How Do You Block A Phone Number From A Landline |work| May 2026

Three distinct approaches exist, each with decreasing compatibility with true POTS lines.

Barriers and Workarounds: An Analysis of Number Blocking Capabilities on Traditional Landline Telephones how do you block a phone number from a landline

| Method | POTS Compatible | Monthly Cost | Max Blocks | Blocks Anonymous | |----------------|----------------|--------------|------------|------------------| | Carrier *60 | Yes | $2–$5 | 10–25 | No (use *77) | | Hardware device | Yes | $0 | 200–2000 | Varies by model | | Nomorobo | No (needs VoIP) | $0 | Unlimited | Yes (heuristic) | Consequently, the ability to “block a number” is

[Generated AI Assistant] Date: October 2023 This paper examines the technical limitations of legacy

A landline telephone traditionally refers to a phone connected via copper wires (PSTN) or a fixed wireless link. Unlike smartphones, which manage call handling locally in firmware, traditional landlines rely on the carrier’s central office switch. Consequently, the ability to “block a number” is not inherent to the hardware but must be provisioned by the service provider or external devices.

As nuisance calls and robocalls continue to plague telecommunication users, the demand for call blocking has increased. While mobile devices offer native, one-tap blocking, traditional landline phones (Plain Old Telephone Service – POTS) operate on fundamentally different network architecture. This paper examines the technical limitations of legacy landline systems, the conditional methods available for blocking numbers (including vertical service codes and third-party hardware), and the transition to Voice over IP (VoIP) landline alternatives.