I was asked recently what would cause this automated service message when dialling a phone number
“The number you have called is not presently in active service”
This message should not be confused with very similar messages, such as “The number you have called is not in service” or “The number you have dialled cannot presently accept calls”. These similar messages relate to faults on the line or faults with the service provider, but are not applicable to “The number you have called is not presently in active service.”
The specific message “The number you have called is not presently in active service” is typically applied at the network level due to billing issues which have led to a service restriction.
In this case, the billing provider has been required to inform the carrier to restrict the number or service for the end user so as to prevent further chargeable traffic on the line. This is why the message “The number you have called is not presently in active service.” is phrased the way it is. It’s a network level block rather than a billing provider restriction that prevents the entire service being used, but without terminating the service. That specific distinction will nearly always have a billing route cause, such as overdue bills / bad debt. The provider/s have been forced to stop more debt building up by stopping usage of the service, but are presently keeping it live should the end user settle the account
Either way “The number you have called is not presently in active service” is a temporary message as either the end user will settle any debts, or if not, eventually the billing provider and or the carrier will be forced to terminate that service, implying the account was not settled
At that point the message would change from “The number you have called is not presently in active service.” to “The number you have called is no longer in active service” which denotes a final status of the number account
Keyword: “The number you have called is not presently in active service”