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Caller ID Services

Calling Number Delivery and Calling Name Delivery
Blocking Delivery of Your Number
Examples of Caller ID Messages
Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR)

Calling Number Delivery and Calling Name Delivery | Back to Top

Caller ID is an optional service that lets the subscriber know who is calling even before picking up the phone. Caller ID allows you to see the date, time, and phone number (Calling Number Delivery) of most direct-dialed local calls and some long-distance calls on a special display unit. A display unit is required, which stores the number and name, as well as the date and time of the call. That way if you're not home, or just don't want to answer the phone, the stored numbers will permit you to return calls. This also works with answering machines or voice messaging systems...even if the caller doesn't leave a message. These units are available from various retail vendors. Each time you make a phone call, your name and number will be automatically sent to the Caller ID subscribers in your area unless you choose to block that information.

Blocking Delivery of Your Number | Back to Top

If you should ever want to "block" or prevent sending your number and name to Caller ID subscribers, you need only dial *67 (on a Touch-tone phone) or 1167 (on a rotary phone) before dialing the telephone number. Then you will hear a "stutter" tone which tells you "per-call" blocking is working. Calls blocked on a per-call basis will be displayed on the Caller ID display unit as "anonymous" or "private." Per-call blocking is free of charge and is automatically available on everyone's line wherever Caller ID is available. There is no need to subscribe to Caller ID to have per-call blocking. It is important to keep in mind that even if you have a non-published or non-listed number, your number will be passed along unless you choose to block on a per-call or per-line basis. We believe per-call blocking will provide you with flexibility in those situations when you do not want to have your telephone number or name delivered to Caller ID subscribers.

However, if you have a compelling need to have per-line blocking, meaning you want to always have your number and name blocked, you can have per-line blocking at no charge by mailing a written request to per-line blocking. The request must include (1) your name, address and telephone number (as shown on your bill), (2) your signature, and (3) the following statement: "I have a compelling need for per-line blocking." Then mail the request to: Big Bend Telephone Company, 808 N. 5th St., Alpine, Texas 79830. You need not explain your compelling need because all requests are AUTOMATICALLY granted. Or, you may obtain per-line blocking by simply completing the reply card which will be sent to you before the service is offered and dropping it in the mail. If at any time you want to cancel per-line blocking, and reinstate per-call blocking, just call the Big Bend Telephone Company business office. Per-line blocking automatically blocks a customer's number on most calls without the need to dial *67 or 1167. Calls placed from a line that subscribes to per-line blocking will be displayed on the Caller ID display unit as "anonymous" or private."

Customers who subscribe to per-line blocking can un-block their name and/or number on a call-by-call basis. You can turn off per-line blocking on a specific call by dialing *82 (on a touch-tone phone) or 1182 (on a rotary phone) before dialing the phone number. This feature turns off per-line blocking for only the call placed after *82 or 1182 is dialed, and will result in your name and/or number being received by subscribers of Caller ID. Once the call is ended, per-line blocking will be restored. If you select per-line blocking, then calls to ACR customers (see the following page) will not be completed. If you must reach that customer, you may do so by dialing *82 or 1182, calling from a pay phone or cellular phone, making a credit card or operator- assisted call, or asking someone who does not have per-line blocking to place the call for you.

*Caller ID is not available in all areas.

Examples of Caller ID Messages | Back to Top

Currently there are some calls that Caller ID won't identify. These include cellular calls, some long-distance calls, operator-assisted calls, and calls originating in areas where Caller ID is not available. For these calls, the Caller ID display unit will display the message "out of area." Even though you won't have the number, you will still have information about the call, such as the date and time. Below are examples of what will likely be displayed, depending on the type of calls received.

Type of Call Name Number Date Time
Local Calls (1) Doe Jane 432-444-555 10/17 9:31 pm
Long Distance by BBTC (1) Jones, Tom 432-444-6666 10/22 9:14 pm
Pay Phone Pay Phone 432-444-7777 11/20 8:31 am
Long Distance by Others Out of Area/Unavailable (2)   10/22 9:53 pm
Operator Assisted Credit Card, Cellular     11/25 3:00 pm
Per Call Blocked (*67) Private or Anonymous   11/25 3:06 pm
Per-Line Blocking Private or Anonymous   11/25 3:18 pm

(1) Only where technically available.
(2) Unless the long-distance company provides the calling telephone to Big Bend Telephone Company.


Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR) | Back to Top

Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR) is a Caller ID Service that allows a subscriber to automatically reject all calls that have been marked anonymous, or blocked. It is not necessary to subscribe to Calling Number Delivery or Calling Name Delivery to subscribe to ACR, nor is a display unit necessary. With ACR, the telephone will not ring if the person calling you has blocked his or her number through per-call or per-line blocking. The call will receive a message that the party he or she is trying to reach is not accepting calls from a blocked number. The caller will be instructed to redial without blocking the number or be asked to call the operator for assistance in completing the call. (An operator-handling charge will apply). ACR service also allows you the flexibility to turn on or off your ACR service by dialing a code, which will be provided upon subscription to ACR. It is important to remember that both per-call and per-line blocking will not block your billing telephone number to Emergency 9-1-1, nor will it currently prevent your number from being transmitted on 700- 800, 888 or 900 calls. Also, calls made from a pay phone cannot be blocked. Not all services are available in all areas.