CenturyLink Calling Features User Guide

CenturyLink
Calling Features User Guide

Table of Contents

PAGE
Caller ID 1
Know who’s calling before you pick up the phone.
Call Waiting 2
Never miss an important call.
Call Waiting ID 3
3-Way Calling 3
Enables three people at different telephone numbers to talk.
66 Busy Redial 4
Avoid redialing busy telephone numbers.
Call Forwarding 5
You’ll always keep in touch when you’re on the move by forwarding your calls wherever you go.
• Variable Call Forwarding 5
• Fixed Call Forwarding 8
Distinctive Ring 9
Offers the flexibility of two phone numbers for your
single line, each with its own special ring.
69 Call Return 10
Calls back the last number that called you.
Cancel Call Waiting 11
Avoid Call Waiting interruptions as needed.
Anonymous Call Rejection 12
Avoid calls from people who don’t identify themselves
on Caller ID.
Call Screening Services 12
63 Selective Call Forwarding 13
Forwards calls from specific phone numbers to the
number of your choice.
64 Selective Call Acceptance 14 Screen your calls and only allow certain numbers to ring through.
60 Selective Call Rejection 14 Prevent calls from certain phone numbers.
VIP Alert 15
Identifies preferred callers with a special ring.
Speed Call (8 or 30) 15
Create a list of phone numbers that can be called by using a one or two-digit code.
Quick Reference Card Inside Back Cover
Before you begin
Back to Table of Contents
Here are a few tips to assist you in using this guide:
The touch call pad is the numbered push-button pad you use to
dial telephone numbers.
The hookswitch is the button that disconnects your call when
you hang up the telephone. When the instructions read, “press and release the hookswitch,” hold the hookswitch down for more than one second.
If your telephone has a “flash” button, you can press that
instead of the hookswitch.
If your telephone has a pulse/tone switch, place the switch on
“tone” for touch call service.
When using some calling services, you will be instructed to
press either the
or the # key.

Caller ID

Find out who’s calling before you answer the telephone. Caller ID
displays the telephone number and/or name and number of the caller on a special display unit.
1. Wait for one full ring.
2. Look at your Caller ID display unit for the telephone number and/or name and number associated with the incoming call.
NOTES ABOUT CALLER ID:
A Caller ID display unit is a separate piece of equipment
that is required for this service. Display units vary in design and features.
If you have Call Waiting, Caller ID doesn’t display
information for any calls that come through when you’re on the telephone unless you have Call Waiting ID on your line and compatible equipment.
If your caller is using a privacy feature, the Caller ID display
may read “Private Number” instead of the caller’s name/ number.
1
Some calls may show “Out-of-Area” instead of the caller’s
Back to Table of Contents
name/number because the calling information was not received.
The name displayed is based on the listing in the
CenturyLink database.

Call Waiting

Talk on the telephone for as long as you want without worrying
about missing a call. Call Waiting alerts you to a second incoming call when you are on the telephone. You will hear a Call Waiting tone during a call and the person calling will hear normal ringing until you answer.
4When you hear the Call Waiting tone, you have several options:
End the original call and answer the waiting call.
Hang up and the telephone will ring with the
second caller.
Place the original call on hold and answer the waiting call.
Press and release the hookswitch to put the first person
on hold and answer the second call. You can alternate between the two calls and both conversations will remain private.
Ignore the Call Waiting tone and use ✱69 Call Return
to identify the second caller once you have finished the original call.
Ignore the Call Waiting tone and let the second call forward
to Voice Mail (if activated) or another number (if you have set up Call Forward – No Answer).
2
NOTES ABOUT CALL WAITING:
If the first caller hangs up, you will automatically be
Call Waiting allows you to have two people on your
connected to the waiting call within two seconds.
telephone at the same time – one on hold and one to whom you are talking. A third caller will hear a busy signal (the call may forward to Voice Mail or another number if those services are activated).

Call Waiting ID

Back to Table of Contents
Enjoy the benefits of Caller ID with Call Waiting. Call Waiting ID
allows you to see the telephone number and/or name and number of the incoming caller when you are on the telephone.
A Call Waiting tone alerts you to another incoming call.
NOTES ABOUT CALL WAITING ID:
See the second caller’s name and/or name and number on
a special Caller ID display unit.
Enjoy your options:
• Put one call on hold while you take another call.
• End one call to take another call.
• Alternate between two calls.
• Ignore the tone until the caller hangs up or the call transfers to Voice Mail or another number if those services are activated.
You must have Call Waiting and Caller ID activated on your
line in addition to Call Waiting ID.
Requires a Call Waiting ID compatible display unit. See the Caller ID section of this guide for more information.
3

3-Way Calling

3-Way Calling lets three people at different telephone numbers
talk together at the same time, no matter who placed the first call.
4To Add a Third Person to Your Call:
1. With the first person on the line, press and release the
2. Listen for three tones followed by a dialtone.
3. Dial the number of the third person. Once the person
Note: If you get a busy signal or no answer when calling the third person, just
press and release the hookswitch twice to continue your original call.
hookswitch to put the call on hold.
answers, you can talk privately before connecting the person on hold.
To bring the person on hold back into the conversation and
Back to Table of Contents
complete the 3-Way call, press and release the hookswitch for one second and all three of you will be connected.
To disconnect, have either person hang up and you can
continue a 2-Way call.
NOTES ABOUT 3-WAY CALLING:
You may use 3-Way Calling to add another person, no
matter who placed the first call; however, if you hang up, the other two people will also disconnect.
When the 3-Way Call includes long distance, you pay only
for the call(s) you make.
Call Waiting does not work during a 3-Way Call.

66 Busy Redial

Have your telephone automatically redial busy numbers for
you. When you reach a busy number, use 66 Busy Redial to monitor the number you called and ring you back when the line is available.
4 To Use After Dialing a Busy Number:
1. Press and release the hookswitch (or hang up and lift the
handset again).
2. Listen for a dialtone and press
number is still busy, a recording will tell you that your call is next in line.
Note: You will hear two normal ringing tones or an announcement. If the called
3. Hang up.
Note: When the number you called is no longer busy, your telephone will ring
with a distinctive ring (short-short-long ring – ringing tones may vary).
4. Lift the handset and the call will be connected (you will
hear a normal ringing tone).
✱66.
4
4To Cancel a Request:
Listen for a dialtone and press ✱86.
NOTES ABOUT 66 BUSY REDIAL:
Only works for calls made to numbers within your defined
calling area.
The number you called will not ring until you pick up your
Back to Table of Contents
telephone.
If the person you called uses the telephone before ✱66
Busy Redial can complete your call, a recording will tell you to hang up and activate 66 Busy Redial again.
When your telephone notifies you that the line is available
(short-short-long ring tone), you have until the third series of rings to pick up the telephone, otherwise ✱66 Busy Redial will try to complete your call five minutes later. 66 Busy Redial will ring your telephone every five minutes for up to 30 minutes unless you cancel your request.

Call Forwarding

You’ll always keep in touch when you’re on the move by forwarding your calls wherever you go. You may select from two types of Call Forwarding services: Variable and Fixed.
Variable (V)
Variable Call Forwarding allows you to establish and
change the number to where your calls will be forwarded. You are responsible for service activation and deactivation as well as re-establishing the forwarded telephone number destination upon interruption of "variable" Call Forwarding service.
5
Call Forwarding – All Calls (V)
ALL incoming calls are forwarded to a telephone number
that you have chosen and can be changed at any time.
4To Forward Incoming Calls:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 72.
2. At the tone, dial the telephone number to which you want
3. When the call is answered, the service has been activated.
Note: If the call is not answered, hang up and repeat the above steps within two
minutes. When the number you are forwarding to rings, you can hang up and the
feature is activated.
your calls forwarded.
4To Turn the Service OFF:
Back to Table of Contents
Listen for a dialtone and press 73.
NOTES ABOUT CALL FORWARDING – ALL CALLS (V):
Note: Two short tones indicate that you have turned Call Forwarding – All Calls (V)
OFF.
If you forward calls to a long distance telephone number,
you will incur long distance charges for each completed call.
In most areas, a brief tone followed by a dialtone indicates
the service is ON. You will hear this tone until you turn the service OFF.
To confirm Call Forwarding is ON, press ✱72.
If ON, you will hear a fast busy tone. If OFF, you will hear a normal dialtone.
You cannot answer calls when Call Forwarding – All Calls
(V) is ON. You will hear one short ring each time a call forwards. This is to remind you the service is ON. You can, however, place calls as usual.
Call Forward – Busy (V)
When you are on the telephone, incoming calls will be
forwarded to any telephone number you select, and you may change the forwarding number at any time.
6
4To Forward Incoming Calls:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 90.
2. At the tone, dial the telephone number to which calls are to
3. When the call is answered, the service is activated.
Note: If the call is not answered, hang up and repeat the above steps within two
minutes. When the number you are forwarding to rings, you can hang up and the
feature is activated.
4To Turn the Service OFF:
Listen for a dialtone and press 91.
be forwarded.
Call Forward – No Answer (V)
Back to Table of Contents
Incoming calls are forwarded to any telephone number you
select only when you choose not to answer (or are unavailable to answer) your telephone, and you may change the forwarding number at any time.
4To Forward Unanswered Calls:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 92.
2. At the tone, dial the telephone number to which calls be forwarded.
3. When the call is answered, the service is activated
4To Turn the Service OFF:
are to
.
Listen for a dialtone and press 93.
Call Forward – Busy/No Answer (V)
When you choose not to answer incoming calls or when
you are on the telephone, incoming calls are forwarded to any telephone you choose. You may change the forwarding number at any time. You may turn one or both features at the same time ON or OFF simply by following the steps below.
7
4To Forward Unanswered Calls:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 90 and 92.
2. At the tone, dial the telephone number to which calls
3. When the call is answered, the service is activated
4To Turn the Service OFF:
Listen for a dialtone and press 91 and 93.
NOTES ABOUT CALL FORWARD – BUSY AND/OR NO ANSWER (V):
You can turn one or both of these services ON or OFF
You must activate the service by using both codes. You can make and receive calls when services are ON.
are to
be forwarded.
.
anytime.
If you also subscribe to Call Forwarding – All Calls (V),
Back to Table of Contents
the Busy/No Answer options will not work until Call Forwarding – All Calls (V) is turned OFF.
If you forward calls to a long distance telephone number,
you will incur long distance charges for each completed call.
Fixed (F)
Fixed Call Forwarding allows you to provide a pre-set
number, to CenturyLink, to forward your calls. Service activation and deactivation is the responsibility of the customer.
Call Forwarding – All Calls (F)
ALL incoming calls are forwarded to a pre-set telephone number that you selected when you ordered your Call Forwarding service. (To change the pre-set forwarding number, you must call your local Customer Contact Center.)
4To Forward Calls to the Pre-set Telephone Number:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 41.
2. At the tone, the feature is turned ON.
8
4To Turn the Service OFF:
Press 43.
NOTES ABOUT CALL FORWARD – ALL CALLS (F):
You must activate the service by using the code to turn the
If you forward calls to a long distance telephone number,
You cannot answer calls when Call Forward - All Calls (F) is
feature ON.
you will incur long distance charges for each call forwarded.
ON. You will hear one short ring each time a call forwards. This is to remind you the service is ON. You can, however, make calls normally when Call Forward - All Calls (F) is ON.
Call Forward – Busy (F)
Back to Table of Contents
When your telephone line is busy, your incoming calls are permanently forwarded to a pre-set telephone number you selected when you ordered your Call Forwarding service.
Call Forward – No Answer (F)
Unanswered calls are permanently forwarded to a pre-set telephone number you selected when you ordered your Call Forwarding service. Your telephone rings about 4 times before the call is forwarded.
Call Forward – Busy/No Answer (F)
When your telephone line is busy or not answered, your calls
are permanently forwarded to a pre-set telephone number you selected when you ordered your Call Forwarding service.
Note: If you also subscribe to Call Forwarding – All Calls (V), Call Forward Busy/
No Answer (F) will not work until Call Forwarding – All Calls (V) is turned OFF.
NOTES ABOUT CALL FORWARD – BUSY, NO ANSWER AND
BUSY/NO ANSWER (F):
If you forward calls to a long distance telephone number,
you will incur long distance charges for each call forwarded.
You can make and receive calls when Call Forward - Busy,
No Answer and Busy/No Answer (F) is on.
If you also subscribe to Call Forwarding - All Calls (V),
Call Forward Busy/No Answer (F) will not work until Call Forwarding - All Calls (V) is turned OFF.
9

Distinctive Ring

Distinctive Ring gives you one additional telephone number with
its own distinctive ring on your existing telephone line. You can have one number for yourself and the other for your children, roommate, fax machine, or another you choose. The special ring will let you know who the call is for before you answer. You may list an additional name with your Distinctive Ring telephone number in your local directory at no additional cost.
Ring Tones:
Back to Table of Contents
• Main Number – one long ring (normal).
• Distinctive Ring Number – two short rings.
Note: The person calling either number will hear a normal ring tone.
Business customers who choose Distinctive Ring may list
both numbers in the white pages of the directory at no additional cost. Business directory listings cannot be used for a residential line.
Distinctive Ring is compatible with all calling services. Special interactions are:
• If you subscribe to Call Waiting, it will work on both
numbers. You can tell which number the Call Waiting call is for by the number of tones you hear – calls to the Distinctive Ring number will have two Call Waiting tones.
Note: Call Waiting tones for VIP Alert and Distinctive Ring are the same. You will
not be able to tell them apart.
If you use Cancel Call Waiting, callers to either number will
hear a normal busy signal (or transfer to Voice Mail if this service is activated).
If you activate Call Forwarding, calls to either number will
be forwarded.
If you use any service with a list (60 Selective Call
Rejection, Speed Call (8 or 30), 64 Selective Call Acceptance, 63 Selective Call Forwarding and VIP Alert), the special list is shared by both numbers and is treated the same.
10

69 Call Return

Automatically dial the last number that called you. 69 Call Return
can be used to return a call whether you answered it or not, even if it was on Call Waiting.
4When You Miss a Call:
Listen for a dialtone and press 69
(recording may provide additional instructions).
4To Cancel (if line is busy):
Back to Table of Contents
Listen for a dialtone and press 89.
NOTES ABOUT 69 CALL RETURN:
Only works on calls within your defined calling area.
If you choose to return a call and the number is busy, ✱69
Call Return will place your call next in line. In most cases, your telephone will ring with a series of short-short-long rings when the number you called is
no longer busy.

Cancel Call Waiting

Avoid Call Waiting interruptions for the duration of a call you are on
or about to make.
4To Cancel Call Waiting Before Placing a Call:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 70.
2. Dial the telephone number.
4To Cancel Call Waiting During a Call:
1. Press and release the hookswitch.
2. Press 70.
Note: You will automatically reconnect to your call.
11
NOTES ABOUT CANCEL CALL WAITING:
Cancel Call Waiting works only for the length of the call.
In some areas, you can only use Cancel Call Waiting before
Call Waiting returns to your telephone automatically when you hang up.
placing a call. If you try to use it during a call, you will hear a rapid busy signal.

Anonymous Call Rejection

Back to Table of Contents
Avoid calls from anyone who blocks their name and number
from appearing on Caller ID. Blocked callers hear a message that instructs them to remove their blocking and call again.
4To Turn the Service ON:
Listen for a dialtone and press ✱77.
Note: A recording or confirmation tone will tell you that your Anonymous Call
Reject is ON.
4 To Turn the Service OFF:
Listen for a dialtone and press ✱87.
Note: A recording or confirmation tone will tell you that your Anonymous Call
Reject is OFF.

Call Screening Services

Each of the four Call Screening Services listed below allows you
to set up a separate list of up to 12 telephone numbers from within your defined calling area.
1. ✱63 Selective Call Forwarding
2. ✱64 Selective Call Acceptance
3. 60 Selective Call Rejection
4. VIP Alert
These four calling services screen your incoming calls by using
your special list of telephone numbers. You may change each list of telephone numbers at any time. You may also turn any of these services ON or OFF and each list is saved for use when needed.
12
NOTES ABOUT CALL SCREENING SERVICES:
The first time you use each Call Screening Service, a
Once you are familiar with the instructions, you may
In some areas, calls made through the operator cannot be
recording will tell you how to turn the service ON.
interrupt the recording at any time by entering the desired code or telephone number.
screened.

63 Selective Call Forwarding

Back to Table of Contents
✱63 Selective Call Forwarding lets you choose which calls should
be forwarded when you are away from your home or office. Only calls from numbers on your 63 Selective Call Forwarding list will forward.
4To Turn ON/OFF/Update List:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 63.
2. A recording will provide detailed instructions on how to turn 63 Selective Call Forwarding ON or OFF, and how to change or review your list. The telephone numbers you enter on your 63 Selective Call Forwarding list will be repeated to you.
NOTES ABOUT 63 SELECTIVE CALL FORWARDING:
If your 63 Selective Call Forwarding list is full, you must
When 63 Selective Call Forwarding is ON and
• You will hear one short ring.
• You cannot answer a forwarded call at your telephone.
• The number to which you have forwarded your calls
• All other calls not on your 63 Selective Call
• If you also have Call Forwarding turned ON, all
Note: In some areas, press 83 to turn OFF Selective Call Forwarding.
erase one number before you can add another.
You may forward calls to any local or long distance number.
If you forward calls to a long distance telephone number, you will incur long distance charges for the duration of each completed call.
a call forwards:
will ring normally.
Forwarding list will ring your telephone with normal ringing and can be answered.
other calls from telephone numbers not on your 63 Selective Call Forwarding list will forward to the number you have chosen as the Call Forward destination.
13
64 Selective Call Acceptance
Back to Table of Contents
Avoid interruptions without missing important calls. Use 64
Selective Call Acceptance to screen your calls and only allow certain numbers to ring through (program up to 12 numbers at a time). Any callers not on your list will hear a recording saying you are not presently accepting calls.
4To Turn ON/OFF/Update List:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 64.
2. A recording will provide detailed instructions on how to turn 64 Selective Call Acceptance ON or OFF, and how to change or review your list. The telephone numbers you enter on your 64 Selective Call Acceptance screening list will be repeated to you.
NOTES ABOUT 64 SELECTIVE CALL ACCEPTANCE:
If your 64 Selective Call Acceptance list is full, you must
erase one number before you can add another.
✱64 Selective Call Acceptance will turn OFF automatically if
there are no telephone numbers on your list.
14

60 Selective Call Rejection

Use 60 Selective Call Rejection to avoid calls from specific
numbers (block up to 12 numbers at a time). Blocked callers hear a message that says you are not presently accepting calls.
4To Turn ON/OFF/Update List:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 60.
2. Listen to recorded instructions for blocking options. The
3. The number of the last person who called you may be
Note: In some areas, press 80 to turn OFF 60 Selective Call Rejection.
telephone numbers you enter on your “blocked” list will be repeated to you.
added to your “blocked” list even if you do not know the number (follow recorded instructions).
NOTES ABOUT 60 SELECTIVE CALL REJECTION:
Back to Table of Contents
Calls made to you from outside your defined calling area or
through the operator may not be blocked.
If your “blocked” list is full, you must erase one number
before you can add another.

VIP Alert

Identify special callers by the sound of the ring. Program your VIP
Alert screening list with the numbers of preferred callers (program up to 12 numbers at a time) and your telephone will identify them with a special ring (short-long-short) when they call.
4To Turn ON/OFF/Update List:
1. Listen for a dialtone and press 61.
2. A recording will provide detailed instructions on how to turn VIP Alert ON or OFF, and how to change or review your list. The telephone numbers you enter on your VIP Alert screening list will be repeated to you.
Note: In some areas, press 82 to turn OFF VIP Alert.
15
NOTES ABOUT VIP ALERT:
If your VIP Alert list is full, you must erase one number
before you can add another.
VIP Alert will ring your telephone with a series of short-
long-short rings when the number of the caller matches one of the numbers on your VIP Alert screening list.
Any calls made to you from outside your defined calling
area or through the operator will ring normally.
Speed Call (8 Or 30)
Speed Call (8 or 30) allows you to create a list of telephone
numbers that can be called by using a one or two-digit code.
4To Create Your Speed Call List:
1. Assign a code to each of the telephone numbers.
2. Listen for a dialtone and press 74# (or in some areas 74)
Back to Table of Contents
for Speed Call 8 or listen for a dialtone and press 75# (or in some areas 75) for Speed Call 30.
3. Wait for a second dialtone, then dial the code you want to
assign and the telephone number you want the code to represent.
4. Listen for two brief tones to confirm that your number has been accepted; hang up or wait for a dialtone.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to add each number to your Speed Call list or to change an existing number.
4 For Speed Call 8, assign a one-digit code (2–9)
Example: 2 (code) 555-1234 (telephone number)
or 2 (code)1-123-555-1234 (long distance number)
4For Speed Call 30, assign a two-digit code (20 – 49)
Example: 20 (code) 555-1234 (telephone number)
or 20 (code) 1-123-555-1234 (long distance number)
4To Call a Number on Your Speed Call List:
1. Dial the assigned code for the number you want to call.
2. Press #.
Note: The number will be dialed for you after a short pause.
16
NOTES ABOUT SPEED CALL:
When saving a long distance number, enter 1 and the area
The maximum number of digits you can program per
code followed by the telephone number.
telephone number is 28 (to allow for access codes, area code, and telephone number).

Quick Start

Back to Table of Contents
FEATURE ACTIVATE CANCEL
Call Waiting hookswitch (or flash)
3-Way Calling hookswitch ( or flash)
66 Busy Redial 66 86
Call Forwarding (Variable) All Calls 72 73
Busy 90 91 No Answer 92 93 Busy/No Answer 90 + 92 91 + 93
Call Forwarding (Fixed) All Calls 41 43
69 Call Return 69 89
Cancel Call Waiting 70 hang up
Anonymous Call Rejection 77 87
63 Selective Call Forwarding ✱63
64 Selective Call Acceptance ✱64
60 Selective Call Rejection ✱60
VIP Alert 61
Speed Call 8 74# (or in some areas 74)
Speed Call 30 75# (or in some areas 75)
If you need additional help, please contact CenturyLink at:
Residential Customers 1.800.201.4099
Business Customers 1.800.201.4102
Simple Choice® does not apply to metered/measured line service, PBX accounts, or Centrex accounts. Call Waiting ID is an enhancement of Caller ID. Both Caller ID and Call Waiting ID work only with a display unit, which is sold separately. Custom er may dial *67 (Touchtone) or 1167 (Rotary) prior to placing a call to block cust omer's calling information. Depending on the Voice Mail plan you have selected and system availability, some feat ures may not be available; you will not be prompted with these options. Caller ID and other Simple Cho ice hundred percent effective. Services not available everywhere. CenturyLink may change, cancel or substitute services, or vary them by service area at its sole discretion wit hout notice. Services governed by tari ffs at www.centurylink.com/ratesandcond itions. Requires subscripti on to qualifying calling plan from CenturyLink . Stated rates exclude taxes, fees and surcharges and appl y while customer subscribes to all qualifying services. I f one or more se rvices are cancelled, the standard monthly fee may apply to each remaining service(s). ©2010 CenturyTel, Inc. All Rights Res erved. The name CenturyLink and the pathways logo are tr ademarks of CenturyTel, Inc.
®
products may not be one
Did you know you could get any or all of the calling features in this guide with a Simple Choice® Bundle plan? If you have a Simple Choice® Bundle plan, did you know you can customize your features at any time without any additional charges? For more information, please contact CenturyLink at 1.800.201.4099 for residential services.
CALLFEATGUIDE2/10
Loading...