Calling Features

Auto Call Back/Auto Redial

You can save time dialing busy numbers over and over. Your phone rings you as soon as the line is free, and automatically connects you.

  1. When you hear a busy signal, press and release the switchhook. Listen for a special tone.
  2. If you’ve already hung up, lift the handset and listen for normal dial tone.
  3. Dial *66. On a rotary dial phone, dial 1166.
  4. If the line is still busy, hang up. Your phone will check the number for up to 30 minutes.
  5. A special callback ring alerts you if the line becomes free. (Some phones ring automatically.)
  6. Lift the handset to automatically place the call.
Auto Redial/Last Call Return

If you miss a call for whatever reason, this feature will automatically redial the phone number of the last incoming call that you missed.

  1. Lift the handset and listen for normal dial tone.
  2. If you were already on the phone and ignored a call waiting tone, press and quickly release the switchhook.
  3. Dial *69. On a rotary dial phone, dial 1169.
  4. The number of the last caller will be dialed and your call will go through like a normal call.
Caller ID

If you have a caller ID box or phone with caller ID display with the capability to display name and number, each unblocked incoming call will be displayed on your ID box or display.

Caller ID Blocking-All Calls

Allows you to restrict your name and phone number from being released to the person you are calling. Instead of getting your name and number, the person’s Caller ID will display “Private”

Caller ID Blocking (Per Call)

*This Is a free feature

Allows you to restrict your name and phone number from being released to the person you are calling on a per-call basis. Instead of getting your name and number, the person’s Caller ID will display “Private”. This feature must be activated for every call you want to block. To block your ID information per call, dial *67 before dialing the number. Contact SMU for information on how to permanently block your ID information for all calls.

Call Forward-All Calls

Allows you to forward all incoming calls to another number of your choice. The feature can be turned on or off whenever you like.

  1. Dial *72 on your touchtone phone. On a rotary phone, dial 1172.
  2. When you hear a second dial tone, dial the number you want the calls to be forwarded to.
  3. Wait for the party to answer. After staying on the line for 5 seconds or more, Call Forwarding is now activated to that number.
  4. If the line is busy or there is no answer, repeat steps one and two. Two quick tones means that Call Forwarding is working.
  5. To check if your calls are being forwarded, dial *72 and a busy signal will inform you that your calls are being forwarded.

To Cancel

  1. Dial *73. On a rotary phone, dial 1173.
  2. 2 quick tones followed by a dial tone indicate that your calls are no longer being forwarded
Call Forward-Busy Line

Allows you to forward incoming calls to another phone number if the caller receives a busy signal.

  1. Dial *90 to activate call forward on busy. On a rotary phone, dial 1190.
  2. When activated, listen for the stutter dial tone, then enter the number you wish to forward calls to.
  3. Wait for the party to answer. After staying on the line for 5 seconds or more, Call Forwarding is now activated to that number.

To Cancel

  1. Dial *91. On a rotary phone, dial 1191
Call Forward-No Answer

Allows you to forward incoming calls to another phone number if the caller doesn’t receive an answer after a predetermined number of rings.

  1. Dial *92 to activate call forward-no answer. On a rotary phone, dial 1192.
  2. When activated, listen for the stutter dial tone. Enter the number of times you want the phone to ring before being forwarded, followed by the phone number you want to forward calls to.
  3. Wait for the party to answer. After staying on the line for 5 seconds or more, Call Forwarding is now activated to that number.

To Cancel

  1. Dial *93 to deactivate. On a rotary phone, dial 1193.
Call Waiting/Cancel Call Waiting

By means of a tone or beep it warns you that someone else is trying to call.

  1. When you are on the phone and another caller is trying to reach you, Call Waiting notifies you of the second call with a short beep.
  2. To answer the second call and place the first call on hold, quickly tap and release the receiver button or hook. You are now connected to the second call.

You may switch back to the first call, or alternate between callers by tapping and releasing the receiver button. You may also answer the second call by hanging up and waiting for the phone to ring.

To Cancel:

  1. Before placing your call, push *70. You will hear three short tones followed by a dial tone.
  2. Place your call. When you hang up the phone, call waiting is automatically restored.
Distinctive Ringing (Where Available)

With this feature, you receive two phone numbers. Calls to each number have a distinctive ring tone. This feature is often used as a “teen line” whereby children can have a separate number that rings to the same line using the distinctive ring.