I want anonymous call blocking

Posts: 163 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Call rejection

rebus wrote:

[...] Intel came out of left field and ate IBM's shorts for lunch.

For all of 2004, Intel's revenue was $34.2 billion whereas IBM full-year revenues was $96.5 billion. It appears IBM hasn’t been completely chewed after all. Besides… IBM and Intel compete in somewhat different market segments so both can do very well on their own.

When price differences diminish, only product differentiators such as quality, feature and customer satisfaction really matter. The point I wanted to make is that, although Vonage was first to market and may have more customers than anybody else right now, this does not grant them ultimate authority on this technology. Don’t get me wrong, I’d really like “the little one” to succeed but their arrogance is irritating.

Their hegemony can be short lived, especially if they continue to ignore a simple feature (call filtering) that EVERYBODY ELSE offer.

Posts: 176 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Call rejection

rebus wrote:

DigitalVoice wrote:

You have more customers because you were first to market. With bigger players like AT&T and Verizon coming in the game your customer base (us) will gradually erode to a point where you become insignificant.

Don't know if I'd go that far. Voip isn't offering anything standard POTS doesn't already have. With both, you can make local and long distance calls, get features like call waiting, caller ID, forwarding... the list goes on.

So with features available either way, and POTS generally being more reliable, what is the appeal of Voip? One-word answer: price. Voip beats the crap out of the telcos by offering everything but the kitchen sink for one low, fixed monthly price. If price was no object, there would be few reasons to ever leave the more reliable POTS service.

And it would seem the big boys have taken notice. Today I received a letter from Verizon wanting me back, and in it they provide info on how their new unlimited plan has dropped $10/mo. Of course that $10 would be filled with taxes and fees, but they went from $54.95 to $44.95 for unlimited freedom. If they dumped another $15 I would start to think long and hard. POTS is without a doubt more reliable. And they have a service department that comes out and repairs. This was a big problem in my friend not converting over his business lines.

Posts: 448 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Call rejection

DigitalVoice wrote:

For all of 2004, Intel's revenue was $34.2 billion whereas IBM full-year revenues was $96.5 billion. It appears IBM hasn’t been completely chewed after all.

I was referring specifically to the microprocessor business. It was the Intel 386 competing with Big Blue's 386 that transformed Intel from a small "also-ran" into a formidable mainstream competitor. Now they dominate the desktop and much of the server market. These days, IBM buys their CPUs from Intel. That was my point.

DigitalVoice wrote:

When price differences diminish, only product differentiators such as quality, feature and customer satisfaction really matter.

I agree, much of it will come down to reputation, which is in part built from price, features, word of mouth, and let's not forget the all-important brand recognition. Ask 100 people to name the "best" brand of something and the results will favor the company with the most visible advertising presence, whose brand name is the most familiar. Vonage has the momentum now and if they maintain or even accelerate their advertising, they could position themselves as the company everyone hears their friends talking about. Or they could blow it.

DigitalVoice wrote:

Don’t get me wrong, I’d really like “the little one” to succeed but their arrogance is irritating.

I believe it probably has less to do with arrogance, and more to do with being overwhelmed by growth. I found an article from early 2004 where Jeff Citron discussed what he considered the best case growth scenario. I can't remember the numbers, but the results at year-end '04 were far beyond his best predictions, so they were clearly unprepared for the sheer volume of new signups.

DigitalVoice wrote:

Their hegemony can be short lived, especially if they continue to ignore a simple feature (call filtering) that EVERYBODY ELSE offer.

We'll agree to disagree. I don't think lack of a feature will de-throne them, when their product includes just about everything someone could want.

Posts: 163 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Call rejection

rebus wrote:

We'll agree to disagree. I don't think lack of a feature will de-throne them, when their product includes just about everything someone could want.

Again, not providing call blocking/filtering is inexplicable. Many people have asked for it. It isn't far fetched nor unreasonable. The fact that Vonage can't (or won't) offer call blocking makes no sense whatsoever.

Posts: 170 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 05, 2004 Posts: 170

I agree that call blocking and anonymous call rejection are much needed features. Better yet, instead of ACR, offer something like Verizon's call intercept that will force anonymous and 'out of area' callers to identify themselves for the call to go through.

I chose Vonage because I trust that their service and quality is better than others, because they have been doing this a little longer than some of the newer providers. I also know of other people who have Vonage and are satisfied with it.

I don't get too many anonymous calls anymore. Maybe it's because of the new laws preventing telemarketers from blocking their number and/or maybe it's because I had call intercept on this phone number for so long that not too many people bother trying anymore. I do get some 'out of area' calls though, and would prefer to be able to block those.

Maaz

Posts: 163 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:01 pm Post subject: Call blocking feature

Maaz wrote:

I don't get too many anonymous calls anymore. Maybe it's because of the new laws preventing telemarketers from blocking their number
Maaz

Speaking of this law: Telemarketers risk a fine of up to $11,000 for each number they call on the list. But so far, the FTC has brought only one action, against a credit card company.

I'm with you on this one, call blocking is a much needed feature.

Posts: 2251 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: Call blocking feature

DigitalVoice wrote:

Maaz wrote:

I don't get too many anonymous calls anymore. Maybe it's because of the new laws preventing telemarketers from blocking their number
Maaz

Speaking of this law: Telemarketers risk a fine of up to $11,000 for each number they call on the list. But so far, the FTC has brought only one action, against a credit card company.

I'm with you on this one, call blocking is a much needed feature.

The issue I have with that law is, it does not prevent a company that you currently do business with from calling you. I have a CitiBank account and CitiBank calls me (from different departments) 2-4 times a week. Sad

Posts: 163 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: Call blocking feature

dconnor wrote:

The issue I have with that law is, it does not prevent a company that you currently do business with from calling you. I have a CitiBank account and CitiBank calls me (from different departments) 2-4 times a week. Sad

Same thing with me. I am asked to give blood 3-4 times/week, subscribe to tons of magazines, try new credit cards etc.

Even if we are off topic here, let's just say that the "Do not call" law is as effective as the "Do not spam" law. They both suck because you, as an individual, can't sue the bastards.

Ok, together now: I want my call blocking!

Posts: 176 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject:

Don't you tell them to put you on their DNC list? If they continue after you do that then report them to the FTC, they have to respect your wishes if you verbalize it. That is how I got Comcast to stop calling. They called again and I reported them to NJs "Do Not Call" Consumer On-line Complaint Form and they never called again. They provide me Broadband, I have DirecTV. Comcast would love to get me to use their TV service, but I squashed their telemarketing.

Posts: 163 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

SuperDave wrote:

Don't you tell them to put you on their DNC list?

Taken from the law: Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will NOT stop all telemarketing calls. Because of limitations in the jurisdiction of the FTC and FCC, calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship…

Loop holes, loop holes.