Cannot complete call if phone number includes an extension Blackberry can iPhone

Most business associates include an email signature that contains their phone number with extension (i.e. 1-800-800-8000 ext 800). On the iPhone, the clickable link is completely unusable because it converts the letters to numerical equivalents and tries to dial everything in one shot. So, if I click the link in the signature the iPhone will attempt to call 18008008000398800 (where the 398 is numerical equivalent of ext). As expected, the call cannot be completed as dialed.
I was a former Blackberry user before moving to the iPhone. As much I wouldnt go back, the way the iPhone treats these phone numbers with extensions is easily my biggest gripe. The iPhone should either;
a) Dial the number only until the call is connected (at which point it would enter the extension). This is how a Blackberry does it.
b) Only make the phone number linkable (that way, I can dial from the link and only have to remember the extension portion which would be entered manually)
Thanks!
P.S. I called my network provider but they indicated it was not a problme they could resolve.
iPhone 3GS iOS 4