AT&T Introduces New Feature to Identify Business Calls
Customers on AT&T’s network are getting one more tool to help them decide when to pick up the phone: an indication of why a business is calling you, right from the incoming call screen. This feature is a continuation of the branded calling feature that AT&T and TransUnion introduced last year, and only works on Android phones.
How it Works
This feature starts with the business making the call, which can choose to display a message like “refill reminder” or “delivery service.” The message will also show up in the call details page. There’s nothing that the receiver needs to do in order to see the message; it’ll just pop up the way verified number badges do now.
Benefits of the Feature
In theory, it’ll let you know whether your pharmacy is calling to let you know about a refill or if your DoorDash driver is standing outside your apartment building. Sounds pretty nice.
Limitations of the Feature
However, being limited to Android means a lot of AT&T customers in the US won’t see the message since we’re a notoriously iPhone-carrying people. That might not always be the case; James Garvert, senior vice president of TruContact Communications Solutions at TransUnion tells The Verge “we expect that capability to become standard on all mobile devices over time.”
Conclusion
AT&T’s new feature is a step towards making it easier for customers to manage their phone calls. By providing additional information about the business calling, customers can make more informed decisions about whether to answer the call or not. While the feature is currently limited to Android devices, it’s likely that it will become available on other devices in the future.
FAQs
Q: What is the branded calling feature?
A: The branded calling feature is a service that allows businesses to display a message on the caller ID of their customers, indicating the purpose of the call.
Q: What devices is the branded calling feature available on?
A: The branded calling feature is currently available on Android devices.
Q: Will the branded calling feature become available on other devices in the future?
A: According to James Garvert, senior vice president of TruContact Communications Solutions at TransUnion, the company expects that the capability to become standard on all mobile devices over time.
Q: Is the branded calling feature related to Google’s call verification program?
A: No, the branded calling feature is not related to Google’s call verification program, which has since been deprecated.
