Anonymous caller rejection

Had this enabled on my landline for sometime now - what being registered with the TPS as well. Website here. I definitely do not get as many, if any, nuisance phone calls or sales persons ringing up. Handy combination.

[Okonski]

With a freshly installed NTL live, I tried the *227# code and received the voice message stationg the service wasn't available on my line. Calling CS over the last week I was told the following;
(1) The code is wrong (it isn't!)
(2) You need to fill out a form (you don't)
(3) It's a chargeable service (it isn't!)
(4) Given an 0800 number to call, which turned out to be ntl's Malicious Caller Information Line, that only gave advice.
(5) Advised the reason the service wasn't activated was because I asked for 'Anonymous Call Rejection' when it's really called 'Anonymous Call Blocking' (yes, right!)
(6) Before the CS operator can activate it, they have to email NL's Malicious Calls department to asks them to put it on the line.

Call me sceptical - but does anyone get the feeling ntl don;t want anyone to use this free service? I'm now told the service will be active tomorrow after the MC department can only put it on. We'll see!

[Okonski]

Well - it's finally applied to my line, and works as it should. A day or so later I received the following letter which may help others how ntl view the service:

Further to your telephone call to our Customer Services Department, I would like to confirm that Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR) has been added to your line. The facility can be controlled by you by dialling the following codes on your telephone:

Activate ACR dial *227#
Deactivate ACR #227#
Status Check *#227#

Please bear in mind that whilst this facility is active you will be unable to receive calls from any caller who withholds their telephone number. This may well include friends who call from their workplace, some schools and hospitals, where the number is automatically withheld rather than the individual choosing to withhold the number.

Anonymous Caller Rejection may not be generally available in your area at this time. However, because of the calls you are receiving (?) I am pleased to advise that the feature will be added on a discretionary test basis.

You will not be charged for the use of this feature. If in the future the feature is launched as a product and a monthly rental fee is introduced, you will of course be notified before any changes are applied.

In addition, to help you do not receive any sales or marketing calls in the future we would suggest you contact the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) on 0845 0700707 and the Fax Preference Service (FPS) on 0845 0700702. It will take up to 28 days for their marketing database to be updated.

If you still receive nuisance telephone calls whilst the AnonymousCall Rejection is active on your line or, you still receive nuisance telephone calls aftaer waiting the 28 day registration period with the TPS & FPS, then please call the Customer Services Department on 0800 052 2000 to report them.

Yours sincerely,
Nuisance Calls Bureau


Now - I'm unbsure why ntl make heavy weather of this being a 'special' service. Caller Display has been around for almost 10 years now, and I seriusly doubt whether any firm can justifiably say their equipment simply HAS to block the number. Esure (for example) will call with a fake Glasgow number that cannot be called back - this is against the rules, but does get round the problem. Having blocked numbers for the past 5 ywarsusing ACR, I can honestly say it has cut down much of the junk calls I receive, and as ntl provide this useful service FREE of charge, it makes considerable sense to make use of it wherever possible.

[injuneer]

Originally Posted by Okonski

Now - I'm unbsure why ntl make heavy weather of this being a 'special' service. Caller Display has been around for almost 10 years now, and I seriusly doubt whether any firm can justifiably say their equipment simply HAS to block the number. Esure (for example) will call with a fake Glasgow number that cannot be called back - this is against the rules, but does get round the problem. Having blocked numbers for the past 5 ywarsusing ACR, I can honestly say it has cut down much of the junk calls I receive, and as ntl provide this useful service FREE of charge, it makes considerable sense to make use of it wherever possible.

CLI's are a potential minefield, a lot of Business PABX's do not send out their correct CLI's i.e the CLI of the extension from which the call was made but instead send out a default CLI which is usually their operators or billing number. At least you would be able to trace the company from this info. Sometimes the setting of the business customer's data at the public exchange prevents the CLI being sent out. I'm not sure but I think it's a chargeable facility for business customers. International calls are also a problem, a lot of carriers don't forward on the CLI to the destination exchange. I don't think there is any lawful requirement to do so.

[Okonski]

There are two issues here - handling on national CLI, and those of International carriers. The latter isn't a problem, as inbound International calls can either display the correct number and country code, or be deemed 'International' with no number in the field. In both cases calls from these numbers will NOT be blocked by ACR.

For calls within the UK, the excuse that a PABX could not forward the relevant extension number is very lame these days... however with business practices meaning any CS staff could handle the enquiry, there is little point in providing the actual number of the calling extension. (Even more so when its an automated out-dial system that calls you first before connecting to a CS clerk). My concern is that there should be SOME form of number provided, a Presentation CLI number (for example) could give an 0870 number instead of the underlying 'real' number, if a telco cannot offer their clients even this most basic of services, then they deserve to lose all their customers until they do. It's really all about choice, more and more people feel they should have the right to receive calls only from those people who don't have a problem with providing their CLI information. If they do, then ACR is a good way to make this preference known!

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by Okonski

There are two issues here - handling on national CLI, and those of International carriers. The latter isn't a problem, as inbound International calls can either display the correct number and country code, or be deemed 'International' with no number in the field. In both cases calls from these numbers will NOT be blocked by ACR.

For calls within the UK, the excuse that a PABX could not forward the relevant extension number is very lame these days... however with business practices meaning any CS staff could handle the enquiry, there is little point in providing the actual number of the calling extension. (Even more so when its an automated out-dial system that calls you first before connecting to a CS clerk). My concern is that there should be SOME form of number provided, a Presentation CLI number (for example) could give an 0870 number instead of the underlying 'real' number, if a telco cannot offer their clients even this most basic of services, then they deserve to lose all their customers until they do. It's really all about choice, more and more people feel they should have the right to receive calls only from those people who don't have a problem with providing their CLI information. If they do, then ACR is a good way to make this preference known!

Many organisations don't want their number being given under CLI as their telephony system can't determine who on their system called you. If they have a very large switchboard they won't want it being deluged with calls saying that someone there called them if they don't know who to direct the call to.

A lot of call centres have a single non geographic number which can connect to several call centres. This can either determine the correct call centre to handle the call from CLI information, have a menu system for routing the calls or simply route you to a call centre with free agents. CLI is of no use if they call you.

A lot depends on the equipment that the telco has and also on the equipment that the caller or the callers network has. The telco can only alter their own equipment.

[broxisteve]

Hi,


Just spoke to CS and they said the following:

- ACR available in all NTL area's

- only able to turn on and off by CS

- Cost £1.75 a month.

I live in the Glasgow area. Anyone know if CS is right??

[Marge]

Originally Posted by broxisteve

Hi,


Just spoke to CS and they said the following:

- ACR available in all NTL area's

- only able to turn on and off by CS

- Cost £1.75 a month.

I live in the Glasgow area. Anyone know if CS is right??

It's free for the ACR service

[altis]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

It's free for the ACR service

Unlike BT who charge a whopping £4 per month (inc VAT)
https://www.bt.com/SelectServices/in...K&obsOID=53755

Well done NTL on this one.

[injuneer]

Originally Posted by ian@huth

A lot depends on the equipment that the telco has and also on the equipment that the caller or the callers network has. The telco can only alter their own equipment.

Yes, had a problem recently where a business customer wanted the individual CLI's to be sent out so we duly enabled it on the switch. Customer complained that it didn't work so after analysing the signalling it turns out his equipment wasn't sending the correct CLI (OLI to be precise: Originating Line identity) to the exchange, the switch didn't recognise it as a valid extension number and defaulted to presenting the main billing number. The PABX maintainer said it would take too much work at his end to correct it !!

[Okonski]

Originally Posted by broxisteve

Hi,
I live in the Glasgow area. Anyone know if CS is right??

Well so do I - and they're NOT! Seem my original post for the various explanations and errors. I suggest you call them back and ask again. Citing the relevant sections of their letter to me in an earlier posting where the correct situation is explained.

There are times you just wanna scream!
__________________

Originally Posted by ian@huth

Many organisations don't want their number being given under CLI as their telephony system can't determine who on their system called you. If they have a very large switchboard they won't want it being deluged with calls saying that someone there called them if they don't know who to direct the call to. .

But the issue is of anonimity, not that they've bought carp equipment that doesn't support it! If their quick fix is to set up a block withheld, they'll not get through, and to an ever increasing bunch of telephone users

Originally Posted by ian@huth

A lot of call centres have a single non geographic number which can connect to several call centres. This can either determine the correct call centre to handle the call from CLI information, have a menu system for routing the calls or simply route you to a call centre with free agents. CLI is of no use if they call you..

This is what Presentation numbers are used for. Since any agent can usually access the customers details, if they answer with the correct company name then the recipient can probably provide the relevant information for them to 'find' you. The prospect of someone calling back in response to a non-appropriate CLI number I doubt will be a problem. Why should the person make a call at their expense? If someone is calling me, they can continue to do so until successful, or send me a letter. Once someone sees the cost of calling folk back, they'll quickly come to the same conclusion.

Originally Posted by ian@huth

A lot depends on the equipment that the telco has and also on the equipment that the caller or the callers network has. The telco can only alter their own equipment.

Absolutely, but whoever has the deficient equipment or service should get it fixed. NOT use 'Withheld' as a quick fix!

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by Okonski

But the issue is of anonimity, not that they've bought carp equipment that doesn't support it! If their quick fix is to set up a block withheld, they'll not get through, and to an ever increasing bunch of telephone users


This is what Presentation numbers are used for. Since any agent can usually access the customers details, if they answer with the correct company name then the recipient can probably provide the relevant information for them to 'find' you. The prospect of someone calling back in response to a non-appropriate CLI number I doubt will be a problem. Why should the person make a call at their expense? If someone is calling me, they can continue to do so until successful, or send me a letter. Once someone sees the cost of calling folk back, they'll quickly come to the same conclusion.


Absolutely, but whoever has the deficient equipment or service should get it fixed. NOT use 'Withheld' as a quick fix!

Not all organisations are call centres with every member of staff having a computer screen in front of them. Think about very large companies such as Ford, universities, hospitals, government departments, hotels, etc. They may have switchboards that work perfectly for them so why should they spend possibly millions on altering them.

[soneill]

I know of one company that had quite a nice way round this problem. The did provide a CLI number on outgoing calls. This number in no way actually represented who within the company had phoned but was connected to a recorded message that basically said "Someone from company x has called you and will try calling you back later".

[shredder]

i've had that too except they've been calling me upto three times a day, when i try and call them back on the number displayed on my phone a get an automated message so i can't even call to tell them to stop calling me!

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by soneill

I know of one company that had quite a nice way round this problem. The did provide a CLI number on outgoing calls. This number in no way actually represented who within the company had phoned but was connected to a recorded message that basically said "Someone from company x has called you and will try calling you back later".

Either the call will give CLI or it won't. How can it tell you that a different number called to the one from which the call was made?