I don’t know whether or not this is a suitable topic for Saynoto0870 but here goes.

I often phone a relative in British Columbia, Canada and recently, I got a message to saying “the number you are calling does not accept calls from unidentified numbers.  To continue, please enter your 10 digit telephone number including your are code followed by pound”  The phone company in question is Telus.

The first time, I tried using the country code but then realised that I had too many numbers.  I emailed Telus and they replied that I should use my UK number without the initial zero or country code.  I also Googled telephone keypads and found that the # key is called the pound key in North America.

I can see one or two possible problems but wonder if here in the UK our phone companies might offer the same service.  This might enable us to stop these annoying calls sales and marketing calls from the Sub Continent and other parts of the world.

What would be the benefit. Anonymous Call Rejection is already available as a paid feature on most networks ,and is built into  call blocking systems. Which means that if they dont display number they want get through. So they spoof the number and get through unless you then specifically block the number.

When I originally made this post, I did it tongue-in-cheek as I detest these “international” sales calls, usually from the sub-continent.  My solution when receiving such a call is to speak French and have yet to find anyone in India conversant in this language.

It’s interesting that Telus has a pseudo solution but there are differences between language and conventions this side of the pond.   We all know that most people over there think that there are no other countries in the world apart from their own!!.  It was not until I heard Telus’s message that I found out that the # key which over here we call the hash or sometimes square key is called pound or number key over there.

I agree with bigjohn that Anonymous Call Rejection is already available on most networks but this may cause problems if, for example, a hospital or doctor is calling you on a very important matter.  The problem is that there is apparently no way to identify these nuisance calls.  Previously, my relative in Canada let the phone go to the answer phone and when I spoke, he would pick up his phone.

The point is that with the telephone there is no password or PIN for callers. Therefore anyone can connect to you by entering your number.