BT Offer New Solution to Nuisance Calls

BT have announced a new solution to nuisance calls, which will see rogue numbers being automatically diverted to a junk voicebox.

The new service will be launched later this year, with plans to monitor the calls of around 10 million domestic customers and divert up to 25 million unwanted calls a week. BT customers will also be able to divert calls to the “Blacklist” themselves.

The service is expected to have a positive impact on the levels of nuisance calls, as most nuisance callers do give up after receiving no response from an individual. If this response is soon to be multiplied by 10 million, it is logical to assume that there will be less motive for these nuisance callers to continue their rogue activity.

However, this widespread blocking of certain numbers also raises a number of concerns, including “how exactly will BT determine who can and can’t call you?” For example, will their own sales team be on a safe list while their competitors are placed on a “blacklist”?

Questions are also being raised as to whether expecting the general public to pay a private company for protection from those breaking the law is the best way to handle the situation in the long run.

“Anything that has potential to improve the situation for even a handful of people who receive nuisance calls should be seen as a good thing,” said David Hickson of The Fair Telecoms Campaign. “However, it is important to recognise that this is only part of the solution to a much wider problem.”

An alternative to the proposed service is a call screening system – which is currently available in the form of the BT8500 Advanced Call Blocker.

When programmed, such systems only let calls through from recognised friends and family, while allowing you to screen other calls. You can also set a different ringtone for recognised numbers, so you can decide whether or not to leave the sofa.

For more information about protecting yourself from nuisance callers, see our article The Best Way to Stop Nuisance Calls