
South Korea has free incoming call. And we all know how godless, bacteria-phoebia they are.
AlterNick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Philippines has free incoming call minutes as well. And to think that it's a third world country. Duh.
nln350 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
This is how it should be - Free incoming calls to your cellphone! In most countries in Asia, all incoming cell calls are FREE!
catinhat @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
They have free incoming calls in vietnam too. Even international incoming calls.
dr @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Duma is the lower house. Our parliament has two houses: Gosudarstvennaya Duma (Duma of the State) and Sovet Federatsii (Council of the Federation). All this is called Federalnoye Sobranie (that would be Federal Assembly i suppose...) ;-)
We'll see how all this turn out. Most likely it'll end up with higher prices for outgoing calls. It's worth mentioning however that we have many cellphone companies with "all incoming calls for free" tariffs even without this new law. So maybe it's more like "fixing" the laws to make them closer to reality ;-)
DJ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I saw a commercial the other day advertising unlimited free incoming calls. Can't remember what carrier it was through though... Anyone else remember seeing it?
waffa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Its not a bad idea companies would probably be little b!tches about it though and just raise minutes it does make sense though that you shouldnt have to pay for incoming minutes as you dont have complete control over them.
Andrew Galeucia @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Sprint already converted a while back offering free incoming minutes plans
Jimmy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Most of countries besides America has free incoming call... free for checking voice mail... and count the cell phone fee in seconds instead of minutes... free if hang up before "beep" sound in voice mail...
Look at what we have here... such a screw-up system... don't even mentino about the standard in GSM and also the slow adoption of 3G
morder @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
part of the problem with free incoming calls is that now it would be ok to receive telemarketing calls on your phones as it doesn't cost you anything anymore
daveo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
was that an attempt at a quote from the movie caddyshack at the beginning?
"This isn't Europe. Or Russia."
It's darn close.
"This isn't Russia. Is this Russia? This isn't Russia." -ty
"naaa" -danny
"i guess the question is, do you want to go to college?"
"in nebraska? besides it costs like $6000 a year"
"what did i give you yesterday, $5? I can't foot the bill for everything"
"it's just so expensive. i didn't even tell my dad about the scholarship i didn't get. I'm going to end up working in a lumberyard."
"what's wrong with working in a lumberyard. i own two lumberyeards."
"i notice you don't spend much time there"
"don't know where they are"
all from memory. probably contains mistakes.
Eagle117 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
US Cellular has free incoming calls in the USA. That's the only one that I know of.