Question:
Why can't cell phones display a caller ID name along with the number when home telephones can?
Someone I know recently answered his cell phone only to find out his ex girlfriend who he did not want to speak with was on the other end. He didn't recognize the number because the number she called from was a brand new number. After a short conversation with her he hung up and asked, "Why can't cell phones display caller name information in addition to the caller's phone number when a land line phone can?
Well I could go in to technical detail about how caller ID works and why the names of incoming callers are not displayed on cell phones but are displayed on land line phones but I'll spare you the boredom and try to sum the question up the best that can.
The way that the Caller ID service works is actually only supposed to display the number information. The ability to display name information is known as an extension of Caller ID or in some cases, enhanced Caller ID.
In other words this means that the name that shows up on your caller ID land line is an extra service provided by your telephone provider.
A land line or home telephone displays caller name information as an extra service in addition to the caller id number so that you have the choice of only answering calls from people you want to speak with. This service promotes privacy and is offered by land line providers.
So basically cell phones as well as regular landlines phones
never send the actual caller name over the wire, but only the outgoing telephone
number. It's all up to your local provider company. If you want more information try doing a search for Wireless Directory Assistance to help answer questions of when or if ever there will be names on caller ids cell phones.