Are you tired of relentless marketing calls interrupting your day? You’re not alone. Since January 2024, the French telecommunications regulator ARCEP has implemented a new numbering plan specifically for telemarketers. This practical guide shows you how to permanently block these unwanted calls on your Android device by filtering entire number ranges.
How telemarketers are bypassing traditional call-blocking methods
The battle against unwanted commercial calls has become increasingly challenging for smartphone users. Despite government initiatives like Bloctel in France, many telemarketers continue their persistent campaigns, seemingly unaffected by these regulatory measures.
Most Android phones have built-in spam filtering options through native dialer apps like Google Phone. However, these solutions often prove inadequate against sophisticated telemarketing operations. Telemarketers typically possess extensive number ranges and can easily switch to alternative numbers when blocked, rendering individual number blocking ineffective.
The French telecommunications authority, ARCEP, recognized this problem and implemented a revolutionary solution in early 2024. They’ve designated specific number prefixes exclusively for telemarketing purposes, making these calls much easier to identify and block systematically.
Understanding the new telemarketing number prefixes
The new numbering plan introduced by ARCEP in January 2024 requires telemarketers to use specific prefixes depending on geographical locations. For mainland France, all commercial solicitation calls must now originate from numbers beginning with 0162, 0163, 0270, 0271, 0377, 0378, 0424, 0425, 0568, 0569, 0948, and 0949.
French overseas territories have their dedicated prefixes: 09475 for Guadeloupe, St. Martin, and St. Barthélemy; 09476 for French Guiana; 09477 for Martinique; 09478 for Réunion; and 09479 for Mayotte.
This standardization creates a unique opportunity for Android users to block entire ranges of telemarketing numbers rather than playing an endless game of whack-a-mole with individual numbers. You can effectively eliminate most marketing calls by targeting these specific prefixes without blocking legitimate communications.
Prefix Blocker: a powerful solution for Android users
While native Android call-blocking features don’t typically support prefix-based blocking, third-party applications fill this gap effectively. The app “Prefix Blocker” stands out for several reasons: it doesn’t collect personal data, according to the developer’s Play Store declaration, and it doesn’t need to replace your default phone app.
This application functions as the default caller ID and spam app while allowing you to continue using your preferred dialer application. This separation of functions ensures minimal disruption to your normal phone usage while maximizing protection against unwanted calls.
Setting up Prefix Blocker is straightforward. After downloading the app from the Google Play Store, you’ll need to configure it as the default application for caller ID and spam detection. The app requires permissions to access your contacts and manage phone calls—essential functions that allow it to verify if incoming calls are from your address book and thus shouldn’t be blocked.
Creating your customized telemarketing blacklist
The power of Prefix Blocker lies in its ability to target entire ranges of numbers through their prefixes. To set up your blacklist, navigate to the “Blocked” section and select the “Blacklist” tab. From there, you can add each telemarketing prefix individually.
When entering prefixes, you’ll need to use the international format, starting with +33 (for France) and omitting the initial zero. For example, the French telemarketing prefix 0162 should be entered as +33162.
For complete protection against mainland France telemarketers, you would add all twelve designated prefixes to your blacklist. The app will then automatically redirect any calls from these prefixes to your voicemail, effectively silencing telemarketing attempts while maintaining a record of blocked calls in the application’s call log.
This solution provides a remarkable advantage over traditional blocking methods because it addresses the systematic nature of telemarketing operations. Rather than reacting to each unwanted call individually, you’re proactively blocking entire categories of numbers known to be used exclusively for commercial solicitation.
As telemarketing tactics evolve, so too must our defense mechanisms. Prefix-based blocking represents the next generation of call filtering technology, giving Android users unprecedented control over who can reach them by phone. This approach ensures you never miss important calls while effectively eliminating the disruption of unwanted commercial solicitations.
