Call Blocking - Any rumor when it may arrive?

Posts: 448

I couldn't have cared less about call blocking until now. Apparently some moron has given our phone number to a few of his idiot friends. I say idiot friends, because several of them are repeat offenders. I keep telling them it's the wrong number but they keep calling back. This has been going on for several weeks now.

Worst part is the majority of these calls come in after midnight when we're asleep. Another one happened just after 3:30 a.m. this morning. Turning off the ringer at night is not a viable option for us, for several reasons.

Last week I decided to dump Vonage and sign up with AT&T CallVantage for the sole reason they offer Call Blocking, but they are refusing to take new subscribers in areas where they cannot provide Enhanced 911. So I'm stuck with Vonage.

Has anyone heard any rumors when Call Blocking might be available? Earlier this year some folks with insider knowledge were saying "very soon", but we are nearing the end of 2005 and not a hint of call blocking has shown up yet.

Posts: 216 · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 11:28 am Post subject:

I have also heard the "very soon" rumor. Very Happy

At this point though I would say that all of Vonage's resources are probably working VERY hard to get E911 up and running so they can begin adding new subs again.

I would think that once E911 rolls out we may start to see new features like Number Blocking and ACR. But this is all just speculation on my part. Wink

Posts: 2257

rebus wrote:

II say idiot friends, because several of them are repeat offenders. I keep telling them it's the wrong number but they keep calling back. This has been going on for several weeks now.

Tell them that you are tired of them calling you repeatedly, their calls are unwelcome, and the next time their Caller ID number appears on your box, you will file a harassment complaint. Calling you repeatedly in the wee hours of the morning would seem to qualify, but you probably wouldn't have to carry through with that threat.

Either that or take the phone numbers of the worst repeat offenders off the incoming caller ID and sign them up for so many FAX advertising lists and so many phone offers that they can't use their line at all Twisted Evil

(just kidding)

Posts: 249 · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject:

Quote:

the majority of these calls come in after midnight when we're asleep. Another one happened just after 3:30 a.m. this morning. Turning off the ringer at night is not a viable option for us, for several reasons.

Bummer!! Just per chance, do you think that Vonage customer service might help you out if you explain the circumstances? I'd be curious to know.

Posts: 21 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Nov 28, 2005 Posts: 21

Quote:

Just per chance, do you think that Vonage customer service might help you out if you explain the circumstances? I'd be curious to know.

My pleas for ACR over the past two years have fallen on deaf ears at Vonage. Since making the switch from VZ, I have been victim of junk faxes at all hours of the night and day - with no way to stop it other than to change our # (pain in the neck) or change our Voip provider (MAJOR pain in the neck.) No, there's no fax machine connected to our line and there never was one. It wasn't a problem with Verizon because of their ACR.

Just today I pressed the issue again with Vonage, and their customer support shot me back a form letter about all of the great features they've rolled out in the past two years - like wi-fi phones. Confused

I know dissention isn't necessarily welcome on this forum (which I understand and respect is the forum owner's perrogative) but I am hopeful that someone here either at Vonage or whom has pull there can get us an ETA of this feature - it truly is a major competitive disavantage for them.

Best,
Lewis

Posts: 448

lewisr wrote:

I know dissention isn't necessarily welcome on this forum (which I understand and respect is the forum owner's perrogative) but I am hopeful that someone here either at Vonage or whom has pull there can get us an ETA of this feature - it truly is a major competitive disavantage for them.

Exactly true. I'd already started the CallVantage signup process, and got all the way to the screen where they check your physical address for E-911 availability. If Ehnahced 911 is not available at that address, they flat-out will not allow you to enroll. Pffthppt.... so much for that idea.

I was not anxious to pay AT&T's higher price, but it would have been worth it to get Call Block. Anonymous Call Restriction would also be REALLY welcome at this point, since one of the aforementioned idiots always comes through as "anonymous" on caller ID.

Posts: 29 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 29

When faced with a similar problem I found that, no matter what the sex of the caller, If I say in a deep authoritive voice, "Tell me what your wearing" they hang up real quick and never call back! Rolling Eyes

Posts: 21 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Nov 28, 2005 Posts: 21

Chick wrote:

When faced with a similar problem I found that, no matter what the sex of the caller, If I say in a deep authoritive voice, "Tell me what your wearing" they hang up real quick and never call back! Rolling Eyes

LOL. Unfortunately, the "beep. beep. beep." of a fax machine isn't susceptible to the above.

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 1

I also find myself in need of call blocking for the first time. I get 2-3 calls a day from an obviously fake number (12345678923). If I answer it, there is nothing but silence and a hang up. It's making me crazy!

Posts: 119 · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:01 am Post subject: I made the call...

I made a call to Vonage tonight (about 2 mins ago) to find out about what the ETA is for ACR / ACVM...
The first rep I spoke to was in the Phillipines (sales) said that it would be available at 'a later date' and was 'coming soon'
I called back to speak to customer care, and the line just gave me dead air (I am assuming the queue was down)
So I called again, and spoke to a rep from Tech. He said that this was a feature he was looking forward to, and that it should be available early in the new year. He was unable to give me any direct answers, which was expected.

So... it looks like we are going to be waiting for a while...

I guess getting the FCC off their tails over the E-911 agreement is a little more important!