Numbers starting with 0162 are part of a dozen prefixes assigned by ARCEP to identify commercial solicitation calls in metropolitan France. Blocking these 0162 calls requires understanding that the problem is not limited to a single prefix, and that filtering methods vary depending on the channel used: smartphone, internet box, or official reporting.
Telephone solicitation prefixes in France: comparative table
The 0162 is just one entry among a broader list of prefixes dedicated to solicitation. Focusing on just one is like patching a leak while ignoring others. Here are the prefixes identified for metropolitan France:
| Prefix | Area | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0162 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0163 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0270 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0271 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0377 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0378 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0424 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0425 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0568 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0569 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0948 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
| 0949 | Metropolitan France | Commercial solicitation |
This table shows that blocking only the 0162 prefix leaves eleven other doors open. An effective strategy targets all of these ranges, not just an isolated number.
To delve deeper into the methods suited for this specific prefix, it remains relevant to block 0162 calls with Insight Mag before expanding filtering to other ranges.
Blocking on smartphone, app, or box: differences in effectiveness
ARCEP distinguishes three levels of filtering unwanted calls: local blocking on the device, filtering via a third-party app, and blocking at the level of the box or fixed equipment. These three approaches are not equal.
Native blocking on phone
On iPhone, the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature silences the ringtone for any number not in the contacts. On Android (notably Samsung), individual blocking is done number by number. The problem is: the last six digits constantly change on telemarketing platforms. Blocking a specific 0162 number does not prevent the next one from ringing five minutes later.
Filtering apps
The Orange Phone app, free and available on iOS and Android, allows filtering entire prefixes. It identifies spam calls reported by the user community. Other apps (from SFR, Free, or independent downloads) offer similar functions, with regularly updated databases of unwanted numbers.
However, no app blocks calls made from numbers not listed as spam. New numbers slip through the filter as long as they have not been reported by other users.
Filtering via internet box
Some boxes (notably from Orange) allow the creation of blacklists on the landline. This channel is often overlooked even though solicitation also affects landlines linked to internet offers. Effectiveness depends on the model of the box and the options activated by the operator.
- Native blocking is limited to numbers already identified, one by one, without prefix filtering on most devices.
- Filtering apps cover entire ranges but depend on community reports to stay updated.
- Filtering on fixed boxes complements mobile measures but remains underutilized by most subscribers.
Bloctel and reporting to 33700: two complementary tools not to be confused
Bloctel is a list of opposition to telephone solicitation managed by public authorities. Registering prohibits professionals from calling you for commercial solicitation purposes. Registration is free and lasts three years, renewable.
The Ministry of Economy specifies that Bloctel does not protect against spam, scams, or calls made outside the legal framework. Platforms that do not comply with regulations will continue to call, registration or not. Bloctel acts on legal solicitation, not on fraudulent calls.
The 33700 serves a different role. This reporting number, recommended by ARCEP, allows you to report an unwanted SMS or call. Reporting feeds a database used by operators and authorities to identify and sanction abusive callers.
Combining the two yields better results than either one alone. Registering with Bloctel reduces the volume of authorized commercial calls. Reporting to 33700 helps block numbers that slip through the cracks.
0162 calls that hang up immediately: the ping-call technique
Some calls from 0162 numbers last only one or two rings before hanging up. This technique, called ping-call, does not aim to speak to you. The goal is to verify that your number is active.
If you call back, you confirm that the line is in use. Your number then gains value in prospecting files resold between platforms. Not calling back an unknown number in 0162 (or any other solicitation prefix) remains the simplest precaution.
Reporting these calls to 33700 allows operators to identify ping-call campaigns and take action on the affected numbers. On smartphones, marking the number as spam in the call history also enriches the database of filtering apps.
The fight against unwanted calls relies on a combination of actions: filtering via apps, Bloctel registration, reporting to 33700, and vigilance against callbacks from unknown numbers. No single tool eliminates all solicitation, but stacking these protections significantly reduces the number of daily interruptions.