There are many different options available to enhance your telephone service. Some options are free. Others are pay-per-use, and others must be included in your phone service package. Here is how you can use the key features that are available to you by your local phone company.
Instructions
1. Use call waiting. The call waiting feature must be included in your basic home phone service agreement, as it does impose an additional monthly charge. The call waiting feature is designed to alert you of an incoming phone call when you are already on the phone with another caller. If you wish to temporarily disable your call waiting feature, it can be done by simply pressing "* 7 0" before dialing the desired phone number.
2. Transfer calls with call forwarding. There is usually a small fee that incurs each time you use the call forwarding feature, some telephone plans may offer the feature as a monthly payment option. Call forwarding allows you to transfer phone calls from one phone to another. Press "7 2 #" to activate this feature. After the code is activated, listen for a prompt, then dial the number that you wish to transfer your phone calls to.
3. Block your number on caller IDs. If you prefer that your name and phone number not appear on caller IDs when you make a phone call, dial "* 6 7" before making your call. After activating the code, you will hear a prompt, then you will be able to dial the desired telephone number.
4. Use call return. If you do not have caller ID on your phone and you receive a phone call that you were not able to answer, dial "*6 9" to quickly find out who the caller was. After activating the code, the last number that called your line will be automatically called back. If the dialed number is busy, the call return feature will automatically keep redialing the number for at least 30 minutes. In the mean time, you can use your phone to make and receive other phone calls. When call return has successfully reached the desired party, your phone will prompt you with a special ring. Dial "*8 9" to deactivate the feature.
5. Trace a call. If you do not have a caller ID, the call trace feature will be a comforting tool to use when you get a disturbing phone call. The call trace feature is designed to track "prank calls" and avoid possible criminal mischief. After the disturbing phone call, hang up the receiver. Immediately lift the receiver again, and wait to hear the dial tone. Dial "* 5 7" to have the call traced. Listen to the confirmation of the traced number. Write down the exact time and date that you activated the call trace feature. The traced information is stored in the telephone company's business office usually for 24 hours. If the information is needed to give to the police, the telephone company will release it to law enforcement officers.
Tags: phone call, your phone, call waiting, call return, call trace