[vonjazz]

Am not sure if this is specific to me in Canada, with Rogers, but I am stunned to discover that because I opt not to pay $12 for Caller ID and Voicemail, even those people entered into my Address Book/Contact List on my BB Curve do NOT appear on my screen when they phone. Am I wrong in saying this smacks of financial manipulation?

My argument is simply this: the phone must surely have the software to recognize a number and inform me of the caller's name if entered in my Contact List? I have no problem with Rogers and other network providers blocking the number of someone not on my list - after all that's what people pay the $12 dollar for - to see who is calling. But I object to their somehow interferring with software capability that I have paid for, and provided on my phone. Surely this is the same as Roger's saying, you can only view pictures or listen to music, or take a picture if you pay us?

Showing my wife's name when she calls is NOT something that is costing Rogers extra money - it is a feature provided by the BB Curve - or am I wrong? In fact I would not be surprised to discover that is costs them money to have my wife's name blocked on my screen in their attempt to squeeze another $12 from me.

If my argument is correct, should subscribers not stand up and fight this form of manipulation? If in fact the BB Curve, and other phones need the network to switch on software inside the phone that simply identifies someone already in its memory, then I have to apologise to the networks, but I suspect not.

[aiharkness]

From my experience, Caller ID on a mobile phone shows you the number. If the number is attached to a contact in your address book, the device will display the name; otherwise, just the number. Thus, if you do not have Caller ID, how is the device going to even "know" the number, much less that it is a contact?

Complain about the price, but you have no argument other than that, the way I see it. If you need it, buy it.