news views and analysis

From August 16th, cell phone numbers all over the US are being added to the Directory Service Database. What this effectively means is that one could dial 411 and get your telephone number by providing your name. That in essence is not such a bad idea. For example, I currently do not have a land line. Gave it up two years ago. My cellphone is my only contact. But recently a friend was in town and could not get my telephone number from directory inquiry because I was not listed. Well now she will.

But in all this the bigger problem is that these same telephone numbers are now available to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS…unlike India, incoming calls during regular (peak) times are not free.

There is a national DO NOT CALL registry and signing up there will take you off the telemarketers radar. Thank God for that !!