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Telephone Calling Features

To learn about how calling features work, please click on the feature for more information.

Call Transfer

You can transfer a call to another number or add a third person to a call. When you’re ready to hang up, the other two people can continue their conversation. A subscriber must have Three-Way Calling to use this feature.

Call Transfer To transfer a call:

  1. Press and quickly release the “switchhook” to place the person you’re talking with on hold.
  2. Listen for the dial tone.
  3. Dial the third person’s phone number. (If you have speed calling, you may dial one of your codes instead.)
  4. When the third person answers, you can talk privately before making it a three-way conversation.
  5. To complete the transfer, press and quickly release the “switchhook”. You can now talk with both people at the same time.
  6. Hang up. The other two people can continue their conversation.

To cancel the transfer:

  1. You can cancel the transfer at any time – if the third person did not answer, you received a busy signal or recording, or you wish to cancel the transfer after talking to the third person. Just press and release the “switchhook” twice. You’ll be reconnected to the person holding.

Note: Any chargeable or long distance calls you place for the transfer or three-way conversation will be billed to your number. The “switchhook” is the button the handset pushes down when you hang up the phone. Some telephones have a Link or Flash key you can press instead.

Call Forwarding

You can program your calls to ring at another number. Each time a call is forwarded, your phone will make one short ring. It can still be used to make outgoing calls.

To “turn on” the service with a variable number:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial *72 and the 10 digit number you want to forward to. (ex: *72-555-555-5555)
  3. You will hear two short beeps, and the phone will call the number you have forwarded to.
  4. Answer the call on the forwarded line.
  5. Hang up the phone and you will have completed forwarding your line.

To “turn on” the service with a fixed number:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial *72.
  3. You will hear one short beep to indicate that call forwarding is now enabled.

To “turn off” the service:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for dial tone.
  2. Press *73.
  3. You will hear two short beeps to indicate the service has been turned off.

Note: Dial the number exactly as if you are calling directly. For a local number, dial the 7-digit phone number. For a long distance number, dial “1” plus the area code. Or if you have speed calling, you may dial one of your codes instead.

Call Forward Busy

Whenever you’re on the phone, you can be sure your callers can talk with someone else or can leave a message for you. Easily turn it on or off, or change the forwarding number — anytime.

To change the service:

At the present time this feature cannot be changed by the customer.
To change this feature please call Farmers Mutual Telephone Company at: (208) 452-4241.

Call Forward No Answer

If you can’t get to the phone, you can be sure that your calls won’t go unanswered. You can easily change the forwarding number — even choosing how many times your phone should ring.

To change the service:

At the present time this feature cannot be changed by the customer.
To change this feature please call Farmers Mutual Telephone Company at: 452-4241

Call Forwarding Remote Access

You can use a touch-tone telephone at another location to change your Call Forwarding on your home or business phone.

To access your telephone’s Call Forward service remotely:

  1. Lift the handset of any touch-tone phone and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial the Call Forward access number provided by your telephone company.
  3. After the line rings, listen for the special dial tone.
  4. Dial your seven-digit home or business telephone number that has Call Forward.
  5. Dial your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
  6. Listen for the special dial tone. You are now ready to change your Call Forward.
Call Waiting

You can use your telephone without missing other calls. A special tone alerts you to a waiting call; the person calling you hears normal ringing.

To answer a waiting call:

  1. When you’re on the phone, a special tone tells you a second call is waiting.
  2. Simply press and quickly release the “switchhook” on your telephone. Your first caller is automatically placed on hold, while you’re connected with the second caller.

If you choose not to answer the incoming call:

  1. You’ll hear a special tone to remind you of the waiting call.

To alternate between callers:

  1. Simply press and quickly release the “switchhook.” While you talk with one caller, the other will automatically be placed on hold. Each conversation remains private.

To end either call:

  1. Hang up.
  2. Your phone will ring.
  3. When you answer, you’ll be connected with the remaining caller.

To “turn off” Call Waiting before making a call:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press *70, (on a rotary phone, dial 1170)
  3. Listen for the confirmation tone.
  4. Dial the telephone number you wish to call. Now, your call will not be interrupted by the Call Waiting tone. Other callers will hear a busy signal.
  5. After you hang up, Call Waiting automatically “turns on” again.

To “turn off” Call Waiting during a call:

  1. Press and release the “switchhook”
  2. Press *70, (on a rotary phone, dial 1170)
  3. Listen for the confirmation tone. You’ll automatically be reconnected to your call.
  4. After you hang up, Call Waiting automatically “turns on” again.

Note: You must have Three-Way Calling to “turn off” Call Waiting during a call. The “switchhook” is the button the handset pushes down when you hang up the phone. Some telephones have a Link or Flash key you can press instead.

Selective Call Rejection

You can selectively reject numbers that you add to a list.

To program your Selective Call Rejection list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press *60. (on a rotary phone, dial 1160)
  3. Follow the instructions to add or remove numbers from your list.
Speed Calling 8

You can enter up to eight telephone numbers — local or long distance — into your Speed Calling list. Afterwards, you can reach those people by dialing just one digit.

To program your Speed Calling list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press *74. (on a rotary phone, dial 1174)
  3. Listen for the dial tone.
  4. Dial a one-digit speed code. (Choose any number, 2 through 9.)
  5. Dial the telephone number you wish to assign to that speed code. (For long distance calls, be sure to include “1” plus the area code.)
  6. Press the # key. (On a rotary phone, wait four seconds after dialing.)
  7. Listen for the confirmation tone.

To call someone on your Speed Calling list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial the one-digit speed code, then press the # key. (On a rotary phone, wait four seconds after dialing.)

To change your Speed Calling list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press *74. (on a rotary phone, dial 1174)
  3. Listen for the dial tone.
  4. Dial the one-digit speed code you wish to change.
  5. Listen for the cancellation tone, then the dial tone. Follow steps 4-7 above to program your Speed Calling list.
Speed Calling 30

You can program up to 30 telephone numbers — local or long distance — into your Speed Calling list. Afterwards, you can reach those people by dialing just two digits.

To program your Speed Calling list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press *75. (on a rotary phone, dial 1175)
  3. Listen for the dial tone.
  4. Dial a two-digit speed code. (Choose any number, 20 through 49.)
  5. Dial the telephone number you wish to assign to that speed code. (For long distance calls, be sure to include “1” plus the area code.)
  6. Press the # key. (On a rotary phone, wait four seconds after dialing.)
  7. Listen for the confirmation tone.

To call someone on your Speed Calling list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial the two-digit speed code, then press the # key. (On a rotary phone, wait four seconds after dialing.)

To change your Speed Calling list:

  1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press *75. (on a rotary phone, dial 1175)
  3. Listen for the dial tone.
  4. Dial the two-digit speed code you wish to change.
  5. Listen for the cancellation tone, then the dial tone. Follow steps 4-7 above to program your Speed Calling list.
Three-Way Calling

When you’re talking with someone, you can add a third person to the call. It’s easy to coordinate family schedules or hold a telephone conference with business colleagues.

To add a third person to the call:

  1. Press and quickly release the “switchhook” to place the first person on hold.
  2. Listen for the dial tone.
  3. Dial the third person’s phone number. (If you have speed calling, you may dial one of your codes instead)
  4. When the third person answers, you can talk privately before making it a three-way conversation.
  5. To make the three-way connection, press and quickly release the “switchhook”. You can now talk with both people at the same time.

To cancel the three-way connection:

  1. If the third person did not answer or you wish to disconnect them, just press and quickly release the “switchhook”. You’ll be reconnected to the person holding.
  2. Or if either of the two people hang up, you can continue talking with the remaining person.

To end the call completely:

  1. Simply hang up.

Note: The “switchhook” is the button the handset pushes down when you hang up the phone. Some telephones have a Link or Flash key you can press instead.

Wire Maintenance

This service covers trouble location and repair of your inside telephone wire and jacks. The plan covers repair to existing, working jacks and wiring but not initial installation.

This service covers trouble location and repair of your inside telephone wire and jacks. Inside telephone wire is defined as the wire that runs from your connection point (usually a small box on the outside of your home) to the telephone jacks or outlets inside your home that you plug your phone into. Inside wire does not include complex wire or cable that is connected to electronic systems.

“Trouble location” means that we will identify whether the problem is in your inside wire and telephone set. We will repair or correct the trouble in a reasonable manner so we may reroute wire along baseboards or some other location to avoid construction. The plan covers repair to existing, working jacks and wiring, but not initial installation. At least one jack in your home must be working before the plan in effective. Coverage does not cover trouble which exists prior to establishing telephone service or prior to establishing the plan.

Voice Mail

If you are tired of missing calls and hassling with answering machines, Voice Mail will answer your calls when you cannot. All you need is a touch-tone phone. You can access your messages from any touch-tone phone, anywhere and anytime.

To activate your mailbox:

  1. Pick up your handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial 208-452-2345 and wait for the welcome message.
  3. Follow the voice instructions to set up your mailbox.
  4. Enter a pin: When prompted, enter a 4 to 20 digit number to use as your secret pin.
  5. Record a name: When prompted, speak into the handset to record your name, your family name, or your business name. Whatever name you record here is how you will be greeted when you enter Voice Mail.
  6. Record a greeting: When prompted, speak into your handset to record your message. **
  7. Voice Mail is now ready for use.

To check your messages from your telephone:

  1. Pick up your handset. If you hear a stutter tone, you have a new message. If you hear a normal tone, you have no new messages and can hang up. Otherwise, continue.
  2. Dial 208-452-2345 and follow the voice instructions.
  3. When finished, press * to exit Voice Mail and hang up.

To check your messages from another location:

  1. Pick up your handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Dial 208-452-2345.
  3. Enter your telephone number with the area code followed by #.
  4. Enter your pin followed by #.
  5. When finished, press * to exit Voice Mail and hang up.

**Note: We suggest that you write your greeting down to make it easier when it comes time to record your message.