Chapter 7: Better Phones; Quality Sound

Better Call Handling

ISDN also offers better call handling - that is, the ability to control, route and manage phone calls. Virtually all ISDN telephones have liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) linked to the D channel.

The result: useful telephone functions are offered as simple softkey options under the LCD screen, rather than buried in a complex system of dialing codes. Some of the universally available functions include hold, call transfer to another number, and three-way conferencing.

A broad range of additional features are also becoming available, depending on the type of switch that serves a location, and the functionality available in that switch. For ISDN Centrex users, many of these features are available now for calls within the same switch. Features include:

Call Forwarding, Busy. Forwards calls when the called number is busy or unanswered.

Call Forwarding, Variable. Incoming calls can be forwarded at the central office switch (which means quickly and transparently) to off-site locations, car and mobile phones.

Directed Call Pickup. Calls from specific numbers or extensions can be automatically forwarded to another number.

Call Pickup. Lets calls be answered from another phone.