Flatrates: Definition & role for cloud telephony | NFON Knowledgebase [Contact](# "Contact") ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/d98615a3ea/nfon-sales-contact.svg) Sales & General * [Talk to Sales](tel:+498000636624) * [Write to us](/en/request-information) Search * [![Products](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/539cd331b9/nfon-products.svg) Products](#) Call & Work ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) + [Cloud Telephony](/en/products/cloud-telephony/) + [SIP Trunk](/en/products/enablement/) + [Devices](/en/products/devices) Build & Automate ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) + [Assistants](/en/products/ai/assistants) + [Bots](/en/products/ai/bots) + [AI Agent Studio](/en/products/ai/agent-studio) Engage & Support ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) + [Contact Center](/en/products/customer-contact/) Integrations & Add ons + [Integrations & Add ons](/en/integrations/) * [![Solutions](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/da156cbbb8/nfon-solutions-industries.svg) Solutions](#) Industries + [Health & Wellness](/en/solutions/health-wellness) + [Retail & E-Commerce](/en/solutions/retail) + [Finance & Legal](/en/solutions/finance-insurance) + [Travel & Hospitality](/en/solutions/hospitality) + [Public Sector](/en/solutions/public-sector) + [Energy](/en/solutions/energy) Success stories + [Customer Stories](/en/customer-stories/) * [![Partnerships](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/36x36/7bd105c67d/nfon-partner.svg) Partnerships](#) Partner with NFON + [Become a partner](/en/partner/become-partner) + [NGAGE](/en/partner/partner-programme) Partner Portal + [Partner Portal](https://partners.nfon.com/) * [![Help Centre](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/d01fbb4f30/help-nfon.svg) Help Centre](/en/help-center) * [Login](https://start.cloudya.com/ "Login") * International + [International](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/flat-rate) + [Deutschland](/de) + [España](/es) + [France](/fr) + [Italia](/it) + [Österreich](/at) + [Polska](/pl) + [Portugal](/pt) + [United Kingdom](/gb) [![NFON Logo](/assets/logo-nfon.svg)](/en/ "NFON Home") * [Products](#) ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/a9f3ceed6f/nfon-call-work.svg) Call & Work ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Seamless communication ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/d03c61cf40/nfon-build-automate.svg) Build & Automate ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) AI Automation ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/106823b73b/nfon-engage-support.svg) Engage & Support ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Omnichannel support ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/50b60f5411/nfon-integrations-add-ons.svg) Integrations & Add ons Connect Teams & CRMs + [![](/images/products-call-work-cloudteleophny-navbar-int_Fjf8b.webp) ### Cloud Telephony ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Seamless cloud telephony for every device. High-fidelity audio with European-grade security.](/en/products/cloud-telephony/) + [![](/images/products-call-work-siptrunk-navbar-int_ZH5NzW.webp) ### SIP Trunk Secure cloud connectivity for your existing hardware. Scales instantly with your business.](/en/products/enablement/) + [![](/images/products-call-work-devices-navbar-int_Z2dP6.webp) ### Devices Professional telephones and hardware designed for clear calls and all-day comfort.](/en/products/devices) + [![](/images/products-build-automate-assistants-navbar-int_2ghUIJ.webp) ### Assistants ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Pre-configured, plug-and-play digital roles like FrontDesk and Workdesk. Ready to deploy instantly with zero coding required.](/en/products/ai/assistants) + [![](/images/products-build-automate-bots-navbar-int_Z1p57Vm.webp) ### Bots ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Prompt-driven, multi-channel conversational experiences. Automate custom customer journeys across Web Chat, Voice, and Livechat.](/en/products/ai/bots) + [![A chatbot creation interface is shown with a readiness message, build report, agent prompt details, and created tools list, over a gradient background.](/images/products-build-agent-studio-navbar-int_Z1Y88dE.webp) ### AI Agent Studio ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Simply turn your ideas into AI agents for your business. Describe the task, create a working agent, then optimize it in one workspace.](/en/products/ai/agent-studio) + [![](/images/products-engage-support-navbar-int_1xyFBE.webp) ### Contact Center ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Omnichannel customer service for modern teams. Manage conversations, automation, AI assistance, and customer context.](/en/products/customer-contact/) + [![](/images/products-integrations-addons-navbar-int_Z1Ka5ea.webp) ### Integrations & Add ons Expand your capabilities and natively connect your everyday business to keep all workflows unified.](/en/integrations/) * [Solutions](#) ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/da156cbbb8/nfon-solutions-industries.svg) Industries Tailored solutions ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/155f2a989d/nfon-success.svg) Success stories 54,000+ trust us + [![](/images/solutions-health-wellness-navbar-int_Z15q3kJ.webp) ### Health & Wellness Secure communication for better patient experiences and care delivery.](/en/solutions/health-wellness) + [![](/images/solutions-retail-ecommerce-navbar-int_zUgjw.webp) ### Retail & E-Commerce Connected communication for modern retail and customer engagement.](/en/solutions/retail) + [![](/images/solutions-finance-legal-navbar-int_1Dy5Ax.webp) ### Finance & Legal Trusted communication for regulated and security-conscious organizations.](/en/solutions/finance-insurance) + [![](/images/solutions-hospitality-travel-navbar-int_17WoBe.webp) ### Travel & Hospitality Seamless communication for exceptional guest experiences and service.](/en/solutions/hospitality) + [![](/images/solutions-publicsector-navbar-int_YyABB.webp) ### Public Sector Reliable communication for responsive public services and citizen support.](/en/solutions/public-sector) + [![](/images/solutions-energy-navbar_FDoix.webp) ### Energy Reliable communication for responsive customer service, even during outages and peak demand.](/en/solutions/energy) + [![](/images/solutions-costumerstroy-navbar-int_Z1MdOsM.webp) ### Customer Stories Real-world impact across every industry. Explore how we solve complex communication challenges for Europe’s leading brands.](/en/customer-stories/) * [Partnerships](#) ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/7bd105c67d/nfon-partner.svg) Partner with NFON Join the NFON network ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/8c5c9a9c78/nfon-partner-portal.svg) Partner Portal Existing partner login + [![](/images/partnerships-partner-navbar-int_ZHYGKx.webp) ### Become a partner From onboarding to co-branded marketing, we provide the tools you need to win.](/en/partner/become-partner) + [![](/images/partnerships-ngage-navbar-int_Zs3yY9.webp) ### NGAGE Discover our tiered rewards system designed to help you scale your business and revenue.](/en/partner/partner-programme) + [![](/images/partnerships-partnerportal-navbar-int_2ki451.webp) ### Partner Portal Access partner tools, deal registration, training resources, and program benefits in one place.](https://partners.nfon.com/) * [Help Centre](/en/help-center) * Search * [Login](https://start.cloudya.com/ "Login") * en + [International](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/flat-rate) + [Deutschland](/de) + [España](/es) + [France](/fr) + [Italia](/it) + [Österreich](/at) + [Polska](/pl) + [Portugal](/pt) + [United Kingdom](/gb) * [Contact](#) [Contact](# "Contact") + ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/d98615a3ea/nfon-sales-contact.svg) Sales & General Get in touch with us. ![](/images/getstarted-talktosales-navbar-int_ZMspQ4.webp) ### Talk to Sales Get a free consultation to see how NFON products can meet your needs. [+49 8000 – 63 66 24](tel:+498000636624 "+49 8000 – 63 66 24
") ![](/images/getstarted-writetous-navbar-int_ZY7MOf.webp) ### Write to us Fill out our request form. Our experts will respond as soon as possible. [Write to us](/en/request-information "Write to us") ### Flat rate [The various flat-rate tariffs of telecommunications providers](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/flat-rate#section-3) A flat rate is a special tariff model, in which certain services are paid for at a set fee, regardless of the amount they are used. This tariff model is often used with telecommunications services, such as telephone calls or Internet access. In contrast to tariff models that are volume or time dependent, a flat rate is not one where the fee payable is calculated according to the actual usage of the service. Originally used mainly in the telecommunications market, today flat rates are available for many kinds of services or products. ### The various flat-rate tariffs of telecommunications providers The flat rate for phone calls can be limited to different types of use. While some flat rates include phone calls to all national networks, others may be restricted to calls within the fixed-line network or within certain mobile networks. Flat rates for unlimited international calls to certain countries or regions are also available. A flat rate for Internet access includes the Internet connection itself and the transfer of an unlimited volume of data. It is now common for some network providers to protect themselves against intensive use by reducing the maximum speed of data transfer for the remainder of the month once a certain monthly data volume has been exceeded. Even though, in this case, they are not offering a truly flat rate, the tariffs are still advertised as being exactly that. While these volume-limited flat rates are rather still rare with [DSL](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/sdsl-shdsl) or cable network connections, this tariff model is predominant with mobile phone networks. When using [Voice-over-IP telephony](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) it is important to be aware that various tariff models exist and that billing will be affected accordingly. As VoIP calls are transmitted over the Internet, users must be mindful that in addition to the cost of the phone calls, the Internet usage and data traffic volumes are also billed for. Therefore, in order to ensure that calls are not billed through two different tariffs, VoIP users are advised to opt for a flat rate Internet connection that has no volume limit. In this situation VoIP usage is only charged for on the applicable VoIP tariff. ### Related Articles ### Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network and is generally known as the traditional phone network. It has been connecting people since the late 19th century, at first over copper telephone lines and later using fibre optic cables, satellites, and undersea cables. All of these are interconnected by switching centres which establish a dedicated connection – or circuit – between callers. Voice signals can then travel over this circuit. When the caller speaks into his handset, the caller’s phone translates the sound waves into electrical signals. These are transmitted over the PSTN (converted to optical signals for part of the way, so they can travel via fibre optic cables), and the phone at the other end of the line then translates the received signals back into sound. The arrival of **Voice over IP (VoIP)** technology – essentially, transmitting voice calls over the Internet rather than the PSTN – challenged traditional telephony and fundamentally changed how people communicate. [Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) [Back](#) ![NFON Logo](/assets/logo-nfon.svg) News * [Events](https://www.nfon.com/en/news/events) * [Press](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/communication/) Customers * [Cloudya Login](https://start.cloudya.com/auth/login) * [Admin Portal](https://admin.nfon.com/) * [NFON Status](https://status.nfon.com/) About NFON * [Corporate](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/) * [Investor Relations](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/investor-relations/ir-at-a-glance/) * [Sustainability & ESG](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/sustainability/) * [Career](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/careers/) Legal * [GTC-SLA](/en/legal/gtc-sla) * [Legal Notice](/en/legal/legal-notice) * [Trust Center](https://www.nfon.com/en/trust-center/) * [Data Protection](/en/legal/data-protection) * [Cookie Settings](javascript:onclick=UC_UI.showSecondLayer()) © 2026 - NFON | All rights reserved.