Can't block caller ID in Massachusetts?

[Roy M. Silvernail]

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In list.cypherpunks, ericm at lne.com writes:

> When I called the Pac Bell customer service droids to get my "complete"
> blocking I asked them why they won't block CID to 800 numbers.
> Their answer: "that's just the way it works". 

A little simplistic, perhaps, but nevertheless accurate.  800 and 900
numbers do not receive CNID (Calling Number ID).  They receive ANI
(Automatic Number Identification).  In the case of 800 (or 888) numbers,
they're paying for the call.  For 900's, you're paying a premium charge.
In both cases, the calling number is delivered for billing purposes.
This isn't new... ANI has been around for years.

> Caller ID isn't for people, it's for businesses who want to
> track callers.

Speak for yourself.  I have CNID, and I find it to be damn useful in
deciding which calls go to voicemail.
- -- 
           Roy M. Silvernail     [ ]      roy at scytale.com
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