Ring out unwanted calls * PTA directs telecom companies to devise system to block obnoxious calls

[LRE]

Ring out unwanted calls

* PTA directs telecom companies to devise system to block obnoxious calls

By Hasan Ali

LAHORE: Cell phones that can block unwanted calls are in high demand. These phones have become popular among subscribers, since they have the liberty to receive calls of their choice.

An official of a telecom company told Daily Times on Friday that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had asked all telecom companies to devise a mechanism that could block unwanted calls.

Inability: The officials said, “It is not possible for us to develop such a system that can block unwanted calls. Users even in developed countries face this problem.”

He said the company had asked its subscribers to register their complaints against the numbers from which they received obnoxious calls. “First, the company warns the caller and then on the second complaint the number is instantly blocked,” he added.

Popularity: Though telecom companies have shown their inability to develop a system to restrict unwanted calls, almost all cell phone manufacturers have installed software in their cell phones that can help subscribers block unwanted calls from any number.

Such cell phones are gaining popularity with an increase in the number of obnoxious calls. “A major reason of the increase in such calls is the easy availability of unregistered SIMs,” a cell phone user said.

Muzamil Khan, a cell phone dealer at Hafeez Centre, said the demand for such mobile phones had increased during the past six months.

“A large variety of such cell phones have been introduced in the market,” he said, adding that their price started from Rs 3,000.

He said that mostly females and youngsters bought those cell phones.

Maham Zaidi, a cell phone user, said she had been receiving obnoxious calls from callers she did not know. “I had had enough of these unwanted calls. Now, I can block these calls with my new cell phone,” she added.

She said that a system should also be developed to block unwanted Short Messaging Services (SMS).

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg13_6