Caller Line Identity - where is it ? - Page 3

bob_builder · 17-08-2004, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

One thing: Even with CLI, you are not protected against cold callers. Their number is often withheld. How are you going to block them? Not answer callers with withheld numbers? If you do, bear in mind that somebody with a legit reason to contact you may be unable to get through because their number is withheld (for instance, some hospital switchboards automatically withhold the number).

I do exactly this on my NTL line. If I recognise the number as somebody I want to speak to I answer the phone. If the number is withheld, not available or is an obvious company number (0845 etc.) I do not answer the phone and let it ring. If the caller lets it ring long enough (9 out of 10 times it stops after only three or four rings and so is obviously a sales call) they will get through to my voicemail. If they are a legitimate caller they can leave a message asking me to phone them back.

Since installing CallerID and VoiceMail I have not answered ANY unwanted phone calls and honestly cannot see myself being able to live without it.

bob_builder · 17-08-2004, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamJet

If so then the position is worse that I thought - I booked a phone service with Nynex 10 years ago on the basis that the cable companys were innovative and would offer MORE services ! !

What you and others are saying is :-

1. NTL care nothing for Innovation and supplying additional services

They would only care about it if they thought they could make a profit out of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamJet

2. NTL regard us - the poor customers - a mere revenue items - and our needs and their duty to consider those needs are well down the line in terms of what they do - what happened to Social Responsability ? ?

NTL have no duty of service to the customer (unlike BT who do because it is forced on them by OFCOM but wish they did not), however they do have a duty to their shareholders to maximise profits. If their shareholders thought that NTL was not doing this they would have the right to force them to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamJet

I SUSPECT that the real reason why there is no CLI is that NTL in some way have been 'got at' by other big businesses who do NOT want us consumers to be able to screen / block calls from cold calling Sales companys

I doubt that NTL have been 'got at' in the way you imply. However, as large banks and corporate institutions probably make up 90% of NTL's shareholders they will have been 'got at' to make sure they have the best profit margin.

Craig W · 17-08-2004, 12:09

I've just been to ntlhome.com and tried to sign up for Caller Display
It asks for my postcode then goes away to check availability
So far so good
returns with a list of available features - including caller display
So I place an order
Fill in Account number name etc
then asks for banking details for direct debit (eh? I'm an existing customer)
then asks for memorable information passwords etc for configuring my broadband package (eh?.. I'm just adding a telephone feature).
So I give up and ring customer services
Guess what
She tells me Caller Display isn't available in my area
I protest and explain that ntl web page has already told me that it is available
nothing she can do - web page must be wrong she says.

Very Very unhappy customer

Craig

poolking · 17-08-2004, 12:12

Never take what the NTL websites say as gospel.

altis · 17-08-2004, 12:18

Never take what anyone from NTL says as gospel!

poolking · 17-08-2004, 12:27

In theory you should be able to trust the NTL websites, but unfortunately it is a case of "too many chiefs and not enough indians".

Appears that too many people are calling the shots and not enough people to implement what is being said.

SMHarman · 17-08-2004, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

<snip>For your particular problem, have you tried the Telephone Preference Service (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/)? I used to get at least 2 or 3 calls everyday on both my BT and NTL lines selling stuff, since I registered with them, I have got maybe one or two a month.
<snip>

And if you ever do get them, find out the name of the company calling, their phone number and data protection administrator and report them to TPS. TPS are most happy to respond and deal with the offender, oh and you can report them on-line.

pop80_uk · 22-08-2004, 17:04

Is caller Id avaiable in Stafford? ST16.
Thanks

poolking · 22-08-2004, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Is caller Id avaiable in Stafford? ST16.
Thanks

Already been told it is.

DeadKenny · 23-08-2004, 01:15

Last time I checked it wasn't available in Woking and I was told it was unlikely to ever be. I've mentioned it in my complaints before but have been fobbed off

Do I care about excuses of costs? No.

As a consumer who's paid a fair amount of money for digital phones with caller ID and with no indication they would not work with NTL (even NTL's "services available in your area" leaflet at the time I bought them seemed to indicate it was available), what I want is caller ID, not excuses.

I'm sorry, but arguments about cost don't hold water. In a big telecom company like this there are always going to be certain services that cost more than they'll make money back on. They make the money in other areas instead, and besides, Caller ID isn't being offered free. They are charging for it.

As for "lack of demand", NTL must not be logging the calls they get from customers requesting Caller ID.

By the way, Caller ID uses goes way beyond just screening double glazing salesmen (which can be sorted out with TPS).

Quite often I could use it to screen friends/family. Sometimes someone's calling and you're eating a meal or watching a film and if it's immediate family you might want to take the call, but others could be left to voicemail/answer-phone as you know it's just going to be idle gossip. Okay, you could leave everyone to that, but people are put off by an answer phone and won't leave a message.

A bigger use though is for logging calls. My phones will store a range of numbers from caller ID during the day. 1471 will only tell you the last number. Caller ID would be very handy in this case to check if someone's been trying to contact you (and obviously is put off by the answer phone).

It could also be handy for keeping an eye on burglars who are calling at specific times to check if you're in (if you're a bit paranoid). A phone that logs Caller ID numbers will often log the times.

SMHarman · 23-08-2004, 13:15

BT 1471/1571 does a lot of this now, callers numbers who left no message etc.

DeadKenny · 06-10-2004, 18:30

Here's a reason why Caller ID/Display is of use...

On BT landlines with Caller Display you can send text (SMS) messages to them!

Try it (if you have a BT caller display phone, or know someone who does).

More info here...

http://www.bt.com/bttext/

If you don't have caller display you get a voice mail message instead, but the display would be much better.

bob_builder · 06-10-2004, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadKenny

Here's a reason why Caller ID/Display is of use...

On BT landlines with Caller Display you can send text (SMS) messages to them!

Try it (if you have a BT caller display phone, or know someone who does).

More info here...

http://www.bt.com/bttext/

If you don't have caller display you get a voice mail message instead, but the display would be much better.

You also need "a text compatible phone" as well as caller display and there are not many of these about yet - see http://www.shop.bt.com/icat/smstextp...xtphones_btcom for more details.

DeadKenny · 06-10-2004, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_builder

You also need "a text compatible phone" as well as caller display and there are not many of these about yet - see http://www.shop.bt.com/icat/smstextp...xtphones_btcom for more details.

Only for sending texts from a BT landline. Most caller display phones support receiving them as I understand it and there are loads of them

bob_builder · 06-10-2004, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadKenny

Only for sending texts from a BT landline. Most caller display phones support receiving them as I understand it and there are loads of them

But on BT's site it says:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BT

1. What equipment do I need to use BT Text?
To send text messages from your home phone, you will need a text compatible phone and a compatible telephone line. To view text messages on your text compatible phone, you will also need to subscribe to the BT Caller Display service. If you don't subscribe, you will receive text messages as voice messages. If you haven't registered for the service, you will also receive text messages as voice messages.

http://www.bt.com/bttext/faq.html

and

Quote:

Originally Posted by BT

Receiving a text message

If you have a text compatible phone and BT's Caller Display service, your phone will alert you that you have received a text message:
* You can then read your text message on the screen

If you don't have BT's Caller Display service or aren't registered with BT Text:
* You will receive your text messages as voice messages

http://www.bt.com/bttext/use_bt_text.html

Which I admit is ambiguous but appears to say that you need a text compatible phone to read messages on the screen.