Berlin/Cologne (dpa/tmn) – Call-by-call will soon be history: Telekom landline customers will only be able to use discount codes for domestic and international calls until the end of 2024.
After that, the option to switch providers from call to call in order to save fees will no longer exist. Deutsche Telekom and the providers of telecommunications and value-added services had already decided this in the summer of 2023.
Use landline flat rate or messenger apps
Table of Contents
- 0.1 Use landline flat rate or messenger apps
- 0.2 Dial through instead of pre-dialling…
- 0.3 … or simply let us call you
- 1 **Call-by-Call: What You Need to Know as It Comes to an End**
- 2 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions for the title: **Call-by-Call: What You Need to Know as It Comes to an End**.
Table of Contents
However, this does not mean that customers of Telekom or other providers now have to make calls at the potentially expensive tariff conditions of their landline provider, explains the telecommunications portal “Teltarif.de”.
Unlimited calls to the German landline network are included in most current combined tariffs for telephone and internet, regardless of whether it is a DSL, cable or fiber optic connection.
And if you want to call abroad or call Germany from abroad, the best thing to do is to use the free telephony feature of a messenger app on your smartphone, the experts advise.
Dial through instead of pre-dialling…
However, older people who may not be used to making phone calls using their smartphones or apps still have other ways to save money on landline calls.
This includes the so-called call-through procedure, which works in a similar way to the call-by-call area codes, explains “Teltarif.de”. You have to dial the 0180 number of the cheapest provider for the respective call destination, enter the actual telephone number and then you can make the call.
… or simply let us call you
It is of course also possible to simply have someone call you, especially from abroad. Perhaps the caller has a flat rate option to Germany or can make cheap calls to local landlines using messenger apps.
With the abolition of the monopoly on voice telephony services in 1998, Telekom was obliged to offer its customers call-by-call in the interests of competition. This obligation expired in 2019.
Since then, Telekom had repeatedly voluntarily extended Call-by-Call following negotiations with the Association of Telecommunications and Value-Added Service Providers (VATM). However, the negotiating partners then decided to end Call-by-Call for good in 2023 at the end of 2024.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240913-930-231449/1
**Call-by-Call: What You Need to Know as It Comes to an End**
Call-by-Call: What You Need to Know as It Comes to an End
As of 2024, Deutsche Telekom’s call-by-call service will come to an end, leaving customers to rely on other methods to make affordable calls. But what exactly is call-by-call, and what alternatives are available?
What is Call-by-Call?
Call-by-call (CbC) is a service that allows customers to use a different provider for individual phone calls or internet connections, rather than relying on their primary telephone provider ([3]). This service was particularly useful for making international calls or calls to specific regions, as it allowed customers to take advantage of more affordable rates offered by other providers.
The End of an Era: Call-by-Call Phased Out by Deutsche Telekom
In the summer of 2023, Deutsche Telekom and other providers of telecommunications and value-added services decided to discontinue the call-by-call service ([1]). As of the end of 2024, customers will no longer be able to use discount codes for domestic and international calls. This change may seem daunting, but there are still ways to make affordable calls.
Alternatives to Call-by-Call
One option is to use a landline flat rate, which typically includes unlimited calls to the German landline network ([2]). This is a convenient option for those who make frequent calls within Germany.
For international calls, messenger apps offer a cost-effective solution. By using the free telephony feature of a messenger app on your smartphone, you can make calls abroad or to Germany from abroad at no additional cost.
Dial-Through: A Similar Alternative
For older individuals who may not be familiar with using smartphones or apps, there is another option available. The dial-through procedure works similarly to the call-by-call area codes. By dialing the 0180 number of the cheapest provider for the respective call destination, entering the actual telephone number, and then making the call, customers can still make affordable calls.
Let the Caller Take the Lead
customers can consider having the person they’re trying to reach call them instead. This can be particularly convenient for international calls, as the caller may have a flat rate option to Germany or be able to make cheap calls to local landlines using messenger apps.
while the discontinuation of call-by-call may seem like a setback, there are still several alternatives available for making affordable calls. Whether you opt for a landline flat rate, messenger apps, dial-through, or simply have someone call you, there are ways to stay connected without breaking the bank.
Call-by-Call: What You Need to Know as It Comes to an End
As of 2024, Deutsche Telekom and other providers of telecommunications and value-added services have decided to discontinue the call-by-call option, which allowed customers to switch providers from call to call in order to save fees[[[2]]. This means that Telekom landline customers will only be able to use discount codes for domestic and international calls until the end of 2024. After that, the option to switch providers from call to call will no longer exist.
However, this does not mean that customers now have to make calls at the potentially expensive tariff conditions of their landline provider. According to the telecommunications portal “Teltarif.de”, unlimited calls to the German landline network are included in most current combined tariffs for telephone and internet, regardless of whether it is a DSL, cable, or fiber optic connection.
Use Landline Flat Rate or Messenger Apps
If you want to call abroad or call Germany from abroad, the best thing to do is to use the free telephony feature of a messenger app on your smartphone, as advised by experts. Additionally, international calls can be made at a flat rate of €0.079/min to the fixed network abroad, such as to Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.S.[[[1]].
Dial Through Instead of Pre-Dialling…
Older people who may not be used to making phone calls using their smartphones or apps still have other ways to save money on landline calls. This includes the so-called call-through procedure, which works in a similar way to the call-by-call area codes, explains “Teltarif.de”. You have to dial the 0180 number of the cheapest provider for the respective call destination, enter the actual telephone number, and then you can make the call.
… or Simply Let Us Call You
It is also possible to simply have someone call you, especially from abroad. Perhaps the caller has a flat rate option to Germany or can make cheap calls to local landlines using messenger apps.
with the end of call-by-call, customers will need to explore alternative options to make affordable calls. This can include using landline flat rates, messenger apps, or dial-through procedures. Additionally, having someone call you instead can also be a viable solution. As the telecommunications landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest changes and options available.
References:
<a href="https://servicenummern.telekom.de/fileadmin/redaktion/PDFs/T42ENEPBSharedCostIntern.pdf”>[1]
<a href="https://ga.de/news/digitale-welt/ende-von-call-by-call-so-telefonieren-sie-guenstig-weiteraid-118909591″>[3]