11 Digit Dialing

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 20

One thing that several people have asked me, but I don't know a good answer for.... Why do I have to dial 11 digits instead of just 10? I mean, if everybody has to dial 1 for every call, why can't Vonage just automatically stick it at the beginning of the number for every call.

I understand about having to dial the area code. I live in Charlotte, NC and we have to do that anyway, so I can't complain about 10 digits. Having everyone, everywhere dial that leading 1 seems kind of dumb, though.

Posts: 17 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 19, 2004 Posts: 17

good idea, except when dialing 911 or when dialing voicemail with *123.

automatically sticking a 1 in front would be 1*123 causing problems.

same with every other code from fax to annonymous calling features.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 20

That seems like a pretty small (and well known) set of "unusual" numbers which could be programmed for.

*123 is easy, since no legal phone number starts with *.

911 already has special processing attached to it since they have to hit their database to figure out where you are.

I don't see why it can't be done. From a pure marketing standpoint, it ought to be done. "Why do I always have to dial 1?" is usually a question I'm asked when I'm trying to evangelize the service.

Posts: 17 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 19, 2004 Posts: 17

Get the petition started, I'll sign it.

Posts: 61 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 04, 2003 Posts: 61

I'd sign.

If all numbers require a 1, then the ATA should add it !

Dumb to force us to dial the 1.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 20

I assume that the folks inside Vonage who could get this implemented are plugged into the forum. Otherwise, what's the best way to attract their attention?

If they can't implement it, I'd sure like to hear somebody from the technical side come up with a legitimate reason why.

Posts: 426 · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:14 pm Post subject:

If the ATA auto added the "1", how could you call international? International, thru Vonage, required "011" in front of the number.

Posts: 21 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 15, 2004 Posts: 21

The ATA isn't dumb. I'm sure there could be a reasonably small algorithm to handle the few exceptions.

It already knows to start a call when *123 is pressed. It already knows to start a call when 911 is pressed. I don't know why it couldn't be smart enough to add 1 when 10 digits are pressed that don't begin with 011. What does this involve? One extra line of code to check for 011 as the first three digits before the ATA slams 1 in front of the number and starts a session?

Now if you want seven digit dialing, like some still enjoy, that would be a horrendous pile of code using a huge table that would have to be constantly updated.

I think getting rid of the 1 is VERY doable.

Anyone reading this from Vonage? Comments?

Posts: 243 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jan 18, 2004 Posts: 243

I program phone systems and switches for a living and I know that this would be a simple thing to implement.

Posts: 106 · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:57 pm Post subject:

this has been discussed so many times the answer always ends up the same.. why is it that big of a deal. get over it