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Consumer Information

      
   
Custom Calling Features
What are custom calling features?
Custom calling features are optional services that are meant to help customers make better use of their telephone service. Examples include call waiting, three-way calling, and voice mail. They are available from your local telephone company. The menu of custom calling features varies by local company. Not all offer the same services and the names of the features may also differ.


How are these services billed?
Each local telephone company has its own features, rates, and packages. These services and their prices may not be regulated; the charges will vary by phone company. The two most common billing options are monthly flat rate and per-use rate.
  • Monthly flat rate means that you pay a fixed amount each month for unlimited use of the custom calling service. Watch for whether additional costs may apply, particularly with voice mail. (for instance, with some services, per call charges may apply in addition to the feature price.)
  • Per-use rate means that you are billed each time the service is used. For example, if a feature costs $.75 each time it is used, and you use the feature ten times in a month, you will be billed $7.50. There may not be a ceiling on how much you can be billed in one month through this option, so watch your usage carefully. Blocking options may be available to prevent unwanted use.
Many local telephone companies offer custom calling feature packages. Your local telephone company may group features together and offer them at a lower price than if you bought each service separately. However, if you only want one feature, it is usually not necessary to buy a whole package.


Call Waiting
This feature provides a signal during a call to indicate to a customer that another party is trying to call.
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Enhanced Call Waiting
This service combines the features of Call Waiting and Cancel Call Waiting (which lets the customer turn off the call waiting feature) to prevent Call Waiting tones from interrupting calls or disrupting data transmission.
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Return Call or Call Back
The return call code in Wisconsin is *69.This feature allows a customer to place a call to the telephone number of the last call received.  Some phone companies also provide the original caller's name and phone number to the customer using the call back feature, provided that the original caller did not dial *67 prior to placing the call.
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Three-Way Calling
This feature holds an existing call, while a second call can be made and added to the first connection, allowing all three parties to participate. It is available on a presubscription or pay-per-use basis. To avoid accidentally activating the three-way feature, be sure to allow at least 2 seconds in between placing calls.
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Speed Dialing
This feature allows a customer to call certain predetermined telephone numbers by dialing a code rather than the entire telephone number. If your telephone set has a programming option for speed dialing by code, then you don't need to subscribe to the monthly service.
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Call Forwarding
This feature transfers your incoming calls to another telephone number. You are charged for the cost of the feature as well as for the transferred call.
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Call Screening
This feature allows the customer to block incoming calls originating from specific telephone numbers.
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Caller ID
This feature allows the customer to view, on a display unit, the telephone number of an incoming call. This ability to view numbers of callers depends on the interconnection agreements between participating carriers. Not all numbers will be displayed. Customers who have non-listed or non-published numbers are not automatically blocked from having their information displayed on a caller ID unit. To block your number from appearing when you make a call, dial *67 before calling. Customers may shop around for the display unit. Public safety agencies and victims of domestic violence may receive free per-line blocking.
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Caller ID with Name
This feature allows the customer to view, on a display unit, the name and telephone number of an incoming call. Same notes as above.
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Call Tracing
This feature allows the customer to trace harassing, threatening, or obscene phone calls. The call record, which may or may not identify the caller's number, is stored by the phone company and, if appropriate, may be released only to law enforcement. You may be required to file a police report. Contact your phone company's Nuisance or Annoyance Call Bureau.
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Voice Mail
This feature is like an answering machine; it allows callers to leave messages. Additional costs for local calls to receive and access messages may apply. Voice mail service may also be available from vendors other than your local phone company.
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Distinctive Ring
This feature allows a customer to know who the call is for by the sound of the ring.
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Repeat Dialing
This feature monitors a busy phone number, alerts the customer with a special ring when the line is free, and dials the phone number. It is available on a presubscription or pay-per-use basis.
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Wire Maintenance
The condition of the telephone lines inside the home is the consumer's responsibility, and the lines may be repaired by any qualified technician or firm. This option allows customers to pay the telephone company each month in exchange for the telephone company repairing inside wiring problems if they develop. This is an unregulated service of the telephone company.
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Call Manager Service
Offered only in some Ameritech service areas, this feature blocks access to all long distance services except a limited number of predetermined numbers.
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PIC Freeze Protection
A freeze on your Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC) designation means that long distance companies cannot change your carrier without your express consent. The freeze is designed to prevent slamming. Pitfalls: It will not prevent slamming by certain companies that resell service on other companies' long distance networks.
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Remember that custom calling features and rates may vary between local telephone companies. If you have any questions about any custom calling feature, contact your local telephone company.