[asterisk-biz] Common charging patterns for US-based carriers

[SIP]

We've had a few carriers for PSTN termination over the years, and with 
our most recent one (Vitelity), I've noticed something that's unusual in 
OUR experience, so I'm wondering how common it is.

For what they call "international" calls -- i.e. calls outside the US-48 
(they're ALL "international" to US, since we're not a US-based company), 
they start charging based on when the call was initiated and not when it 
was established. Whereas, for US-48 calls, they bill based on when the 
call connects. Is that normal? Was the first we'd seen it, so I was just 
somewhat curious whether that was common practice. It was wholly 
unexpected for us, as we bill our customers based on when the call 
connects to the other party and not when it starts 'dialing' to the 
other party.

Just somewhat curious as to everyone else's experience with carriers. 
We've certainly no complaint with Vitelity's service -- just thought it 
was a little odd.


N.