Predictive dialer

Definition
A predictive dialer is

{{Quote|a dialing system that automatically dials consumers' telephone numbers in a manner that "predicts" the time when a consumer will answer the phone and a telemarketer will be available to take the call. Telemarketers use such software programs to minimize the amount of downtime for a salesperson. In some instances, however, no telemarketer is free to take a call that has been placed by a predictive dialer, and the consumer answers the phone only to hear "dead air" or a dial tone, causing frustration.