As I reported last week, TELUS blocked every phone call I tried to make to Cuba with a recorded message, "The number you are calling is within a number range that has been blocked for security reasons." Next I was told by a Telus operator: "We can't do anything about this because the calls are being blocked from the Cuban end." However, a woman from Halifax who saw my post said she had got the same message from her server (Bell) and Bell unblocked the number she was trying to reach in Cuba "within minutes." Meanwhile, I had found that I could call those same numbers with my cell, which has a different server. So I pursued the issue with Telus and got a different answer: The calls are being blocked in Cuba due to spam or robo calls or something of that nature. I pointed out that Bell's ability to unblock, plus my ability to put a call through on another server, indicated that the block was at the Telus end. That got me a new response from Telus. Yes, Telus was blocking the calls, and"it has to do with fraudulent activity being conducted in A specific range of numbers from the Cuban side. Because these (Rosa's) numbers fall into that range they are automatically blocked." Telus said if I sent them the individual numbers I had tried to call, they would unblock them. I did and they did. The numbers I couldn't get through to were in Havana, Vinales, Baracoa, and Holguin, which leaves the impression that the "specific area" is Cuba. My MP is still on it, trying to get answers to what "specific area" Telus (and Bell) is blocking, which appears to be all of Cuba. And also what "fraudulent activity" is being conducted from, apparently, all over the island.
Si, Juanabbotsford. Es Canada.
And you're right, Greslogo. In fairness to the Telus operator I first spoke with, and to the Telus manager for my region of BC, the answers they first gave me were ones they were given by higher-ups. The regional manager said she would try to get clearer answers to the why and where of the blockage from Telus security, and my MP says he will take it up with the CRTC (telecommunications regulatory agency). I will post a follow-up when I learn more, as this has the potential to affect a great many people in Canada wishing to call Cuba--and not all of them have the time to stay on the phone on hold, for an hour or more waiting for a Telus person--or know enough about Cuba to be skeptical when told that the block is at the Cuban end. Or have an MP as concerned about the problem as mine.
Ttjpdo-
Meant to respond last week. Exact same thing several months ago on Telus Mobility from Vancouver. After a week of perseverance, and email banter,they unblock 1 number at a time. Again, mostly movil #s from all corners of the Island. Still having same problem, until I request Telus to unblock each and every number individually. Never got an answer better than you did.
Bafflegab !
Bafflegab indeed, Cyclista. Yesterday Telus sent an e-mail saying that it had unblocked four specific numbers I had requested. But when I tried them today, I found them still blocked. Apart from the obvious, which is that the right tentacle of Telus dosn't know what the left tentacle is doing, there's the probable illegality of it blocking calls to Cuba in the first place, and the definitely unethical practice of a recording claiming that it is being done "for security reasons." Whose security would that be? Yours? Mine? Cuba's? Ha! And further, for them their employees to be under the impression--and to pass on to clients--that the blockage is coming from the Cuba end. I hope I'm not the only one to bring this up with my MP, who in turn can bring it up with the CRTC.
Ah, the message was in English. A Spanish accent ? If not, then it is Telus that is doing the blocking. Why, never heard of this. I have heard of cubacel blocking foreign numbers but those were easy to straighten out from the accounts that i have heard about.
Maybe tell them you're a shareholder ? Might help, a bit...lol
Thanks for the update.
It is when I get a recorded message in what sounds like Chinese, I suspect that something has gone wrong.
That too is rampant this month. Recorded message in Mandarin with instructions to call Chinese Embassy. But that is not the number they leave. Has been linked to extortions and fraud targeting (among others),Chinese International students here.
Spoofs a phone number in Vancouver, whose surprised ,rightful owner has had many angry callers and no help form you know who.
Thanks Telus
trusted partner
