NEED HIGH LEVEL cellular system design engineer developer to answer please.
Harassing, bothersome, invasive, disgusting, time wasting, infuriating and in general garbage cell phone calls! This question is ONLY for an Expert that can tell me if my idea is possible. I would prefer it if I NEVER get ANY cell call if it is impossible for me to return the call. If whoever or whatever is calling me does not care to be identified then do NOT ring my phone. I believe that it is possible technology wise to have the cell provider determine, instantaneously if the number trying to reach me is one that I can or cannot dial back. If I cannot dial it back then do NOT put the call through. Simple. I would pay DOUBLE my cell bill gladly if this were possible. Why isn't this idea being implemented? If POTUS were to get some anonymous or threatening or just plain bothersome phone call I can guarantee that the caller WOULD be identified and the calls would stop. Why can't the average citizen be granted or allowed to opt in to such privacy? There ARE cell company technicians that KNOW if this is possible or impossible. I am looking for someone like this to explain the situation to me. The providers are in the business to MAKE MONEY. Naturally. I am willing to spend MORE money but they seem clueless to want to cure the problem. The "Do not call list" is a total and complete JOKE. I now frequently leave my cell on my desk simply to avoid the hassle of these annoying calls. FIND THE DAMN PEOPLE CAUSING THIS AND PUT THEM BEHIND BARS is my solution number two. Any sincere and NON confrontational advice would be appreciated. I am not a loose canon. I am just a person that has reached my limit of patience and am hoping that technology can solve the problem.
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ASKER
Experts...Thanks for your suggestions. I will explore them and see if any of them will assist. My phone is a new Samsung S9 PLUS. I think it has every android option available. It is not the easiest to figure out how to implement individual features, but well worth my time doing it. I am going to immediately investigate your suggestions. For the sake of speed and the fact that I wish to devote ample time to each suggestion I will close this question for now. I thank you for taking the time to help me.
ASKER
It is difficult to say which Expert has the best answer. I wish there were a way to award equal points since choosing a "BEST" answer is often difficult or impossible.
This question may be closed but it touched on an issue that I occasionally experience so found it interesting.
Need-a-Clue: I don't personally accept the solutions offered. The one below comes close, but lacks one important aspect imo.
David Favor:
If the above could include an automatic message stating "You are calling from a hidden number. Please unblock your number after which you are encouraged to call again and I will happily answer your call". Click - Call Dropped - then that would be ideal.
Wayne88:
The problem with the above is that say you have kids. You don't want unknown numbers to be blocked. It could be the police, a hospital or ambulance service that is calling you to tell you about a problem. Now I'm aware one of these services could be trying to contact me from a blocked number as well, but if an automated voice message advising "why" the call was rejected was provided, then they would know what they need to do in order to get me to take the call.
I personally don't see this as a huge request and it should be easy to do with an app?
Scott:
Great solution, but not ideal/suitable in cases where (like me) you have had the same number for 15 years or more.
Need-a-Clue: I've raised a similar question about the problem (link below) if you would like to monitor.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29111091/Need-an-app-to-block-Private-Numbers-with-a-custom-Voice-message.html#questionAdd
Need-a-Clue: I don't personally accept the solutions offered. The one below comes close, but lacks one important aspect imo.
David Favor:
Another trick, most phones allow you to block both incoming calls + SMS messages unless the caller's number is in your contacts list.
If the above could include an automatic message stating "You are calling from a hidden number. Please unblock your number after which you are encouraged to call again and I will happily answer your call". Click - Call Dropped - then that would be ideal.
Wayne88:
First, I don't know what phone you have but with Android I can opt to only accept calls from known numbers that are in my contact list. If it doesn't recognize the number then they go to the voicemail with no rings.
The problem with the above is that say you have kids. You don't want unknown numbers to be blocked. It could be the police, a hospital or ambulance service that is calling you to tell you about a problem. Now I'm aware one of these services could be trying to contact me from a blocked number as well, but if an automated voice message advising "why" the call was rejected was provided, then they would know what they need to do in order to get me to take the call.
I personally don't see this as a huge request and it should be easy to do with an app?
Scott:
What I have done is switch to using a google voice number. With Google Voice, you have the option to force callers to state their name. This prevents some of the wasted calls. The next line of defense is being able to easily block and mark calls as spam. It's not perfect, but I have been using google voice since it started.
Great solution, but not ideal/suitable in cases where (like me) you have had the same number for 15 years or more.
Need-a-Clue: I've raised a similar question about the problem (link below) if you would like to monitor.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29111091/Need-an-app-to-block-Private-Numbers-with-a-custom-Voice-message.html#questionAdd
ASKER