Call Screening – More Than Just Caller ID Capabilities

With a call screening feature, the called party is not only able to identify the caller but also can easily decide on whether to answer, reject or forward a call. It is a helpful telephone feature that gives the user the ability to prepare and control an inbound call. But this feature is not just all about the process of identifying and evaluating a call. In fact, it can perform other functions like the following:

• Call Blocking – to ensure the reception of all the important calls, this function allows  straightforward blocking of specific callers based on their caller IDs.
  

• Caller ID – not only does it displays the caller information such as name or number but this function enable an automated attendant to prompt the caller to announce their name which is then transmitted to the called party's audio device.

• Caller Lists – a configurable listing of callers that are to be blocked or allowed in accessing the phone line.

• Text to Audio Reply – enables the called party to type and send a text message, as a computer generated voice, to the caller.

Various VoIP services are also equipped with a similar VoIP call screening feature. This is usually incorporated in a software that is running on a PC, which allows incoming calls or voicemails to be played over the speaker. While the call is being played the software also presents the user with options for answering, rejecting or redirecting the call to another destination. A hosted VoIP feature such as this VoIP call screening service gives the user a feeling of owning a home answering machine.

Let Us Talk About Call Screening and Blocking

Unwanted phone calls are one of the problems that are encountered by many telephone owners.  Not only does it cause inconvenience. Privacy intrusion can also be a big threat to both business operation and private family time. Fortunately, there are solutions in putting an end to these unwelcome calls.

Call screening is a telephone feature that processes a call for evaluation so that the called party can decide on how to answer it. Some assessment that a user can perform are: listening to a recorded message stored on a voicemail or answering machine; or checking the caller ID, date and time. Some home users can take advantage of a call screen option, provided to them by the phone company, by configuring their telephone to route a call to a recording which informs the caller that the call will not be entertained. Other systems use a call controller to screen a call by providing the user with options to either: answer, reject or forward a call.

A rather straightforward manner in dealing with intrusive call is by using the call blocking feature. It is activated by specifying a number to block into the system. When that number called, the phone simply does not ring.

In the US, another option an owner can use is by registering to the National Do Not Call Registry. This prevents most but not all unsolicited calls from telemarketers. Unfortunately, it is also only applicable to residential lines.

Call Screening and blocking are two of the telephony features that can assist both business and home users in avoiding a stressful privacy invasion. Other phone systems for business may offer other options in dealing with unwanted calls to make sure that important calls are always received.