Broadband, Phone and Postal information for the Irish consumer from ComReg

Frequently Asked Questions

Fixed Line

What is the difference between a call set up fee and a minimum call charge?


A call set up fee is a fixed amount levied on every call made outside of any inclusive minutes in your call plan, regardless of the duration of the call.  The call set up fee is charged in addition to the per second or per minute rate.

e.g. the call set up fee is 5 cent. The per minute rate of the call is 20 cent.  A five minute call will cost €1.05 (5 mins x 20c per minute + 5 cent call set up fee)

 A minimum call charge is the minimum amout that you will be charged for a call made outside of any inclusive minutes in your plan.  The minimum call charge is subsumed into the cost of a call that lasts longer than the minimum call charge time. 

e.g. minimum call charge is 5 cent.  The per minute rate is 20 cent.  Any call that lasts less than 15 seconds (calculated by dividing the 5 cent by the 20 cent and multiplying it by 60 seconds) will incur the minimum call charge of 5 cent (i.e. a 3 second call would incur the 5 cent minimum call charge).  However, once the duration of the call passes 15 seconds it is charged normally. So, once the cost of the call goes beyond the minimum call charge amount, the call is charged as normal - a five minute call would cost €1 (5 x 20 cent per minute).

As call set up fees are levied in addition to the cost of a call, and unlike minimum call charges, are not subsumed into the cost of a call beyond a certain minimal amount, they can make calls more expensive for consumers. 




 

© 2012 Commission for Communications Regulation