The company will use its “huge computing power” to identify rogue numbers, such as those which make large numbers of calls, and add them to a blacklist for diversion to a junk voicemail box. It’s expected that customers will be spared up to 25 million unwanted calls each week as a result of the new service.
In addition to BT’s automated filtering, customers will be able to compile their own personal blacklist of unwanted numbers or nominate entire categories of calls they want to avoid, such as international calls or withheld numbers.
John Petter, chief executive of BT Consumer, said: “Nuisance calls are one of the great annoyances of modern life. Everyone will have received one. We are delighted to have made this major breakthrough.
“We are giving control of the landline back to our customers and removing a major hassle and grief for millions of customers.”
Full details of of the new service will be revealed closer to launch, which is likely to be towards the end of this year, but BT has confirmed it will be available for free to all customers.
Customers can register their interest at www.bt.com/nuisancecalls