Specials

Voice FAQ (Last updated 24th January 2006)

1. What is Pre-selection?

This is when your telephone number is submitted to the Telstra exchange. Telstra recognises the pre-selected number and routes through to the appropriate network. You do not have to dial a prefix code. 2. What is override?

This is when your telephone number is submitted to Telstra so that when an override prefix code is dialed, Telstra recognises the access code and routes the call through to the appropriate network. 3. What is the override code I should dial?

Exetel uses 2 upstream voice carriers.
Verizon is one. Their override code is 1428.
Soul/SPT is the other. Their override code is 1428.
The override code you dial will depend on which of these carrier’s your line is provisioned for.

Additionally, if you are a customer in regional Australia and your line is provisioned for override with Verizon, the override to dial is 1414. (1414 is AAPT. Verizon’s upstream carrier is AAPT for regional customers)

To be completely sure what override you should dial, you should email voice@exetel.com.au with your telephone number to find out. 4. Can I just dial the override code and make a call?

No – you must submit your number specifically in order to use a network for override.

5. Does Exetel charge for line rental?

No. You will continue to receive a bill from your Service & Equipment provider for this.

6. Does Exetel cap any calls?

Exetel does not currently cap calls.

7. What are Exetel's local call rates?

Residential local calls are rated at a flat 15c for the first 5 minutes, then 3.3c per minute after that. This is only available for customers in capital cities. 8. Why does Exetel time local calls?

All local calls are in fact timed by providers – even Telstra. Service providers do not make a profit on local calls of long duration. In fact the opposite is the case. Service providers bank of the fact that many local calls are of short duration. They make their profit by charging a flat fee based on the fact that an average call length is of 2 to 3 minutes in duration. So, at 22c per call, you are being overcharged in many cases for those short local calls. Exetel endeavours to make rates affordable to everyone. We have made our rate as low as possible in order to achieve this objective. 9. I think Telstra charge me for long distance calls but I'm not sure. How can I tell?

Dial 12711. You will get a recorded message informing you who your long distance provider is.

10. I like using Telstra's capped rate in the evening between 7pm and midnight. Can I still preselect to Exetel?

Indeed. You can pre-select to Exetel, therefore using us primarily for your long distance calls. If you were with Telstra before, you can simply use their override code of 1411 to make that long duration national call and take advantage of their capped rate in the evening between 7:00 pm and midnight. Their capped rate is capped at $2.25. This has been clarified with Telstra who assured us that the capped rate can be accessed using this method no matter what line rental plan you are on. 11. How long after my number is submitted will it be available through Exetel?

For pre-selection this takes about 4 – 7 working days.

For manual override this can be as soon as the following day.

12. I don't pay line rental to Telstra. Can I still pre-select calls to Exetel?

Technically you are able to do this. You will need to check with your current Service & Equipment provider what their terms & conditions are. Most providers who just re-bill Telstra’s line rental charge will allow this. It is always safer to get your line rental charge ‘back with Telstra’. However, this can take up to 20 working days. If Exetel pre-selects your number and you are not paying line rental to Telstra, it is possible that your number may be preselected back by your former provider. In this event you may find in their Terms & Conditions, that this is allowable. It may also be that our wholesaler does not have an interconnect agreement with that provider. To get your line rental plan back with Telstra, you should call them on 1800 884 209 and ask to churn your service to Homeline Part. 13. How do I know when the churn has taken place?

It can take up to 20 working days – that's a month. So this is a long time to wait. It is often quicker than that. Maybe 10 days or so. Dial 12711. You will get a recorded message informing you who your long distance provider is. When it's churned, it will say Telstra is the provider. Then we can submit your application.

14. How do I know if I am now preselected to Exetel?

Dial 12711. This is the long distance carrier check number.

You will get an RVA (Recorded Voice Announcement). What this message says will depend on which of Exetel’s upstream voice carrier’s your line is provisioned with.

If your telephone line is provisioned with Verizon and you live in a capital city, the recorded message will say “Thank you for choosing Verizon for your long distance calls”.

If your telephone line is provisioned with Verizon and you live outside these cities, the recorded message will say “Thank you for choosing AAPT for your long distance calls”.

If your telephone line is provisioned with Soul/SPT, the recorded message will say “Thank you for choosing Soul Pattinson for your long distance calls”. 15. What is the contract period?

If you have ADSL with Exetel, then you are bound by our 6 month contract period.

If you only have voice with Exetel, then you are not bound by any such contract period.

16. Where is my bill?

Exetel does not send a paper bill.

You can view your bill on the Exetel website.

If you have ADSL with Exetel as well as voice, please use the following link:

https://www.exetel.com.au/members/index.php

If you have just voice with Exetel, please use this link:

https://www.exetel.com.au/voice/index.php

17. What is the billing period?

From the 16 th of the previous month to the 15 th of the current month.

18. How do I pay the monthly invoice?

Your funds are directly debited from either the credit card or the bank account you nominated on your application form.

19. When are funds debited?

On or around the 21 st of the month.

20. I have a pre-paid land line. Can I preselect through Exetel?

No. You are unable to preselect to a network unless you are paying full line rental rates. This will cost you $60 to connect to Telstra's Homeline Part line rental.

21. I live outside Sydney or Melbourne. Can I use Exetel Voice Services?

Yes, you are able to make calls from anywhere in Australia . From September 6 th 2004, Exetel commenced provisioning for regional customers.

22. What are the rates for regional customers?

The rates are the same. The only rate that is different is the intercapital national rate. This rate is, of course, unavailable.

23. Can customers make local calls through Exetel?

Yes, local calls can be made if you dial the override code for Exetel’s upstream carrier your line is provisioned for. Please email voice@exetel.com.au to find out which carrier this is. If no override is dialed, you will be charged for the call by your line rental provider.

24. Is there a minimum monthly charge?

There is no minimum charge for customers using override.

There is for T plan customers using preselection; if the total of your call charges in any one month is less than $5.00 the bill will be rounded up to $5.00. 25. How am I charged if I call a person with a UK mobile who is on holiday in Canada?

In effect you are not charged any more than for a call to a normal UK mobile number.
You simply are charged for the call at the UK mobile rate (as you would if that person was in the UK). However, the recipient would also get charged for a call diversion/forward rate from the UK to Canada. 26. How do I set diversion delay?

If you want to set the diversions to 30secs, you can type the following into the phone and press SEND/DIAL:

**61*61016130947**30#