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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Caller Id Takes Effect Nationwide Phone Giants Also Implement Simple Way To Shield Number

Associated Press

Caller ID, the system that lets people know who’s phoning, is going long distance today. But so is a simple way to shield the calling number.

A code on the telephone touch pad will become important in a compromise that protects privacy when the caller wants it. On the receiving end, people who pay for the service will see area code and number - and, in some places, the name of the caller.

The user who doesn’t want his or her number displayed on the receiving telephone must punch the asterisk button, then 67 before dialing the number on out-of-state calls. Or, if the state permits, the number can be blocked on all calls, then released on a per-call basis with an asterisk and 82.

“This will balance the privacy interests of the callers and the calling party,” said Regina Keeney, chief of the FCC’s Common Carrier Bureau. “You can choose to send or block your number. When you answer the phone you are letting someone in your home. With Caller ID, you know who is there.”

The blocking-unblocking service is free for the caller. But the ability to receive the number will remain an extra charge on the telephone bill. And the instrument to see the number still must be purchased, whether as part of a telephone or separately.

Even as nationwide Caller ID goes into effect, electronics stores are stocking new devices to simplify the blocking-unblocking job. Some will come as part of new telephones.

Until now, Caller ID has been available only on local calls. But the Federal Communications Commission last May decided it should go nationwide on Dec. 1.

Although the national system makes its bow today, some smaller telephone companies have asked for an extension of time because of equipment and other problems.

And California won’t have it for a while because the state utilities commission is imposing public education requirements on telephone companies that none have met to date.