Automatic call

An automatic dialer (auto dialer, auto-dialer, autodialler) is an electronic device or software that automatically dials telephone numbers. Once the call has been answered, the autodialer either plays a recorded message or connects the call to a live person.

When an autodialer plays a pre-recorded message, it is often called voice broadcasting, or robocalling. Some voice broadcasting messages ask the person who answers to press a button on their phone keypad, such as in opinion polls in which recipients are asked to press one digit if they support one side of an issue, or another digit if they support the other side. This type of call is often called outbound interactive voice response.

When an autodialer connects an answered call to a live agent, it is often called a predictive dialer or power dialer. A predictive dialer uses realtime analysis to determine the optimal time to dial more numbers, whereas a power dialer simply dials a pre-set number of lines when an agent finishes the previous call.

An important technology for autodialers is the ability to distinguish live human pick-ups from answering machines. Since there is no indication hardware signal when a call is answered by an answering machine or voice-mail system, autodialer systems have to analyze incoming audio for a prediction. Currently, no algorithms exist that can achieve 100% accuracy.

Inherent in the need to dial many prospects/users/consumers/clients (or whomever) is the need to maintain compliance with the laws for a business or call center or anyone in the US using an autodialer. The ability to maintain records, demonstrate drop call percentages on campaigns and avoid calling numbers listed in any federal, state, or company 'Do Not Call' lists is essential for continued legal use of any autodialer. Certain organizations are exempt from certain compliance laws, but the bulk of autodialers are built for the bulk of users who are required to comply, and in many cases must be able to demonstrate their compliance upon demand of a regulatory entity.

Of course many devices are being used illegitimately all over the world. There are some companies and individuals however who use them to commit fraud and perpetrate scams on unwitting recipients, often the elderly, or those unaware of their rights. In this event the existence of government 'Do Not Call' registers or lists has little effect on their operations. In order to try and control what is a growing business, organizations have attempted to create codes of practice for those operating in their industry which may make use of auto dialers.

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Wikipedia