>> The phones I've had and those of some friends all just show a number
>> for caller ID but not a name. On my home phone these same callers will
>> show with name and number. Is it certain phones, or certain services,
>> or the whole cell/mobile system that drops the name? And why? Caller
>> ID loses most of its value when the name is dropped.
> If you are talking about display of caller ID on a cell phone, the cell
> phone network does not transmit name. If a name is displayed in caller ID
> on a cell phone, that is because you have the name and number in your cell
> phone's phonebook.
That depends on your cell phone. My Rogers GSM Motorola Razr receives both names and numbers on inbound calls.
If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished.