Local Phone Services

What is my calling area?

Your local calling area consists of your exchange and the prefixes you can call, toll free, from that exchange.  Local calling areas are determined by the exchange.

What areas can I call free of charge?

You can make local calls at no charge to each of the areas listed for the exchange where your telephone is located. Not all prefixes in your area represent a local call. (See What is my calling area? and What is Extended Area Service?)

What is Extended Area Service?
Extended Area Service allows you to make toll free calls to areas outside your local calling area. 

What is Call Forwarding?

Incoming calls may be automatically redirected to another telephone number. Five variations of this service are available.

What is Caller ID?

Determine the calling party’s name and telephone number before you answer the call. A special device is required for this feature. 

What is Repeat Dialing?

Repeat Dialing allows you to dial an activation code after you have dialed a number that is busy. Repeat dialing will continue to attempt to reach that number for 30 minutes. 

What is Speed Dialing?

Speed Dialing lets you store 8 or 30 frequently called numbers and place calls to them by dialing a one or two digit code. This includes long distance numbers that are accessible by direct distance dialing. 

What is Three-way Calling?

Add a third party to an existing telephone conversation. This feature reduces the need for callbacks when trying to confirm plans and schedules. It also brings families, friends, and colleagues together. 

Can I control what long distance calls are made from my phone?

Yes. Toll Control allows you to control long distance calls being placed from your telephone. Long distance calls can be made only with the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Can I prevent long distance calls being made from my phone?

Yes. Toll Restriction prevents long distance calls from being placed from your telephone.

Am I responsible for the inside wiring of my home or office?

Yes. SWTC offers an affordable inside wiring protection plan that can protect you from expensive repairs. 

Can I control who calls my number?

While you cannot keep anyone from dialing your number, you can restrict which calls go through. Our Special Call Acceptance plan provides you with additional privacy and security so only the most important calls reach you. 

Can I block anonymous calls?

Yes. Our Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR) plan rejects all calls that have been marked anonymous by the calling party. 

Can I screen calls without using an answering machine or Caller ID?

Yes. Our Call Screening plan allows you to create a list of numbers from which you do not want to receive calls. 

Can I trace a call from my phone?

Yes. By using Call Trace, you can request a trace on a call. There is a charge for each completed trace. 

Can I do anything about telemarketing calls?

Yes. You can ask to be put on the Texas Do Not Call list and you can also add ourTelemarketing – Do Not Disturb feature to your phone. 

Can I keep my name and number from appearing on Caller ID?

Yes. Our Calling Number Blocking plan offers both per-line blocking and per-call blocking.

Can I receive voice mail messages even if I don’t have an answering machine?

Yes. SWTC offers two plans for receiving voice messages without the need of an answering machine. 

Can more than one person receive voice mail on the same line?

Yes. Up to five additional mailboxes may be added to the system. 

Can I have my voice mail give a greeting but not take any messages?

Yes. An Announcement Only mailbox delivers a greeting or informational message to the caller, but does not allow the caller to leave a message. 

Can I customize a voice mail plan to suit my needs?

Yes. Our business office can help you design a plan that will work best for you and your family or business.

Can I setup my SWTC voice mail myself?

Voice Mail is easy to set up, but many customers prefer to have us handle everything. Our business office can set everything up for you for a nominal one-time fee.