Caller Identity - knowing who is calling you
Caller Identity shows the number of the phone calling you on the display of your handset. British Telecom calls it Caller Display, but the technical terms are slightly more complicated:
Calling Line Identity Presentation (CLIP) allows the called party to choose whether to see the number of the caller.
Calling Line Identity Restriction (CLIR) allows the caller to choose whether to pass their number to the called party.
Calling Original Line Presentation (COLP) allows the called party to choose whether to see the real number of the caller, even if another number is presented.
Calling Original Line Restriction (COLR) allows the caller to choose whether to pass their real number to the called party.
In reality, you probably don't have control over all these settings, but you can choose whether or not to release your number by using GSM codes.
Caller ID GSM Codes
Outgoing CLI Release |
Incoming CLI Presentation |
You can control release of Caller ID from a BT fixed phone. To withhold the number, prefix the number dialled with 141. To release the number (when withheld by default) prefix the number dialled with 1470.
Caller ID on the display
In general, the number of a caller is shown on the screen of a mobile phone. If the caller's number matches an entry in the phonebook, the associated name in the phonebook is displayed instead. Normally, only the last six digits of the number are matched, and if is more than one number that matches, or the same number is stored twice, the phone will only display the number to avoid any confusion.
Some models of phone allow you to allocate numbers in the phonebook to a "Caller Group". Each caller group can be assigned different settings, so that a particular logo is shown on the screen when a group member rings, or a particular ring tone is used for their calls.
Withheld numbers
Most mobile phones tell you if the number has been withheld: usually by saying "Anonymous" or "Private Number" on the display.
Network-specific
On some networks, you can use the standard 141 prefix to withhold your number for an individual call. On Cellnet, 1471 works like the BT fixed line version, telling you the time date and number of your last incoming call. On Vodafone *#147#[Send] gives you this information by SMS. Orange and One2one do not appear to offer such a service.
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