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Cannot complete call if phone number includes an extension (Blackberry can)

Most business associates include an email signature that contains their phone number with extension (i.e. 1-800-800-8000 ext 800). On the iPhone, the clickable link is completely unusable because it converts the letters to numerical equivalents and tries to dial everything in one shot. So, if I click the link in the signature the iPhone will attempt to call 18008008000398800 (where the 398 is numerical equivalent of ext). As expected, the call cannot be completed as dialed.

I was a former Blackberry user before moving to the iPhone. As much I wouldn't go back, the way the iPhone treats these phone numbers with extensions is easily my biggest gripe. The iPhone should either;

a) Dial the number only until the call is connected (at which point it would enter the extension). This is how a Blackberry does it.
b) Only make the phone number linkable (that way, I can dial from the link and only have to remember the extension portion which would be entered manually)


Thanks!

P.S. I called my network provider but they indicated it was not a problme they could resolve.

iPhone 3GS, iOS 4

Posted on Dec 14, 2010 10:12 AM

Reply
8 replies

Dec 14, 2010 4:06 PM in response to ryan.small

I am not sure if it is a known problem. That would depend on whether someone else has experienced this and reported it. It certainly would not be anything I would experience. I never call people where I have to dial an extension. It must be an American thing. We just have direct dial numbers for each person.

What happens when you look at your original message in Safari on the iPhone? When I look at it all I see is the 1-800-800-8000 highlighted an nothing extra.

There's no where to configure this on an iPhone. The only way it might be is in that the phone will know that you are in the USA and I am in Australia, but it doesn't go to any finer detail.

Dec 15, 2010 4:26 PM in response to Matthew Smith

In safari (viewing this webpage), only the phone number is linked.

I just can't believe other people have not complained about this problem. Anyone who uses their iPhone for business is certain to receive emails from people that incorporate their contact information, namely phone number and subsequent extension, within their email address.

Jul 14, 2011 8:15 PM in response to ryan.small

You aren't the only one. I'm having the same problem. I used to have a Blackberry as well and like you said it worked perfectly. This is crazy frustrating! I have hundreds of business contacts and a lot of them have extensions (all of which are synced to my Outlook contacts). I tried editing the phone numbers by adding "#" for a hard pause and "*" for soft pause but the number still won't go through...I get an automated message saying the number can't be completed as dialed. I have a feeling this is a problem with how the wireless carrier deals with the numbers. I'm with Telus Mobility in Canada.


I'm sure there's plenty of people out there having the same problem. If anyone has found a solution or had a response from Apple please share with the rest of us!!

Jul 15, 2011 4:32 AM in response to blain2020

It does not appear to be a feature of the iPhone. The solution would be to type the phone number in manually or add the person to your contacts.


You can submit your feedback to Apple requesting this feature. Be advised, however, that they won't respond. However, if enough people request the feature, perhaps they'll add it (based on how few people seem to be responding to this thread, I wouldn't hold my breath, though).


http://www.apple.com/feedback

Cannot complete call if phone number includes an extension (Blackberry can)

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