BT caller display - caller's number always hidden unless caller has a UK number

NFH

At a time when BT is unreasonably introducing a charge for caller display (unlike the mobile networks), I have discovered that BT never displays the caller's number unless the caller has a UK number. The same applies to any company using BT's infrastructure.

After I noticed this, I did some simple tests. If I make a call from a non-UK SIM card (even if it is roaming in the UK) to a UK mobile number, the caller's number is displayed. Likewise, if I receive a call from a non-UK fixed line on my UK mobile number, the caller's number is displayed. However the same calls made to a BT fixed line cause the caller's number to be hidden.

Given that many nuisance calls (sales calls, "market research" etc) originate from outside the UK, it makes it impossible to distinguish between nuisance calls and genuine non-UK callers. How can BT justify this unreasonable concealment of the caller's number, especially when it is unreasonably levying a surcharge for caller display?

WTFH

Have you any proof (apart from your tests) that this is BT who are doing the "unreasonble concealment"?
Have you any proof that other providers do provide the same numbers every time?

Googling the issue reveals that people complain about BT, TalkTalk, Sky and others. It appears the issue is related to local exchanges, and given that mobile phones don't use local exchanges, that would explain why they don't have an issue.

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Talk-Technical/Caller-Display/td-p/1176864
http://talktalkmembers.com/t5/Home-Phone/International-caller-ID-question/td-p/870418

NFH

You are right. It is BT's local exchanges that are unreasonably concealing the data. Given that the caller's number is not concealed when calling a number that does not use a BT local exchange, it demonstrates that the problem lies with BT.

Quentin

No they aren't concealing or being unreasonable at all.

All their exchanges cannot yet provide the info. But international caller ID is being implemented now, exchange by exchange. It is supposed to be fully implemented by autumn 2014.

NFH

Quentin wrote: »

No they aren't concealing or being unreasonable at all.

Yes, they are. BT launched caller display in November 1994, but after 19 years it has still failed to implement the functionality correctly, unlike the mobile networks which implemented it correctly and without charge only a short time after BT launched it.

Quentin

The mobile networks are separate and don't avail tne bt system.

Why do you persist in saying they are concealing the numbers wben you have been told their exchanges are to blame, but are in the process of being upgraded?

NFH

Quentin wrote: »

Why do you persist in saying they are concealing the numbers wben you have been told their exchanges are to blame, but are in the process of being upgraded?

It is unreasonable of BT to delay for 19 years the correct implementation of the functionality its exchanges, particularly where it charges a premium for the functionality.

Quentin

Well......they never advertised this function, are taking steps to include it, but haven't yet charged extra for it!

And your campaign looks to be redundant, as they are putting this right now.

There are other companies who already seemingly provide this service, so why not use them instead?

NFH

Quentin wrote: »

Well......they never advertised this function, are taking steps to include it, but haven't yet charged extra for it!

They did. They launched it in November 1994 (with a charge) and have been advertising it ever since.

Quentin

They haven't advertised you will get international caller id!

(Which you know was what I meant)

And they haven't as yet said there will be a premium charge to get it when it becomes available at your exchange.

But why have you waited 19 years to launch this campaign? They already announced their intentions to upgrade their exchanges. What more would you like them to do?

NFH

Quentin wrote: »

They haven't advertised you will get international caller id!

They didn't specify that non-UK numbers (or any other type of number) would be hidden.

Quentin wrote: »

But why have you waited 19 years to launch this campaign? They already announced their intentions to upgrade their exchanges. What more would you like them to do?

Because of the recent increased number of nuisance calls from outside the UK, BT's concealment of non-UK numbers makes it difficult to distinguish between genuine calls and nuisance calls. I receive most genuine non-UK calls on my mobile number, so I hadn't previously noticed this deficiency in BT's exchanges.