All About Autodialers, Robocalls and Abandoned Calls

The autodialers, robocalls and abandoned calls are all used with reference to telemarketing methods. Autodialers are also known as automatic calling unit. These are devices that can automatically call numbers in order to connect between two points in a cellular, pager or phone network. As soon as the recipient of the call responds to it, a verbal message is played. In the USA, it is referred to as Robocalls.

You can be overwhelmed by calls from a particular telemarketing company. These are calls that are made with the help of autodialers. An autodialer can dial numerous phones at a time and play a verbal message that has already been recorded. It may also send text messages to the person whose number has been dialed. An autodialer must be equipped with two basic features. It should be configured in such a way so that it can dial a host of numbers in one go and also it should have a proper API or application programming interface in place. Most autodialers make use of computer technology as voice boards have a limited number of ports. For example, if an autodialer has to make 2000 calls simultaneously, then it needs to be connected to a computer group in order offer support for such a large number of phone lines.

The increase in telemarketing activities has prompted the use of new and improved autodialers. The SmartAutodialer is currently in use as it can send personalized messages to the clients and at the same time make a record of their feedback. It is equipped with a speech engine that can convert text to speech and at the same time has been equipped to recognize speech messages over the phone.

There is also the semi automatic dialer that needs to be manually controlled to an extent. All you need to do is to press one key so that the process of dialing the number, playing the audio, recording of the feedback is initiated. It is one of those tools that are frequently used by telemarketing agents. However, autodialers have turned out to be a nightmare for many phone customers as they are constantly bugged by telemarketers. In order to restrict such constant bugging, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 was implemented in order to control the functioning of autodialers.

Robocalls

The term “robocall” simply defined stands as a telephone call made by a robot.  Robocall is used to refer to the pre-recorded computerized messages that are played after you receive a call through autodialers. Robocalls is one of the methods frequently resorted to by telemarketers. In the United States, the political parties also take help of robocalls for campaigning purposes. These calls fall in the list of exemptions made to the United States National Do Not Call Registry. The Federal Communications Commission restricts the overuse of telemarketing methods such as making robocalls to cellular phone numbers. These calls are also regulated by the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Abandoned Calls

The abandoned calls are calls which remain unanswered. These might lead to loss of business for the telemarketing agencies. If you get a call from an unsaved number, it is a possibility that it is from a telemarketing agency. If you call them back, there are chances that they might succeed in locating your residence address and other contact details through the Automatic Number Identification or ANI.