Calling Features Guide

Calling Features

  • Telephone Safety

    The telephone and the system serving you can generally be regarded as safe to use. There are, however, a few situations in which telephone users need to be cautious.

    Use of Telephone Near Water

    The telephone should not be used while you are in a bathtub, shower or pool. Immersion of the telephone or handset in water could cause an electrical shock.

    Use of the telephone during an electrical storm

    You should avoid using a telephone during an electrical storm in your immediate area. Urgent calls should be brief. Although the telephone industry uses protective devices to limit abnormal electrical surges from entering your home, absolute protection is impossible. There is always a remote chance of a dangerous electrical shock from lightning when using the telephone during a nearby electrical storm.

    Use of the telephone to report a gas leak

    If you think you have found a gas leak, you should not use a telephone in the vicinity of the leak until the leak is repaired. The telephone contains electrical contacts that could generate a tiny spark to trigger an explosion if the gas concentration is high enough. You should go to another location to report any gas leaks.

    Teaching your children to dial in an emergency

    Your children need to know how to use the phone in an emergency. Teach them how to dial the numbers shown on page 1 of this book when they need help. Also make sure they know their home telephone number and their address.

  • Who's Calling

    Caller ID

    Caller ID identifies the number, or name and number of the incoming caller before you answer your phone. Caller ID requires the rental or purchase of a display phone.

    Distinctive Ring

    Know when that special someone calls. Program up to 12 numbers. You will be notified by a special ring to let you know it is an important caller.

    Personalized Ring

    Allows a single line to be assigned up to four separate numbers. Each number can be assigned a different ring cadence.

  • Never Miss a Call

    Call Waiting

    Allows you to answer a second call without hanging up on the person you are speaking with.

    Auto Recall

    Allows you to call back the number that last called you simply by pressing *69. (Auto Recall/*69 Recall)

    Call Forwarding

    Calls can follow you wherever you go. Lets you transfer your incoming calls automatically to any other telephone.

    Call Forwarding Remote Access

    Allows you to reroute your calls, or activate or cancel call forwarding from any touch-tone telephone.

    Call Forwarding Busy Line

    Forward incoming calls to another number when your line is busy.

    Call Forwarding No Answer

    Forward your calls to another number when you can't answer the phone.

    Selective Call Forwarding

    Forwards only select calls to another number.

    Selective Call Acceptance

    Allows you to program numbers to only allow certain people to call you.

    Voice Mail

    Have your calls recorded and retrieve your messages anytime, anywhere.

  • Save Time

    Auto Call Back

    Let your phone redial a busy number for you and inform you when it gets through. It's as simple as *66.

    Three Way Calling

    Speak with two people in two different locations at the same time, on just one phone line.

  • Protect Your Privacy

    Intercepts calls that are delivered as "unknown" to the subscriber's line. An announcement states, "The number you have reached does not accept calls from Telemarketers. If you are a Telemarketer, please add this number to your 'Do Not Call' list and hang up now. Otherwise, press 1 or stay on the line.

    "Note: The user must receive a call before activating this service. Dial *96 from your home phone.

    Note: The first time you access this service, you will be prompted to choose which language you wish to hear the options in. After you make your selection, all menus and prompts will be presented in that language (This is an Optional feature)

    PRESS *96 to Manage Telemarketer Settings

    PRESS 1 to Turn Anonymous Call Screening and Telemarketer Call Screening ON or OFF

    PRESS 2 to Set a New Bypass Code

    PRESS 3 to Change Language

    PRESS 4 to Manage Screening Lists

    • Press 1 to Turn Screening Lists ON or OFF
    • Press 2 to Manage permitted numbers list
    • Press 3 to Manage blocked number list

    PRESS 5 to Add last caller to blocked call list

  • Anonymous Call Rejection

    Blocks a private call from ringing onto your line.

    How To Use

    Listen for dial tone and press *77 (On a rotary phone dial 1177). Listen for confirmation and hang up. Callers who have blocked the display of their name and number will hear an announcement that you do not accept private calls and they should cancel the blocking option and call again. All other calls will ring through as usual. To cancel, press *87 (On a rotary phone, dial 1187). Listen for a confirmation tone or announcement. Hang up.

  • Auto Recall

    Allows you to automatically dial the number of the last incoming call whether you answered it or not.

    How to use:

    Pickup handset and listen for dial tone. Press *69 (On a rotary phone, dial 1169). You will hear the number off the last incoming call. To place the call dial 1. If the line is busy, hang up. Your phone will keep trying the line for 30 minutes. A special call back ring alerts you if the line becomes free. To cancel, press *89 (On a rotary phone, dial 1189). Call Return does not work on 800 numbers, 900 numbers, numbers outside the specified service area, or lines using Call Forwarding or some other call services. You may still place and receive calls while waiting for a busy line to become free. *Any customer may use this feature on a pay-per-usage basis.

  • Call Forwarding

    Lets you transfer your incoming calls to any other telephone dialable within the continental U.S.A. without the assistance of an operator.

    How to use:

    Press *72, and listen for second dial tone.

    Dial the number to which you wish to forward your calls. Remain on the line until someone at the forwarded number answers.

    If the line is busy or there is no answer, hang up and immediately repeat the first 2 steps. Call Forwarding is activated automatically when you hear two short tones and a dial tone. No answer is required to activate Call Forwarding on the second attempt.

  • Cancel Call Forwarding

    How to use:

    Dial *73

    Listen for two short tones plus a dial tone. Call Forwarding is cancelled.


  • Call Forward Remote Access

    This service allows subscribers to activate or deactivate Call Forwarding or to change the forward destination when they are at a remote location away from home or office.

    How to use:

    To activate, dial 706-937-0099. Follow Call Forwarding instructions.

  • Call Forwarding No Answer

    This feature forwards incoming calls to another number when your line is not answered after a specified number of rings (2 or more). You provide the telephone company with the number you want calls forwarded to when you don't answer. Your phone rings normally until the incoming call has been forwarded. You can either answer the incoming call before the specified number of rings or allow the call to proceed to the forwarded number. To activate, dial 706-965-1234 and provide customer service with the number you want calls forwarded to when you can't answer.

  • Call Forward Busy Line

    This feature forwards incoming calls to another line when your line is busy. You can continue a conversation or remain online with Internet while other incoming calls are being forwarded. You provide the telephone company with the number you want calls forwarded to when your line is busy.

    To activate, dial 706-965-1234 and provide customer service with the number you want calls forwarded to when your line is busy.

  • Calling Blocking

    Blocks the delivery of your name and number to the location you are calling.

    How to use:

    Listen for dial tone and Press *67

    Dial the number you are calling as usual. The person you are calling will see anonymous or private on their display screen.

    You must dial *67 each time you wish to place a call that is to be blocked.

    To cancel this feature, press *82

  • Call Waiting

    This service lets you answer a second call while you are using your telephone.

    How to use:

    When you are engaged in a conversation and you receive an incoming call, you will hear a special tone followed by the display of the calling party's name and number*. You can decide to answer or not.

    To answer the call, depress and release the switch hook or flash button to put the original party on hold. You are then connected to the calling party. *Call Waiting Display is only available if subscribed to caller ID.

    To alternate between parties, depress and release the switch hook or flash button once for each transfer.

    If you wish to end the original conversation when you hear the Call Waiting alert tone, simply hang up. Your telephone then rings. When you answer you are connected to your remaining caller.

  • Cancel Call Waiting

    To initiate Cancel Call Waiting, press *70. Wait for the dial tone to return, then dial the number normally.

    Upon completion of the call, the Call Waiting feature will automatically reactivate.

  • Call Trace

    Allows you to trace the last incoming call. When you get a threatening or obscene call, depress the switch hook quickly and listen for a special dial tone. If you've already hung up, just pick up the phone and listen for a normal dial tone.

    How to use:

    After the call, Press *57. You will hear a preliminary announcement describing the Call Trace feature.

    Press 1 to proceed.

    Listen for a confirmation announcement that the last call has been traced. The number you traced will be recorded at RTC's Central Office. If you decide to follow up on the matter contact the proper authorities.

    Call Trace should be used immediately after you hang up on the call you wanted traced. If you get another call, or hear a Call Waiting tone first, you will trace the wrong call. If you wish, you may still place outgoing calls before activating Call Trace.

    *Any customer may use this feature on a pay-per-usage basis.

  • Distinctive Ring

    Allows you to create a list of up to 12 numbers. When someone on your list calls you, you will be notified by a special ring that it is an important caller.

    How to use:

    Pick up the handset and listen for dial tone.

    Press *61.

    Listen for an announcement that will tell you whether the feature is on or off. The recorded voice will tell you how many (if any) numbers are currently stored on your list.

    Choose from the following options:

    • Press 3 to turn on/off
    • Press 1 to review your list.
    • Press # to add a number.
    • Press* to delete a number.
    • Press #01# to add the last caller to your list.
  • Personalized Ring

    Allows a single line to be assigned up to four numbers. A Distinctive Ring pattern identifies incoming calls to the separate numbers.

    To activate, call 706-965-1234.

  • Auto Call Back

    Automatic callback redials a busy number for you, and then alerts you when it is available.

    How to use:

    When you hear a busy signal, depress the switch hook and release quickly. Listen for a special dial tone. If you've already hung up, just pick up the handset to automatically place the call.

    Press *66 ·(On a rotary phone, dial 1189).

    If the line is still busy, hang up. Your phone will check the number for you for up to 30 minutes.

    A special callback ring alerts you if the line becomes free. Pick up the handset to automatically place the call.

    To restart the 30-minute clock, repeat the first three steps.

    Auto Call Back can check as many as 12 busy lines at once for you. Services do not work on 800 numbers, 900 numbers, numbers outside the specified service area, or on lines where Call Forwarding or some other call services have been activated. You may still place and receive calls while waiting for a busy line to become free.

    *Any customer may use this feature on a pay-per-usage basis.

  • Selective Call Acceptance

    Selective Call Acceptance allows you to create a list of up to 12 numbers. Only those callers on your list will ring onto your line. When someone not on your list tries to call you, they will be notified that you are not accepting calls from them at this time.

    How to use:

    Pick up the handset and listen for the dial tone.

    Press *64.

    Listen for an announcement to tell you if the feature is currently on or off and how many (if any) numbers are currently stored on your acceptance list.

    Choose from the following options:

    • Press 3 to turn on/off.
    • Press 1 to review your list.
    • Press # to add a number.
    • Press * to delete a number.
    • Press #01# to add the last caller to your list.
  • Selective Call Forwarding

    Selective Call Forwarding allows you to create a list of up to 12 numbers and program a forwarding number. When someone on your list calls you, their call will ring at the forwarding number location. All other calls ring onto your line as normal.

    How to use:

    Pick up the handset and listen for the dial tone.

    Press *63.

    Listen for an announcement telling you whether the feature is currently on or off. The recorded voice will then tell you how many (if any) numbers are currently on your forward list.

    Choose from the following options:

    • Press 3 to turn on/off.
    • Press 1 to review your list.
    • Press # to add a number.
    • Press * to delete a number.
    • Press #01# to add the last caller to your list.

    To enter the "forward to" number: The first time you turn on the service, you'll be asked to enter the number you would like your special calls forwarded to.

  • Three Way Calling

    This service allows you to add a third person to your conversation.

    How to use:

    Press the switch hook or flash button once and release immediately. This puts the original call on hold.

    Listen for 3 short tones, then a dial tone.

    Dial the telephone number of the third person to be added.

    After the third person answers, you may talk with that person before returning to the original call.

    To return the original caller to the line and complete the 3 - way call, press the switch hook or flash button once and release immediately.

    Disconnecting:

    Original party just hangs up.

    Third party is removed by your pressing the switch hook or flash button once and releasing or by the third party hanging up.

    All three connections are automatically disconnected when you hang up.

  • Voice Mail

    Voice Mail answers your calls for you when you are on or away from your phone. You will need to go to mailbox setup in the beginning to record your own greeting and setup a password. You must setup a password if you wish to check your messages away from home. When you have messages on your phone, you will hear a stutter dial tone when you lift your receiver.

    How to use:

    Dial 706-965-0050 or dial *98 from your home phone

    From home: enter your password and press # sign

    Away from home: enter your entire phone number (including area code), press # sign, enter your password, press # again

    To Retrieve Messages:

    Press 1 at the main menu

    Press 1 to Repeat

    Press 2 to Save as new

    Press 3 to Delete

    Press 4 to Reply

    Press 5 to Send a copy

    Press # to Leave as saved

    Press * to Return to the main menu


    To Set Up Your Mailbox:

    Press 3 at the main menu

    Press 1 to Set up a personal greeting

    Press 3 to Select system generated greeting or change recording of name

    Press 5 to Work with greeting that callers hear when you are busy on another call

    Press * to Exit to main menu

  • Find Me - Follow Me

    When someone calls your phone, Find Me- Follow Me will send the call to ring any number of additional phones of your choosing. For instance: You make a list of phone numbers where you may be, your house, the office, a relative's house, etc. When someone calls your phone, Find Me - Follow Me will call, in order, each phone on your list until you are reached. You may also have all phone numbers on your list ring at the same time.

    To activate, call 706-965-1234.

  • Making Long Distance Calls

    Direct-Dialed:

    Long distance rates are the lowest when you dial the call yourself and speak to whoever answers.

    Person-to-Person:

    To talk to a particular person or extension number, tell the operator you wish to make a "person-to-person" call. Rates are higher than a "station-to-station" call and also apply when you talk to an alternate person or extension. Person-to-Person calls may also be dialed directly.

    Collect Calls:

    Be sure to tell the operator you want to place a "collect" call. Collect calls may also be dialed directly.

    Conference Calls:

    To talk with several people in different places at the same time, dial "O" and tell the operator you wish to make a "conference" call. A special charge will be made for this type call.

    WATS, 800, 844, 855,866, 877, & 888 Telephone Numbers:

    Station-to-station long distance calls may be made (without charge to you) to customers who have inward Wide Area Telecommunications Service. Dial 1 plus 800, 844, 855, 866, 877 or 888, then the special number having this service.

    Directory Assistance (Information)

    for local numbers: 411

    for long distance numbers: 1+area code+555-1212

    Operator assistance: dial "0"

    Local Directory Assistance: $1.95 per call. Verification and Interrupt fees will apply

    International Direct Distant Dialing:

    For information about international rates, dial your carrier of choice.

    How IDD Works:

    Dial the international access code: 011, then the country code, the city code and then the local number.

    For example, to place a direct-dialed call to London, you dial: 011 + 44 + 20 + 12345678

    For more international calling codes, please see to pages 22-23.

    Person-to-Person, Collect or Calling Card International Calls:

    Follow the instructions given above, but dial 01 for the international access code. The operator will come on the line and ask for information such as the name of the person you are trying to call or your credit card number. For example, to place a call that is person-to-person, collect, calling card, or a call charged to another number, dial: 01 + 44 + 20 + 12345678

    Operator Assisted Calling:

    Person-to person, *calling card or billed to third number calls require operator assistance. Use the International Access Code "01" instead of"011".

    *Certain countries will not accept collect calls.

    Additional Assistance or Information Dial "O" (operator) if you need assistance:

    • to call countries that cannot be dialed.
    • to get telephone numbers.
    • for help on completing a call.
    • to get credit if you reach a wrong number.
    • to get City Codes that are not listed.

    Calls to Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and most dial points in the Caribbean can be dialed the same as long distance calls within the Continental United States.

    International Calling:

    If you are pre-subscribed to a long distance company which provides international calling, you may use the following dialing instructions:

    Dial the International Access Code 011, the Country Code, the City Code, the local number and the# button if you have touchtone services. This will speed your call along.