Why do i get strange numbers on my cellphone display, in Europe, when I am called from Philippines ?

Question

Hi. I live in Europe and I regularly talk to a friend in Philippines. He usually rings/appeals me 2-3 times consecutively, but i don't answer it, just call him back after that (its cheaper for me). But almost every time when he calls me, i get on my cell phone screen a different number than his (it looks like numbers from my own GSM network, and every time another number !), and this happens at the first one or two calls. And at the second or third call of him i get on my screen "private number". I almost never get his real number on screen. He is using a Globe prepaid card. Does anyone know why is this happening ? Is it normal ? I expected to get "private number" because its an overseas calling, but not those different numbers right from my network. Thank you very much for any opinion on this matter!

Answer 1

It's perfectly normal. i think it is due to the fact that the number calling you is not recognized by your network since the number coming from the philippines is not theirs. i have a friend calling from America and Saudi Arabia and all that appears in my cellphone is just the word CALL. as long as the caller is from overseas and you do not have the same network, it's normal, so don't worry.

Answer 2

It is simply due to the different areas and satellite coding, it is a complex system currently due to all the border restrictions on Phone calls. South East asia is not as well connected as Europe is within its self.

Hopefully as technology advances, little confusions like this will stop happening.