Any Rumors Yet on Call Blocking Feature?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: 2

I finally made the switch to VoicePulse when my phone number became portable and I couldn't be happier with the service. Any nuisance number gets filtered to a "this number has been disconnected and is no longer in use" message. I never hear the phone ring at all with those calls. The filters they have are amazing and really work and the voice quality is second to none. I wish I could select entire area codes to block. There is some Florida area code that keeps trying to sell car warranties (rip-off!) and they use various similar numbers within that area code to call. I emailed VoicePulse asking that they add it as an option. Right now I have my phone set to "do not disturb" and list all of my friends, family and work related numbers to bypass and ring straight through. All 800 (and other toll-free) calls get the "not in service tone" before the "do not disturb" message. If they are calling on an automatic dialer, it shows as a disconnected number; they call this feature the Telemarketer Block.

Posts: 49 · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:34 am Post subject:

I still can't believe, after all this time, we are still waiting for this feature!

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 21, 2009 Posts: 2

twelve01748 wrote:

This solution is so good, you shouldn't consider it an interim solution.

<snip>
http://www.phonetray.com/ptfree_faq.htm#_What_modem_do_you_recommend_for_PhoneTray_Free

I am in the process of setting up Phone Tray, just waiting for the modem to arrive. I couldn't find a suitable voice modem on Newegg, so I ordered the recommended Hiro modem from Tigerdirect.

My problem is I have to be reachable 24/7. Incoming calls get forwarded to my cell phone if I don't answer the call. If I don't answer the cell phone, the call goes the cell phone voicemail. Then my cell phone keeps beeping until I listen to the message which is extremely annoying when it's one of those telemarketers who repeatedly call. I just need something that will answer the call so it doesn't get forwarded to my cell phone. I'm hoping Phone Tray will
do the trick.

I know several people who did not go with Vonage because of the lack of call blocking. Vonage needs to get a clue and figure out that lack of call blocking is hurting their business.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 12, 2008 Posts: 3

We need it now, it should be part of the service.
I'm running PhoneTray but selective call block would be better.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 22, 2010 Posts: 2

I have to agree. Vonage get with it or I'm moving to voicepulse. People have been asking for this for 5 friggin years

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2010 Posts: 1

OK, first I'll say I have been very pleased with Vonage and have used them for about 3 years. From the start I requested selective Call Block but it was noty available and still is not. Meanwhile, I can call around the world for next to nothing! So, Vonagae can figure out how I can call 60 countries for free and deliver my voice mail via text but can't figure out how to add call blocking?

Something seems wrong here ...

I hope Vonge can get this added soon. Now that their competition has become more reliable, I may be switching soon unless Vonage gets this basic feature added. Judging from this and similar forums on Vonage. I'm not alone.

So, for Vonage ---- Are you working on this at all? If so, what is the projected implementation date? If you are not going to add it, please let us know.

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 20, 2010 Posts: 1

I've been with Vonage going on 7 years now. Quality has gone up and down, often dependent on the firewall and/or ISP I'm using. But one this has stayed the same...
--- Total lack of features.

I was told, when I first signed up, that outgoing caller ID block would be available within a few months. Yes, I know, you can block per call. I'm talking about turning off your outgoing caller ID, the way you can do on any POTS line.

7 years later, nothing. 7 years later they have added voicemail transcription which isn't good for anything as it ****, and calling to 60 countries. I've made one international call in 7 years and that cost me $10, calling Israel.

I hate to say it, but despite the extremely reasonable pricing they have given me as a long time customer, phonepower.com is looking really good right now.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 26, 2010 Posts: 3

I am/Was a new Vonage customer...I Am being Ported back to my old Teleblend Voip service as we speak Cool

And it's because Vonage does not offer selective call block! Eek

I am an IT technician, have been in communications since 1982. And have come up with some ideas as to why the big orange will not add this very BASIC feature....

1. Vonage now has the largest share of Voip customers, numbering in the millions.

2. Telemarketing is Very BIG Business....Pulls down MegaBucks...

3. Telemarketing pays Vonage NOT to add selective call blocking....

Now you KNOW why this feature is not added, and especially not added for FREE!! Eek

Vonage would never be able to squeeze that kind of revenue out of it's customers.

That, my friends is the REAL No-Brainer answer Wink

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 02, 2010 Posts: 2

Lane555 wrote:

I am/Was a new Vonage customer...I Am being Ported back to my old Teleblend Voip service as we speak Cool

And it's because Vonage does not offer selective call block! Eek

I am an IT technician, have been in communications since 1982. And have come up with some ideas as to why the big orange will not add this very BASIC feature....

1. Vonage now has the largest share of Voip customers, numbering in the millions.

2. Telemarketing is Very BIG Business....Pulls down MegaBucks...

3. Telemarketing pays Vonage NOT to add selective call blocking....

Now you KNOW why this feature is not added, and especially not added for FREE!! Eek

Vonage would never be able to squeeze that kind of revenue out of it's customers.

That, my friends is the REAL No-Brainer answer Wink

Bingo. Nice to see someone else get it. It isn't just Vonage either. Many companies do this and at least make Selective Call Blocking a premium service. It isn't just for the telemarketers either but also the BILL COLLECTORS. Remember companies like Vonage also usually have their own bill collectors too.

My tip for everyone here is to get a landline phone which allows you to specify that certain numbers do not ring (no ringer) or perhaps a proper selective call blocking feature built in. I have this on mine (with another Voip provider) and it works great. The only issue is that some scumbags fake the CID information to try to get around it.

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 14

After repeatedly asking Vonage for this feature for years with no response, this is the main reason I think I'll be moving to Ooma in the next few months.

Yes, I know about Phonetray, but I want a call block that occurs on the telcom side, befor the call ever reaches my line - not a call block that is dependent on my PC being up and running Phonetray.