02-11-2004, 07:03 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Lack of Intelligent Area Code Dialling: Someone Explain This
I don't know all that much about the inner workings of mobile phone networks, so the following criticism might be baseless. I'm open to learning more about this though, so feel free to correct me.
If I could pick one network-related pet peeve, it would be this: why is it that when I'm in a different area code, phones aren't smart enough to recognize that and adjust themselves accordingly? With Pocket PCs, you can set the home area code - I'm having a hard time finding that setting on the Smartphone (it's not in the same place), but regardless, phones know when they're roaming outside their home network, right?
Isn't there a way for the network to say "Your home area code is 403, but you're now in the 780 area code" and then have the software dialler automatically parse in the proper dialling string for that area code? Is this a limitation of the networks, the software, or both? I've never had a phone that has done this properly, and it's a constant frustration for me, because I always do the same thing: open up the contact list, press call, then listen to the operator tell me I'm making a phone call that is long distance (and it's even more confusing when the operator is speaking to me in a language I don't understand). Then I have to memorize the phone number and add a 1-780 (or whatever) in front of it.
Am I missing an easy fix for this? How do you deal with this issue?
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02-11-2004, 07:13 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,981
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Re: Lack of Intelligent Area Code Dialling: Someone Explain
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
Am I missing an easy fix for this? How do you deal with this issue?
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Personally, I yell, scream, and curse. But that's just me. :wink:
I have often thought the same thing. There has to be a better way for this to work. The problem I see with having it automatically detect the home area code is that some places have multiple area codes which are all rated as local calls. I can dial 416, 905, 647, or 289. All of which are local calls. The software must be able to remember what is local to you. However, that's the only 'catch' I can see. This would make a great app for anyone with some free time on their hands.
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"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious" - Albert Einstein |
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02-11-2004, 07:22 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 974
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interesting - I've never really had that problem - are you saying that you cannot connect to a local number when the phone dials the number and area code for a number?
I live in a 262 area code, work in a 414 (they are both local) and have several numbers stored in my phone - granted it's not a smartphone yet (waiting for the motorola...) but I've never had an issue with the phone dialing a 262 number using the complete 10 digit number...
I'm a T-Mobile users
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02-11-2004, 07:27 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 79
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I also am not yet a SmartPhone owner, but what I do is enter the 10 digit number into my phone for all phone numbers. Everything works fine - no 1 needed before number, local or long distance. I have free long distance on my plan (Verizon) so I don't care if a local number is being dialed LD or not.
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02-11-2004, 08:05 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 193
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by jim s
I also am not yet a SmartPhone owner, but what I do is enter the 10 digit number into my phone for all phone numbers. Everything works fine - no 1 needed before number, local or long distance. I have free long distance on my plan (Verizon) so I don't care if a local number is being dialed LD or not.
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Bingo. I was just about to say the same thing.
That's rule with cell phones in North America - 10 digits. (Or add the country code if you have a world phone and want to use your phone book overseas.)
Of course, I don't have a choice. Like many U.S. cities now, Philly has had overlaid area codes for a few years. 215, 267, and 445 are all overlapping area codes for my area, so there's simply no such thing as 7-digit dialing here.
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02-11-2004, 08:14 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 193
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Re: Lack of Intelligent Area Code Dialling: Someone Explain
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
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Am I missing an easy fix for this? How do you deal with this issue?
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I guess you still have 7-digit phone numbers in your area. In many parts of the U.S., 7-digit phone numbers don't exist any more - 10 digits are required. It will be that way across North America before long. You might as well start dialing 10 digits now - you shouldn't be charged long distance if it's a local number.
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02-11-2004, 08:18 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1
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Always dial 10 digits on mobile phones. They are "smart" enough to know when you are in your own local calling territory (which is different than you land line territory) and you will not be charged for long distance calls.
I actually wish land lines were as smart as the mobile networks....
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02-11-2004, 08:27 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 312
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Hm, don't get the question but maybe it's a North American related topic?
The regular GSM way to use phone number/store phone numbers is:
+CC_NC_PN = +Country Code_Network Code_Phone Number
This means for instance I store the number of my girlfriend like the following:
+498912345678 : +49 = Germany, 89 = Munich, 12345678 = her number
Now it doesn't matter if I'm myself in 89 (Munich) area or not, the GSM network always dials the proper number AND knows that I'm in Munich (to charge me for a local call) or anywhere in Germany (to charge me for a long distance call) or abroad (to charge me an international roaming call).
At least that's how it is specified in the GSM specifications so there is no reason for the network to update your location.
But again, maybe I missed a North American specific topic here which wouldn't GSM conform than anyway.
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Cheers ~ Arne, MS MVP - Mobile Devices
Editor in Chief the::unwired - where mobility meets wireless
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02-11-2004, 08:31 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,981
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Entering a 10 digit number isn't the problem.
If I have 416 555 1212 in my address book and I am located in 519. When I try and call the number I get a recorded message that says the number is long distance. Please add 1 and try your call again.
If I have 1 416 555 1212 in my address book, and I am in the 416 area code then it tells me that the number is not long distance, remove the 1 and try again.
Overlay area codes just make the problem more confusing, because now some numbers are local and work, while others are still long distance.
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"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious" - Albert Einstein |
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02-11-2004, 08:33 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,981
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Arne Hess
At least that's how it is specified in the GSM specifications so there is no reason for the network to update your location.
But again, maybe I missed a North American specific topic here which wouldn't GSM conform than anyway.
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Interesting. That's not how it works for me. If I have 1 before a local call it fails. If I don't have the 1 before a long distance call, it also fails. :?
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"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious" - Albert Einstein |
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