Caller ID, can anyone verify this?

Posts: 64

Prior to our number being ported, while using Vonage equipment, our name showed along with the phone number when we called anyone (what the person receiving the call saw).

I called Vonage because several people I call said that they didn't pick up because they didn't see our name. Tech support said that this is true of everyone who uses Vonage, they aren't allowed to submit the name with Caller ID because they're not a real phone company and they're hoping to be able to do that in the future, and the reason why it showed prior to the port was because a "real" phone company still owned the number.

I don't understand why some cell companies like Cingular allow outgoing name with Caller ID, wouldn't they fall under the same "not a real phone company" thing?

Posts: 64 · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 4:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks Moto, I guess it threw me off since it was working for the couple months I was in the middle of a port.

What does butler pr stand for?

Posts: 64 · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 4:59 pm Post subject:

Moto wrote:

Butler, PA

Mis type on my part Wink

I shoulda figured it out - that's kind of strange too - where would that come from, the area code?

Posts: 64 · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject:

iHateBellsouth wrote:

I have had all the same experiences. (except city,state) But I hope the name never gets on there. I prefer the privacy of Out of Area or Unknown Name and it looks more professional for work related calls too. Heck, I wish they'd take the number out too. If people don't want to pick up the phone then they'll just have to call you back on their dime oh well.

Hopefully if they ever get authority to do it, they'll allow an opt out or an option of what you want your name to show as.

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

PaulaBerge wrote:

Hopefully if they ever get authority to do it, they'll allow an opt out or an option of what you want your name to show as.

Man, I could just IMAGINE some of the things some people would put there! Surprised

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

I am totally the opposite. I feel like if I am going to call someone and bother them then they should know who it is that is calling them. That way they can decide whether or not to pick up the phone. I expect the same respect if someone calls me. That is why I would like to see “Anonymous Call Rejection” so that I can decide if I want to answer the phone. Unfortunately, Vonage’s Caller ID Service is not up to par and if they did have “Anonymous Call Rejection” half of my friends would not be able to make it through. Of course, if I were a businessman or using my phone for business, I would want to remain anonymous so that prospective clients would not know that it was me calling. Actually, it does kind of suck because most people have trained themselves not to answer the phone if the Caller ID says “Unknown”. But hey, what do you expect for $30 a month. If it ever gets to be too much for me I’ll just move on. I think that Vonage is great at doing what it does. I am happy for now.

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

To add to my point. If someone knocks at your front door, you look through the peep hole and see who it is. If it is a friend, you let them in. If it is a door-to-door salesman then you only let him in if you want to buy from him. If someone covers your peep hole or is wearing a mask then you call the cops (and hope that your 911 works, LOL). My problem is that about 50% of the calls coming to my house now have "Unknown" Caller ID. I know that the people who are calling used to show up properly on my Caller ID, but now they are not. I know that things are iffy right now with Vonage's status in several states but they are going to have to fight this head on and not use it as an excuse to not provide good service and features. Limiting features and service are not going to buy them anymore time. The Telcos, who have enjoyed a monopoly for so many years and basicaly were able to set their own rates for so long, are out to squash voips no matter what they do. I just find it so ironic that now that the Telcos are getting some compition they are freaking out about making it a level playing feild when they have been the only ones on the playing feild for so long.

Posts: 64 · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:19 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know why some cell phone companies can put people's names on the caller ID?

Posts: 64 · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:04 pm Post subject:

Thank you, I had no clue as to how that all worked. I really appreciate your writing it out.

About a year ago I called AT&T Wireless to ask if it was an option to add my name to caller ID and CS acted like they didn't know what I was talking about, this is the first time anyone has explained it.

I'm still happy with Vonage, just didn't get why - now I do Smile

Posts: 64 · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 12:34 pm Post subject:

iHateBellsouth wrote:

I found a web site just the other day that let you input a phone number and it would give you this information. Maybe I bookmarked it.

If you find it, please post it, I'd really like to see it.