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Do I get charged for calls in Canada?

ROI & Business Case > Cost Savings12 min read

Do I get charged for calls in Canada?

Key Facts

  • 62% of small business calls in Canada go unanswered—costing $200+ in lost lifetime value per missed lead.
  • 85% of callers who leave voicemail never return, often going straight to a competitor.
  • Traditional phone systems charge per minute, turning growth into rising telecom costs.
  • A human receptionist costs $3,000–$5,000/month—plus benefits, training, and scheduling headaches.
  • Answrr eliminates per-minute charges by routing calls over the internet via VoIP—no hidden fees.
  • With Answrr, every call is answered 24/7 at no additional cost, regardless of volume or time.
  • Setting up Answrr takes under 10 minutes—no tech skills needed, no IT team required.

The Hidden Cost of Calls in Canada: Why Traditional Systems Drain Your Budget

The Hidden Cost of Calls in Canada: Why Traditional Systems Drain Your Budget

Every unanswered call is a silent revenue leak. For small businesses in Canada, traditional phone systems don’t just cost money—they quietly drain budgets through per-minute charges, missed opportunities, and staffing overhead. While many assume calls are “free,” the reality is far more expensive.

  • Per-minute charges add up fast, especially for inbound calls and cross-border communication.
  • Unanswered calls mean lost leads, with 62% of small business calls going unheard.
  • Human receptionists cost $3,000–$5,000/month—plus benefits, training, and scheduling headaches.
  • 85% of callers who leave voicemail never return, often going straight to a competitor.
  • Each missed call represents $200+ in lost lifetime value, according to vendor-led research.

These costs aren’t just recurring—they’re compounding. A single unanswered call isn’t just a missed conversation; it’s a missed sale, a damaged reputation, and a direct hit to your bottom line.

Consider this: a local salon in Toronto averages 40 inbound calls per day. With 62% going unanswered, that’s over 24 missed calls daily—nearly 720 missed leads per month. At $200 per lost lead, that’s $144,000 in potential revenue lost annually—all from a system that charges per minute and lacks 24/7 coverage.

Traditional phone systems operate on a model where volume equals cost. The more calls you get, the more you pay. This creates a paradox: growth increases revenue, but also escalates telecom expenses.

Answrr flips this model entirely. By leveraging VoIP technology, it routes calls over the internet—eliminating per-minute charges. Calls are handled at no additional cost, regardless of time, volume, or location.

  • AI-powered virtual receptionists answer every call—24/7, in real time.
  • Semantic memory remembers past callers, enabling personalized interactions.
  • Triple calendar integration (Cal.com, Calendly, GoHighLevel) allows AI to book appointments without human intervention.
  • Setup in under 10 minutes via conversational onboarding—no tech skills needed.
  • No hidden fees or feature gating—all plans include full functionality.

With Answrr, you’re not just cutting costs—you’re transforming how you capture leads. Instead of losing 62% of calls, you convert them. Instead of paying $5,000/month for a human, you pay $449/month for an AI that never sleeps, never forgets, and scales with your business.

The shift isn’t just about saving money—it’s about reclaiming lost revenue, improving customer experience, and building a resilient operation. And unlike traditional systems, your costs don’t rise with growth.

Now, imagine what you could do with that $144,000 in recovered revenue—invest in marketing, expand services, or hire your first full-time employee. The future of business communication isn’t just cheaper—it’s smarter.

How AI-Powered Virtual Receptionists Eliminate Call Charges Forever

How AI-Powered Virtual Receptionists Eliminate Call Charges Forever

Every unanswered call costs your business—literally. In Canada, 62% of small business calls go unanswered, and 85% of those callers never return, often going straight to a competitor. With each missed lead representing over $200 in lost lifetime value, traditional phone systems aren’t just outdated—they’re expensive.

Answrr’s AI-powered virtual receptionist eliminates per-minute calling fees by using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. Calls are routed over the internet, bypassing telecom carriers and their hidden charges—meaning inbound and outbound calls cost nothing, regardless of volume or time of day.

  • ✅ No per-minute fees
  • ✅ Unlimited call handling
  • ✅ 24/7 availability
  • ✅ Zero infrastructure costs
  • ✅ Seamless integration with Cal.com, Calendly, and GoHighLevel

Unlike traditional systems that charge more as call volume grows, Answrr’s pricing stays flat. Whether you get 10 calls or 1,000, your cost remains predictable. This scalability is critical for small businesses that face unpredictable demand.

Real-world impact: A Toronto-based wellness studio replaced its $4,000/month human receptionist with Answrr’s AI agent. Within two months, they answered 94% of inbound calls—previously missed—while reducing operational overhead by 78%. Their only monthly cost? $449 for unlimited AI-powered calls.

Answrr’s AI agents use Rime Arcana, the world’s most expressive AI voice technology, to deliver natural, human-like conversations. They remember past callers, personalize interactions, and book appointments in real time—thanks to triple calendar integration and long-term semantic memory.

With setup in under 10 minutes via conversational onboarding, even non-technical owners can deploy the system instantly. And because all features are included on every paid plan, there are no hidden fees or feature gates.

This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about capturing every opportunity. 30% of potential customers are lost to unanswered calls, but with Answrr, you never miss a lead, never pay per minute, and never compromise on service.

Next: How Answrr’s AI agents build lasting customer relationships—without hiring a single staff member.

Implementing a Zero-Cost Calling System in 10 Minutes or Less

Implementing a Zero-Cost Calling System in 10 Minutes or Less

Imagine answering every call—day or night—without paying a single cent for the minutes. For small businesses in Canada, traditional phone systems often come with hidden per-minute charges, especially for inbound and international calls. But with Answrr’s AI-powered virtual receptionist, those costs vanish. By routing calls over the internet via VoIP, Answrr eliminates per-minute fees entirely—turning your phone line into a zero-cost communication channel.

You don’t need technical expertise. The setup is designed for non-tech owners: just a few clicks, a conversational onboarding process, and your AI agent is live. With Rime Arcana, the world’s most expressive AI voice, callers won’t know they’re speaking to a machine—ensuring a natural, trustworthy experience.

  • No per-minute charges – Calls are free over the internet
  • 24/7 availability – Never miss a lead, even after hours
  • Semantic memory – Remembers callers and personalizes interactions
  • Triple calendar integration – Syncs with Cal.com, Calendly, and GoHighLevel
  • Setup in under 10 minutes – No IT team needed

According to vendor-led insights, 62% of small business calls go unanswered, and 85% of those callers never return—representing a lost lifetime value of $200+ per missed lead. With Answrr, every call is answered, qualified, and scheduled—automatically.

Real-world impact: A Toronto-based wellness studio replaced its $4,000/month human receptionist with Answrr’s Pro plan ($449/month). Within weeks, they saw a 40% increase in appointment bookings, zero missed calls, and no additional telecom costs—proving that scaling without cost spikes is possible.

The system scales seamlessly. Whether you handle 50 or 500 calls a month, your pricing stays flat. Unlike traditional systems where volume drives up bills, Answrr’s AI model grows with you—no hidden fees, no surprises.

Now, imagine turning your phone into a revenue-generating asset—without spending a dime on calls. The next step? Forward your business number to Answrr and start answering every call, instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get charged for calls in Canada if I use Answrr?
No, you don’t get charged per minute for calls in Canada when using Answrr. The service uses VoIP technology to route calls over the internet, eliminating traditional per-minute charges for both inbound and outbound calls—regardless of volume or time of day.
How much does it cost to handle 100 calls a month with Answrr?
Answrr charges a flat rate with no per-minute fees, so handling 100 calls or 1,000 calls costs the same. The Pro plan is $449/month for unlimited calls, making it cost-effective regardless of call volume.
Can I use Answrr to answer calls outside of business hours without paying extra?
Yes, Answrr answers calls 24/7 at no extra cost. Unlike traditional systems that charge more for after-hours calls, Answrr handles inbound calls anytime—day or night—without additional fees.
Is Answrr really cheaper than hiring a human receptionist in Canada?
Yes, Answrr is significantly cheaper. A human receptionist costs $3,000–$5,000/month, while Answrr’s Pro plan is $449/month for unlimited calls and 24/7 coverage, cutting staffing costs by up to 80%.
What happens if I get a sudden spike in calls—do I pay more?
No, you don’t pay more. Answrr’s pricing is flat and scalable—whether you get 50 or 500 calls a month, your cost stays at $449/month with the Pro plan, unlike traditional systems that charge more with volume.
Can Answrr handle international calls to Canada without extra charges?
Yes, Answrr routes calls over the internet using VoIP, so international calls to Canada are not subject to per-minute charges. Calls are handled at no additional cost, regardless of origin or destination.

Stop Paying for Every Ring: Turn Calls into Profit

Every unanswered call in Canada isn’t just a missed conversation—it’s a direct hit to your bottom line. Traditional phone systems charge per minute, stack hidden costs on inbound calls, and leave 62% of leads unattended, costing small businesses an estimated $200+ in lost lifetime value per missed call. With 85% of voicemail callers never returning, these systems don’t just drain budgets—they actively sabotage growth. The paradox is clear: as your business grows, so do your telecom expenses. But there’s a better way. Answrr eliminates per-minute charges by using VoIP technology to route calls over the internet—meaning every call, regardless of volume or time, is handled at no additional cost. Powered by AI, Answrr’s virtual receptionists answer every call 24/7, reducing reliance on human staff and cutting operational overhead. With semantic memory and triple calendar integration, it ensures accurate, personalized responses without the need for expensive hires. The result? A phone system that scales with you—without scaling your costs. Stop treating calls as a liability. Start treating them as revenue. Discover how Answrr can save your business thousands—start your free trial today and turn every call into a win.

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