Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Cell Numbers To Be Added To 411

Posted by timothy on from the hidden-consequences dept.

darthC0der writes "Looking for a friend but don't have her phone number with you? For now, you can call directory assistance for her home number, but her wireless digits are off limits from 411. Not for long. The cellular providers are now getting close to making the cellluar numbers available to 411 callers. Here's the link to a CNN article. I don't about you guys but I personally do not want my cellular number to be made available so easily."

6 of 306 comments (clear)

  1. Dunno about the rest of the world... by HeathenWolf · · Score: 5, Informative

    But where I am, this has been do-able for quite some time. It's actually an optional service for which the cellular provider here (yes, that's singular) charges the customer, to the tune of (iirc) $6.95 cdn PER MONTH. I work for a retailer that activates phones for the cell provider in my region, and I can't remember a single instance in which a customer actually wanted this feature.

  2. does anyone even read the article??? by pneuma_66 · · Score: 4, Informative

    It says, on the third paragraph down:

    The centralized database of wireless numbers would be off limits to telemarketers, and consumers would be able to choose whether to have their numbers listed or unlisted, according to people familiar with the process.

    I think the above makes their intentions clear

  3. No Call List by p51d007 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Even if they do, luckly in Missouri, we have a "no call list" law that has TEETH in it. In two years, I've had only ONE telemarketing call, and when I filed a complaint, about 9 months later, I received a letter from the Attorney General of Missouri (form letter) stating the amount they had been fined. Once in a while, they come up with a law that works :)

  4. Re:What's the point? by Ken@WearableTech · · Score: 5, Informative

    You will have Cell Phone Number Portability once the FCC makes them. I think it next comes under review this fall.

  5. Re:Will there be listed in phone books as well. by RodgerDodger · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, try a country with a real telecommunications system.

    Here in Oz, the caller of a cellular gets the phone bill, not the receiver. Telemarketers can call my mobile all they want; in fact, I never give out my home phone number if I can help it.

    --
    "Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
  6. A well known fact you all keep missing: by sirinek · · Score: 4, Informative

    In the United States, it is a FEDERAL CRIME for a telemarketer to call your cell phone. Your number being "listed" does nothing to change that.

    This is a "non-issue", at least with regards to telemarketing....

    siri