Phone Service Glossary

A-F | G-L | M-R | S-Z

3 Way Calling

Enables customers to carry on a phone conversation with two different people, in two totally different places, at the same time.

900/976 Block

A service that prevents outbound 900/976 telephone calls from the customer's phone. This service is free of charge and must be offered on every residential phone line purchased by the customer.


Terms A - F

Additional Directory Listing

All local phone providers give customers the option to add another listing (or secondary party) to the Telephone Directory and/or Directory Assistance (411) under the same telephone number. (Prices vary per state.)

Additional Jack Installation

If installation of lines or jacks is required, the requested install date may be postponed. Fees for line and jack installation vary by provider. Cost associated with installation of additional lines or jacks is billed with the service fees in a monthly statement.

Anonymous Call Block

Anonymous Call Block - People who will not identify themselves to the caller will hear a message telling them to hang up, unblock delivery of their phone number, and call again.

Auto-Busy Redial

If you have dialed a number that is busy, auto busy redail will call the number repeatedly until the call finally gets through.

CALC (Customer Access Line Charge)

Also known as the Federal Access Charge, this is a charge proposed and authorized by the Federal Communications Commission, for providing access to and maintenance of the local network.

Call Block

This feature prevents certain telephone numbers from calling. Callers from these numbers will receive an automated announcement advising them a Call Block feature been activated and your phone will not ring when these numbers attempt to call.

Call Curfew

All calls incoming and outgoing are blocked during late-night and very early morning hours (user customizes blocked hours).

Call Forward - Busy Line

Sends telephone calls to voice mail or another number when your phone line is busy.

Call Forward - No Answer

Sends telephone calls to voice mail or another number when no one answers customer's phone.

Call Forwarding

Call Forward - Forwards all incoming calls to another number. This number can be to a long distance number and can be changed as often as desired from any phone.

Call Return/Auto Call Return

Also known as " *69, " this feature allows the customer to return the last incoming phone call. (There is a pay-per-use charge for this feature if it is not included in the customer's phone package).

Call Selector

Allows the resident to program up to six different telephone numbers on a "Call Selector" list. All calls from numbers on that list will have a distinctive ringing pattern to alert the resident that the call coming in is from one of the telephone numbers on his/her list.

Call Tracing

Aids in stopping annoying calls. Call Tracing is inexpensive and easy to use. Tracing is simply a matter of dialing a short code. The Annoyance Call Center will work with local law authorities to take the appropriate action to end the annoying calls.

Call Waiting

A special tone lets the user know if another caller is trying to get through when the line is busy.

Call Waiting Deluxe

A special tone lets the customer know if another call is coming in. The caller's name and telephone number appears on a special Caller ID display unit or screen phone. Customer can then decide whether to answer the call now or return the call later.

Call Waiting Id

Lets you know when you have a call and identifies the caller (requires a compatible phone or display to show the caller's identity) Note: You must also subscribe to Caller ID and Enhanced Call Waiting for Call Waiting ID to work.

Caller ID

Displays the name and telephone number of the person calling on a special Caller ID display unit or screen phone before the call is answered.

Caller ID w/ Name and Number

Displays the name and number of the person calling on a special Caller ID display unit or screen phone.

Caller ID w/ Number Only

Displays the number of the person calling on a special Caller ID display unit or screen phone.

Cancel Call Waiting

Temporarily disables Call Waiting by using a code (*70) so the customer is not interrupted.

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)

This type of provider leases telephone lines from ILECs for resale to the customer and/or installs its own fiber optic phone lines. They do have competition in the area, but can deny service or require a deposit. First Communications is an example of a CLEC.

Credit History

All services, ordered by the customer, are subject to a credit check and a review of the customer's prior account(s) with the provider (if applicable). Based on the customer's credit history, the provider may or may not require a deposit prior to local phone service installation.

Dial Lock

Blocks outgoing calls to long distance numbers, including pay-per-call (900) and international numbers. Operator-assisted calls and directory assistance calls can also be blocked. It is possible to set Dial Lock to only permit local and toll-free calls.

Distinctive Ring

Allows the customer to enjoy the benefits of two (or more) phone numbers at the price of one phone line. The distinctive ringing pattern of the phone will indicate who the call is for.

Do Not Disturb

Blocks all incoming calls while outgoing calls are never affected (can give a code to callers for them to be able to call in)

Dual Ring Service

Gives the customer the ability to have a single number ringing at both the old and new address. This service is only set up through the provider. Customers requesting Dual Ring Service can set up new service through Allconnect® and then contact the provider to activate the feature.

Enhanced 911 (E911

911 is the official national emergency number in the United States and Canada. Dialing 911 quickly connects you to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) emergency dispatcher trained to route the call to local emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies. Enhanced 911, or E911, takes this one step further. E911 enables the dispatcher to automatically identify the phone number and address of the person who is calling.

Enhanced Call Waiting

Enhanced Call Waiting - Lets you know who is calling and you can temporarily deactivate Enhanced Call Waiting for important cals or fax transmissions.

Equipment Maintenance Plan

An affordable warranty solution providing protection for repair and/or replacement coverage for all telephone equipment on location. Coverage for answering machines and cordless phone batteries are often restricted, depending on the service provider.

Expanded Local Calling Area

Providers may allow calls outside the typical local calling area immediately surrounding your home and these calls will not be subject to long distance charges. Refer to your Phone Service provider for exact area codes and regions that are in their local calling area.

FCC Access Line Charge

The FCC Access Charge or Subscriber Line Charge was instituted after the breakup of AT&T in 1984 to cover the costs of the local phone network. This is not a government charge or tax, and it does not end up in the government's treasury.

Flat Rate Service

A term commonly used to refer to an unlimited local calling plan



Terms G - L

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC)

This type of provider owns the lines in the area, but can deny service or require a deposit. CenturyLink and Cincinnati Bell are examples of an ILEC.

Inside Wiring Maintenance Plan

Inside wire maintenance covers the replacement and repair of faulty/damaged telephone wires and jacks for a monthly fee. Some plans include inside wire maintenance as a feature with no additional cost added. Withouth Inside Wire Maintenance, a customer can incur the following costs when a phone company technician is dispatched to diagnose and repair damaged or faulty lines:
One time service fee to have the technician show up at the residence.
Up to $150 (varies by provider)
Diagnostic and repair work billed in 15-minute increments up to $35 per increment.
Cost of materials. Materials vary in cost dependng on the type of repair, but are also billed to the customer.

In-State Long Distance

Calls made from the local calling area to areas beyond the regional toll area, but still within the state.

Intercept Message

Also know as "New Number Referral Service," this service informs callers of the customer's phone status or their new number. The service is free for 30 days.

International Long Distance

Calls made from one country to another.

ISDN

This abbreviation stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. It is a network, in which the same time division switches and digital transmission paths are used to establish connections for different services. ISDN services include telephone, data, electronic mail, and facsimile.

Local Call

Calls that originate and terminate within a specified geographic area about 3-5 miles around the home. These calls that can be made without an additional toll charge. Calls made to "800" numbers do not qualify as local calls because the called party is charged for the call.

Local Toll Calls

Local Toll or Regional calls are made from the home to a location outside the local calling area and are typically the itemized calls that appear on the local phone bill. Local Toll calls span greater distances than local calls, but are not long distance calls. Local Toll calls are usually billed per minute. Local Toll area maps are found in the front of most phone directories. Local Toll is often referred to as:
Regional Calling
Regional Long Distance
Intralata
Toll Calling
Note: Though geographical divisions may follow state and county lines, there is no consistency between companies or areas. Please refer to your Provider for the actual Local Toll Service area.

Long Distance

Calls placed to areas outside the local toll area are considered long distance. See also State-to-State Long Distance, In-State Long Distance, and International Long Distance

Long Distance Alert

Provides a distinctive ring and a distinctive call waiting tone (The distinctive alert signal is SHORT LONG SHORT) for long distance calls. Note: Long Distance Alert works in conjunction with Call Waiting.




Terms M - R

Measured Rate Service

Measured Service means that the customer pays by the minute for local calls. There is no fee for incoming call, but the customer may be required to pay a low Month Recurring Charge.

Message Indicator

Notifies customers when a new message is waiting to be received.

Minimum Point Of Entry (MPOE)

Local Carriers are responsible for bringing lines to the Minimum Point Of Entry (MPOE) for multi-dwelling businesses, high-rises, and apartment buildings.

No Solicitation

Before the phone rings, incoming callers are greeted with an announcement asking solicitors to please hang up and remove the name from their calling list. When No Solicitation is active, friends and relatives can skip the No Solicitation message by pressing 1. A privileged Caller list can be set up for automatic exceptions and will not receive the No Solicitation greeting.

Non-Restricted Calling Card

Calling cards that enable the customer to make calls from anywhere. Customer can call any telephone number and the charges for the calls will appear on the customer's local phone bill.

Priority Ring

Know that an incoming call is important by a distinctive priority ring. Pre-select the numbers you want to have priority ring.

Privacy Service

Unidentified calls are intercepted and callers must identify themselves before the phone rings. Privacy Service will ring the phone with the recorded name of the caller. The customer can decide how the call will be handled by choosing one of three options:
Accept the call
Send a "Do Not Solicit" message
ignore the call-play a recorded message instructing the caller to try later.
Note: Privacy Service requires Caller ID.

Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC)

RBOCs own the lines in the area but cannot deny service to anyone unless the customer owes a past bill to that provider. Verizon, AT&T, and Qwest are examples of RBOCs.

Remote Access To Call Forwarding

Customers can control the call forward feature from any touch-tone phone.

Repeat Dialing

Keeps redialing a busy number by entering a code. Repeat Dialing will continue to try the number. When the number becomes available, repeat dialing alerts with a distinctive ringing pattern.

Restricted Calling Card

Calling cards that enable the customer to make calls from anywhere. Customer can make calls only to their residence and the charges for the calls will appear on the customer's local phone bill.

Restricted Service

Enables customers with credit issues to set up phone service without paying a deposit. In turn, customers are restricted from the following activities until they choose to pay the deposit:
Direct dial long distance
Directory Assistance (411)
900/976 calls
Receiving third party or collect calls




Terms S - Z

Same Telephone Number

Every effort will be made to try to keep your same telephone number, however, a new number may be assigned by the provider. Once confirmed within 48 hours of placing your order, your phone number will be available in your Order Status under "Your Account" and we will contact you with a Status Update via email or Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

Security Screen

Security screen service works with Caller ID service to identify every call received so decisions can be made on whether or not to answer. It screens calls that would normally appear as "unavailable", "out-of-area", "unknown", "anonymous", "blocked" or "private" on the Caller ID box and instructs the callers to identify themselves to complete the call.

Special Call Acceptance

Accept an incoming call

Special Call Forward

Forwards all incoming calls to another number. This number can be to a long distance number and can be changed as often as desired from any phone.

Special Call Reject

Reject an incoming call

Speed Dialing - 30

Makes dialing faster by allowing customers to assign a two-digit code to 30 complete telephone numbers.

Speed Dialing - 8

This feature allows customers to store eight complete telephone numbers and dial them with the touch of a button.

State-To-State Long Distance

Calls made from one state to another.

Talking Call Waiting

Talking Call Waiting - After the beep identifying a call waiting, a voice says the name of the incoming caller.

Third Party Calls

Calls made from one party to another where a third party is responsible for the charges.

Three-Way Calling

This feature allows the customer to conference two separate phone calls into the same conversation. (There is a pay-per-use charge for this feature if it is not included in the customer's phone package).

Unlimited Long Distance

Allows calling to anyone in the U.S., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

VIP Alert

Allows customer to recognize calls from numbers on their "Very Important People" list by a distinctive ring tone.

Voice Mail

Voice mail takes messages when the customer is unable to answer the telephone. It also enables the customer to check the message(s) from home or a remote location.

Voice Mail Service - Spanish

Voice mail--which takes messages when the customer is unable to answer the telephone--with the Spanish language option.

Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP)

A modern technology that offers telephone service using a High-Speed Internet connection. A regular phone or a computer with a microphone can be used. The customer can call anyone with a normal phone number. Vonage is an example of a VoIP provider.

VOIP Adapter

Sometimes referred to as a "router," this is the key piece of equipment that allows VoIP to function. Most adapters offer the possibility of two separate lines with separate phone numbers.

Wire And Equipment Maintenance

Combination of inside wire and equipment maintenance.

Zone 3

In California, these are calls that are made to an area 13-16 miles away from the customer. Calls within 13 miles are local calls. Calls beyond 16 miles are Regional Toll Calls. Zone 3 calls are between 13-16 miles. The local company phone company will be the company that carries these calls. The customer has the option to pay based on usage, or get unlimited calls to the Zone 3 area for a monthly fee.



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