Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Switching => Electronic Switching => Topic started by: Babybearjs on July 22, 2014, 01:49:51 PM

Title: custom calling features
Post by: Babybearjs on July 22, 2014, 01:49:51 PM
I asked Phil about the old custom calling features the phone company used to offer, you used to be able to access them through both rotary and TT service. now, I have a 464 sitting on my desk, and guess what.... I need to check my VM.... back in the day, you used to be able to dial 1198 to access the system... so I tried it... it still works, sort of.... I can get into the system, but don't know how to access the commands... what do you use for the # key?? the * key? I guess I'm going to have to use my other extention.... a 2564....
Title: Re: custom calling features
Post by: jsowers on July 22, 2014, 02:21:02 PM
From my trusty 1994-95 Southern Bell directory...

Call Waiting: 1170
Three-way Calling: 1171
Setup Speed Calling 8: Dial 74 then dial the number, 1-8
Setup Speed Calling 30: Dial 75 and then dial the number 20-49
To dial a Speed Calling number, just dial the one number.
Call Forwarding: 72
Call Forwarding cancel: 73

Touchstar Service:
Call Return: 1169
Call Return cancel: 1189
Repeat Dialing: 1166
Repeat Dialing cancel: 1186
Call Selector (screens incoming calls): 1161
To add number to screening list: 12
Call Selector off: 1181
Call Block: 1160
Call Block off: 1180
Preferred Call Forwarding: 1163
Preferred Call Forwarding off: 1183
Per Call Caller ID blocking: 1167

That's all it lists. If you know the touch-tone equivalent, 11 subs for the asterisk (*) and 12 subs for the pound (#). My aunt used to have this, with two old black 1964 500 sets. She programmed in all her speed dialing numbers, which is great for someone who has never touched a computer.
Title: Re: custom calling features
Post by: Babybearjs on July 23, 2014, 02:25:09 PM
thanks, I'll try the 11 and 12 command and see if they work... hopefully the newer systems are programmed the same...
Title: Re: custom calling features
Post by: poplar1 on July 23, 2014, 04:32:03 PM
Some centralized Voice Mail systems have the option of setting up your mailbox so that no password is necessary when calling from home, and sometimes they will then immediately start playing the messages without your having to enter anything.  When calling from home, you would probably have to dial *98 or the number for the Message Center, and not your own phone number, when you want to reach the VM Message Center. The SMDI link will identify you as the mailbox owner.
Title: Re: custom calling features
Post by: Babybearjs on July 23, 2014, 09:00:09 PM
using the 1178 to get to the update center worked, but trying to dial in your password didn't... We are on a N.E. DMS-100 CO switch, so I don't think the programming is all there the way it used to be.... even though it sees the rotary pulses, it doesn't like the password entries.  anyone know how to get around this through a rotary dial phone??
Title: Re: custom calling features
Post by: Weco355aman on July 23, 2014, 09:33:30 PM
The Password and changing settings are done outside of the DMS. The dial pulse will ONLY work on internal features.
DMS never had internal voice mail. It was done with Octel in (U.S.West) Area. Speedial is part of the dms, call forwarding and
call control features.
Title: Re: custom calling features
Post by: poplar1 on July 24, 2014, 12:10:28 AM
BellSouth (now at&t) used Octel and another manufacturer for their Voice Mail. I'm not sure if the following instructions apply to both formats. The feature I was trying to remember is "Autoplay"---where you don't have to dial "1" to listen to your messages. Some systems have the (user programmable) option to skip the password as well, IF you are calling from the line that has the mailbox.

from at&t website (for copper based landlines):

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB403163&cv=807&ct=9003265&pv=2

Listen to messages

    Access voicemail.
    Press 1 to listen to your messages.
    After each message you have the option to repeat, save, delete, reply or forward a copy. It's as easy as following the voice instructions.

Important Note

You don't have to press 1 if the Autoplay feature is on
. To turn AutoPlay on or off, enter 9-2-1 from the Mailbox Options menu.