[Zoom] What are the cases where call charges apply? Explain how to set up for free use

Basically, there is no charge for calling with Zoom, but it is a good idea to review the settings in case of emergency.

Here, we will explain cases where calling charges apply when using Zoom, and how to set up for free calling.

Check the Zoom settings on your smartphone and enjoy a Zoom call with peace of mind.

Are there cases where call charges are incurred when using Zoom?

Zoom is a web conferencing tool with no basic charge, but please be aware that there are cases where call charges are incurred when participating by telephone.

First, let’s take a closer look at what causes call charges.

Voice participation by phone

When using Zoom from a smartphone, the user must select either “call using the Internet” or “call by phone”.

At this time, if you choose to call by phone, you will be charged a call fee because you will be connected to Zoom by phone line.

Be careful of call charges when participating in long-term meetings by telephone audio or using Zoom on a regular basis.

Invitation email settings are one of the most common reasons people accidentally choose to call by phone.

The default invitation email contains the URL to join the Zoom meeting, along with words such as “one-tap mobile device” and “dial at location” and a phone number.

If you are using Zoom for the first time, you may mistakenly think that you need to call someone.

Also, when accessing from the meeting URL, two options are displayed: “Call using Internet” and “Dial-in“.

Some people may have chosen the dial-in method because it is difficult to understand the notation of Internet calling.

In this way, if you make a phone call to connect to Zoom or choose to participate by dial-in (telephone voice), you will incur call charges while using Zoom, so be careful.

Additionally, international calls can be expensive.

A possible reason for the high Zoom call charges is that the global dial-in is set to the United States.

In Zoom, the default setting for the originator is the United States, so if you join by phone, you will receive an international call.

In the case of international calls, the call charges tend to be high even if the call time is short, so be sure to check the settings before using Zoom.

The next section explains how to set up global dial-in.

If you want to review so as not to incur call charges

From here, we will introduce how to review the settings so that Zoom does not incur call charges for those who are uneasy.

Computer audio usage settings

When using Zoom, you can fix the setting to use only computer audio (calls using the Internet) so that you do not accidentally select telephone participation.

Here’s how to set computer audio:

For browsers (common to PCs and smartphones)

1. Go to the Zoom website and sign in
2. Click “Settings” from the left menu on the My Account page
3. Check “Computer Audio” from “Sound Type” in the “Meeting” tab.

If you use Zoom as a waiting room , the screen will change to the following screen. Please wait until the host, you can prevent participants from making phone connections by making this setting.

In the case of a personal computer, calls are basically made with computer voice, so even if the above settings are not made, there is little chance that the phone will be connected by mistake.

However, even if you are okay, not all participants will connect to Zoom from their computers.

Even if you are using a computer, make sure to set the audio settings in advance so that you do not have trouble with the participants due to the presence or absence of call charges.

For desktop apps

1. Launch the desktop app and click “Settings (gear icon)” at the top right of the screen
2. Click “Audio” from the left menu
3. Check “Automatically connect audio on computer when connecting to meeting”

For mobile apps

1. Launch the mobile app and tap “Settings” at the bottom right of the screen
2. Tap “Meeting”
3. Tap “Auto-connect to audio”
4. Check “Use Internet”
5. Tap “Done”

Global dial-in changes

If you want to be more thorough, it would be a good idea to change the global dial-in settings to prevent Zoom calls from being treated as international calls.

The procedure to change the global dial-in setting to “Japan” is as follows.

1. Go to the Zoom website and sign in
2. Click “Settings” from the left menu on the My Account page
3. Scroll down to “Global dial-in countries/regions” in the “Phone” tab
4. Click Edit (pencil mark) next to United States
5. Check “Japan”
6. Click the “X” next to “United States”
7. Click “Save”

Also in the “Phone” tab, switch “Display international number link in invitation email” to off.

This removes the list of phone numbers from the body of the invitation email, so you don’t have to worry about participants calling you by mistake.

Cases where voice participation by phone is required in Zoom

If you connect to Zoom using a computer, smartphone, or tablet, you don’t have to worry about calling charges if you use an internet call.

However, in the case of devices (mobile phones/fixed phones) where only telephone voice can be selected, call charges will inevitably be incurred.

Finally, let’s take a closer look at when the use of phone voice is unavoidable and how it works.

Participate from a mobile phone (garakei) or landline phone

People tend to think that Zoom can only be used on a computer or smartphone, but in fact, it can be accessed from mobile phones and landlines.

However, in the case of mobile phones and fixed phones, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that call charges will be incurred because it will be a call via a telephone line.

The procedure for joining a Zoom meeting from a mobile phone or landline phone is as follows.

1. Call 03 4578 1488 or 0524 564 439
2. After entering the meeting ID according to the voice guidance, push “#”
3. Press “#” again and wait
4. After entering the password, push “#”

If you want to participate in Zoom by telephone audio, the host must allow telephone participation.

Please contact the organizer in advance and ask them to change the settings so that you can select the connection by telephone voice.

Scenes where telephone calls are useful

In the following cases, using Zoom using a mobile phone or landline phone is useful.

• The computer does not come with a microphone or speaker
• I don’t have a smartphone/tablet
• Cannot connect to video and VoIP/computer audio networks

If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can basically use Zoom only with the device, but there are many types of desktop PCs that do not have a microphone or speaker.

If you don’t have enough external equipment, you can display the meeting screen on your computer and use your mobile phone to make calls.

You need to pay attention to the call time because it costs a call, but it is a good idea to remember the general operation method so that you can use it according to the situation.

summary

• Zoom can be used for free, but please note that call charges will be incurred if you choose to call using a telephone line.
• Change the country setting to Japan and select computer voice calls to avoid incurring call charges
• Call charges are unavoidable when using mobile phones and landlines.

Zoom is a convenient tool that can be used for free.

Please check the settings before using and try to take advantage of convenient free calls.