Call Forwarding is a service from your telephone company and enables your telephone calls to be answered at a different location. The two most popular types of Call Forwarding are Call Forwarding Variable or Call Forward Busy/Don’t Answer. Here’s an overview:
Call Forwarding Busy/Don’t Answer: Calls are automatically transferred to Business Connections when all of your lines are busy, or after a preset number of rings.
(+) Everything is automatic. You never need to activate or deactivate Call Forwarding. If all of your lines are in use, calls will be transferred to Business Connections. I prefer Call Forwarding Busy/Don’t Answer because once the phone company has it programmed correctly, I never need to turn anything on or off….it’s all automatic….Set it and Forget about it. Anything to simplify my life is a winning situation.
(–) Unanswered calls will ring 3 to 4 rings at your office before transferring to Business Connections.
(+) A great safety feature in the event of a problem at your location (i.e. power outage, flood or fire)
Call Forwarding Variable: Allows you the option of choosing a number to which all incoming calls will be directed. Once this feature is activated, calls cannot be answered by you. When activated, multiple calls can be answered by Business Connections, even if you only have a single telephone line.
(+) Calls are immediately transferred to the Answering Service; therefore your customers are greeted A.S.A.P…fewer rings means better service.
(–) You need to remember to activate and deactivate Call Forwarding whenever you leave your home or office.
To Activate Call Forwarding Variable:
A) Dial “*72” or “72#”; after you hear the dial tone, dial the number you wish to Call Forward to.
B) You will hear two short tones, then the normal ringing signal. As soon as you hear normal ringing signal hang up and dial “*72” or“72#” again. This second time you’ll hear 2 short tones and a dial tone. This confirms that Call Forwarding has been established.
To Deactivate Call Forwarding Variable:
A) Dial “*73” or “73#”. You’ll hear two short tones followed by a dial tone. This confirms that Call Forwarding has been de-activated.
Please Note:
1) When utilizing Call Forwarding Variable, as a reminder signal that your service is activated, your telephone will ring a half ring each time an incoming call is forwarded. The call cannot be answered at your location.
2) Your telephone can still be used for outgoing calls even though we are answering your incoming calls.
3) When activating Call Forwarding Variable, you must dial from the phone number that you wish to Call Forward calls from. (FYI – some phone companies offer Remote Access where you can call a toll free number from anywhere to activate or deactivate call forwarding)
4) All calls will continue to be forwarded until you deactivate your service.