Calling Features

Southwest Texas Communications offers many enhanced features that will allow you to use your telephone more effectively. We have divided these features into five categories including: Caller Identification, Call Forwarding, Miscellaneous Items, Privacy Services, and Voice Mail Options. The specifics of Call Forwarding including details, operation, and price are discussed on this page. Select one of the feature categories from the menu above to see information for feature. Contact our business office to request any of these features. Our customer service representatives are ready to assist you. No additional service charges apply if a feature is included in the initial service installation. A $5.00 service charge will be applied if a feature is added or changed at a later time.

 

 

Incoming calls may be automatically redirected to another telephone number under various circumstances. Five variations of this service are available and are described below.
Incoming calls that encounter a busy condition are automatically forwarded to another telephone number. Available at no charge.
  • Fixed. The receiving number is is designated by the subscriber when the service is ordered and the service is always active.
  • Variable. The receiving number may be changed by the subscriber as desired and the service may be turned on and off.
  • Activate:
  • Press * 9 0
  • Enter the Receiving Number
  • Deactivate:
  • Press * 9 1
  • Wait for the Confirmation Tone
The receiving number is selected by you and permanently programmed by us. Available at no charge.
  • Activate:
  • Press * 6 8
  • Deactivate:
  • Press * 8 8
Incoming calls which are not answered after a customer-designated interval (2-10 rings) are automatically forwarded to another telephone number. Available at no charge.
  • Fixed. The receiving number is is designated by the subscriber when the service is ordered and the service is always active.
  • Variable. The receiving number may be changed by the subscriber as desired and the service may be turned on and off.
  • Activate:
  • Press * 9 2
  • Enter the Receiving Number
  • Deactivate:
  • Press * 9 3
  • Wait for the Confirmation Tone
Preferred Call Forwarding allows you to create a list of up to six incoming numbers that you want to have forwarded to another telephone number. A call that arrives from a telephone number on your list is forwarded when this feature is activated. All other calls will ring your phone in the normal fashion. Preferred Call Forwarding allows you to avoid having to wait for important calls. Many people use Preferred Call Forwarding to transfer important calls to a cellular phone when they are on the road. $2.00 per month.
Operation:
  • Press * 6 3
  • Follow the Instructions to:
    • Turn Forwarding On or Off
    • Change the Forwarding List
    • Enter the Receiving Number
    • Confirm the Receiving Number
    • Change the Receiving Number
  • 0 – Repeat the Instructions
  • 1 – Review the Forwarding List
  • 3 – Turn Forwarding On or Off
  • # – Add a Number to the Forwarding List
  • (dial 12 on rotary phones)
  • * – Delete a Number from the Forwarding List
  • (dial 11 on rotary phones)
  • 8 – Delete all Numbers from the Forwarding List
The call forwarding feature may be activated or deactivated from a location other than the main telephone. This feature requires a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for security. The PIN number will be the last 4 digits of the telephone number unless otherwise instructed.. You should change this to your own unique number as soon as the service is activated. $1.50 per month.
  • Change or Deactivate:
  • Press Your 3-digit Exchange Prefix + 1 9 8 8
  • Follow the Instructions to:
    • You may activate or deactive your Call Forwarding by following steps for Call Forward.
The user selects the receiving number when call forwarding is activated. Available at no charge.
  • Activate:
  • Press * 7 2
  • Wait for a Dial Tone
  • Enter the Receiving Number
  • Wait for the Confirmation Tone
  • Deactivate:
  • Press * 7 3
Determine the calling party’s name and telephone number before you answer the call. A special display device is required for this feature. This device can be attached to your existing telephone or you can purchase a telephone that is capable of displaying the caller’s name and number. The Caller ID device can store the names and telephone numbers of people who called, even while you were away from your phone. You can easily review these names and numbers and return those calls. Available at no charge.
Operation:
  • Wait for the second full ring when you are called.
  • The name and telephone number of the calling party will appear on your display.
  • Refer to the instructions for your Caller ID display device for more information.
Please read the Calling Number Blocking section if you wish to maintain the privacy of your unlisted telephone number or if you simply do not wish for your name and telephone number to be shown on Caller ID displays. The Caller ID device will display a message such as private or anonymous if a call is received from someone who has blocked his or her line.
It is also possible that a call originated by another telephone company or a call carried by a long distance company will not support the Caller ID feature. The Caller ID device will display a message such as out of area or no data sent in that case.
Call Return makes it possible for you to return a call to the last person who called you or attempted to call you. Call Return eliminates the aggravation of rushing to the telephone only to find that the person on the other end has hung up. $2.00 per month.
Operation:
  • Press * 6 9
  • The Last Calling Number is Announced
    • Press 1 to Return the Call
    • Hang Up to Not Return the Call
  • An Announcement May Say the Line is Busy
    • Hang Up
    • A Short-Short-Long Ring Shows the Line is Free
    • Lift the Handset to Initiate the Call
Call Waiting alerts you that another party is trying to contact you while you are engaged in a telephone conversation. You can answer the incoming call and talk privately without losing the original party. You can also alternate between the parties. Don’t miss that important phone call! Available at no charge.
Operation:
  • Press the flash button or depress and release the switch hook to put the original party on hold when you are notified of the incoming call by a Call Waiting alert tone. You are then connected to the calling party.
  • Press the flash button or depress and release the switch hook once for each transfer to alternate between parties.
  • Simply hang up if you wish to end the original conversation when you hear the Call Waiting alert tone. Your telephone then rings and you are connected to the new calling party.
It is possible to disable the Call Waiting feature for the duration of a call that is initiated by you:
  • Press * 7 0
  • Wait for a New Dial Tone
  • Dial the Telephone Number
Call Waiting will be restored once you terminate this call.

The name and telephone number of the calling party on a Call Waiting call will be shown on your Caller ID display in addition to hearing the normal Call Waiting tone. Available at no charge.

Distinctive Ring allows you to have a second telephone number without adding a second line. The original telephone number and the Distinctive Ring number are published as separate numbers, but both ring on your existing telephone line. The Distinctive Ring number will ring with a unique pattern so that you know someone is calling the second number. This unique ring is also recognized by most facsimile machines. You can publish a separate number for your fax machine and leave it connected to your main telephone line without interfering with normal voice calls. Only one call can be made or received at a time, even if you have more than one telephone on the line. $2.00 per month, discounted to $1.00 per month if combined with any other feature.

Priority Ringing allows you to program your telephone line to ring with a special ringing pattern whenever you are called from a select list of phone numbers. Your telephone will ring normally for all other calls. You will hear a distinctive Call Waiting tone whenever someone on your list calls you while you are on the phone if you have Call Waiting. Priority Ringing allows you to identify special or important calls and helps you to determine who is calling. $2.00 per month.
Operation:
  • Press * 6 1
  • Follow the Instructions to:
    • Turn Priority Ringing On or Off
    • Change the Priority Ringing List
  • 0 – Repeat Instructions
  • 1 – Review the Priority Ringing List
  • 3 – Turn Priority Ringing On or Off
  • # – Add a Number to the Priority Ringing List
  • * – Delete a Number from the Priority Ringing List
  • 8 – Delete all Numbers from the Priority Ringing List

You will hear a short-long-short ring or call waiting tone when Priority Ringing is turned on and you are called by one of the specified numbers. Calls from all other numbers will have a normal ring.

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. You will hear a short-short-long ring on your telephonewhen the number you are trying to reach becomes free. The other phone will start ringing when you lift your receiver. You can also use Repeat Dialing to redial the last number you called. $2.00 per month.
Operation:
  • Hang Up On a Busy Signal
  • Lift the Receiver
  • Wait for a Dial Tone
  • Press * 6 6
  • Wait for an Announcement or Three Beeps
  • Hang Up
  • Listen for a Short-Short-Long Ring
  • Lift the Handset to Initiate the Call
The call will go through normally if the line becomes free by the time you enter * 6 6. You will hear a recording informing you that the call cannot be made if the number you are trying to reach is outside the area served by Repeat Dialing. You may still make and receive other calls while Repeat Dialing is activated. You can use Repeat Dialing for more than one busy number at a time; however, when you hear the special ring you will not know which line is free.
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. Speed calling is available in the following two forms:
  • 8 Number. The speed dialing codes are the single digits 2–9. You can initiate and change the codes from your telephone.$1.50 per month.
  • 30 Number. The speed dialing codes are the double digits 20–49. You provide a list of numbers to us and we program the codes for you. $2.50 per month.
Dial the selected code and wait four seconds for the call to be placed.
  • Add a Number to the Speed Dial 8 List:
  • Press * 7 5
  • Enter the Speed Dial Code Number
  • Dial the Telephone Number to be Stored
  • Wait 4 Seconds for 2 Confirmation Tones
  • Hang Up
Repeat these steps for each telephone number to be stored, using a different Speed Dial code each time. Repeat the same procedure to replace a previously-stored number with a new one.
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. Available at no charge.
Operation:
  • Initiate a call to the first party.
  • Depress the switch hook or flash button, then listen for three beeps and a steady dial tone. The present call is placed on hold.
  • Dial the third party’s telephone number. Depress the switch hook or flash button twice to reconnect the first call if the new line is busy or doesn’t answer.
  • Depress the switch hook or flash button once to initiate the three-way call after the third party answers. You may privately converse with the third party as long as you wish before establishing the three-way call.
You may depress the switch hook at any time to drop the third party from the call after a three-way call is established. 

This feature 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). $1.50 per month.

Toll Restriction prevents long distance calls from being placed from your telephone. 1+ Toll Restriction prevents normal long distance calls that begin with a one from being dialed, but will allow calls that begin with a zero such as collect and calling card calls. 0+ Toll Restriction prevents normal long distance calls plus collect and calling card calls from being dialed. Toll-free “800” numbers may still be dialed with either 1+ or 0+ Toll Restriction. This feature requires a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for security. The default PIN is 7777. You should change this to your own unique number when the service is activated. $1.50 per month.
  • To Use:
  • Dial number desired (1-830-xxx-xxxx)
  • The message “this call is not permitted” will be heard.
  • Enter Passcode.
  • Change Your PIN:
  • Press * 1 2
  • Wait 4 Seconds
  • Enter Old PIN
  • Wait for a Dial Tone
  • Enter New PIN (3–7 digits)
  • Wait for a Dial Tone
  • Re-enter New PIN to Verify
Protect your home or business with the Inside Wiring Protection Plan. Inside wiring and jacks can be expensive to repair. One service call will cost, at a minimum, $35.00. We will locate and repair trouble inside your house, office, or building for $1.25 per month.

The Inside Wiring Protection Plan covers wiring and jacks in one structure. We will determine if the trouble is with the wiring and jacks or with your customer provided equipment such as answering machines, fax machines, and telephones. The plan does not include repairing such customer provided equipment.

Special Call Acceptance allows you to create a list of six telephone numbers from which you will receive calls. Any calls placed from a telephone number not on your list will hear the following recorded announcement: We’re sorry, the party you have dialed is not accepting calls at this time. Special Call Acceptance provides you with additional privacy and security by allowing only the most important calls to reach you. This feature also prevents unwanted interruptions. $2.00 per month.
Operation:
  • Press * 6 4
  • Follow the Instructions to:
    • Turn Call Acceptance On or Off
    • Change the Call Acceptance List
  • 0 – Repeat Instructions
  • 1 – Review the Call Acceptance List
  • 3 – Turn Call Acceptance On or Off
  • # – Add a Number to the Call Acceptance List
  • * – Delete a Number from the Call Acceptance List
  • 8 – Delete a Number from the Call Acceptance List
All calls that have been marked anonymous by the calling party are automatically rejected. The called party receives no alerting (ringing) for a call that has been rejected when ACR is active. The call is routed to a denial announcement and subsequently terminated. $1.00 per month.
  • Fixed. The ACR service is always active.
  • Variable. The subscriber must manually activate or deactive ACR.
  • Activate:
  • Press * 7 7
  • Deactivate:
  • Press * 8 7
Call Screening allows you to create a list of up to six telephone numbers from which you do not want to receive calls. Calls from telephone numbers on your list will get the following announcement: We’re sorry, the party you have dialed is not accepting calls at this time. $2.00 per month.
Operation:
  • Press * 6 0
  • Follow the Instructions to:
    • Turn Call Screening On or Off
    • Change the Call Screening List
  • 0 – Repeat Instructions
  • 1 – Review the Call Screening List
  • 3 – Turn Call Screening On or Off
  • # – Add a Number to the Call Screening List
  • * – Delete a Number from the Call Screening List
  • 8 – Delete all Numbers from the Call Screening List
You may wish to prevent a person from calling you in the future after receiving an annoying call. Call Screening’s voice instructions will explain how to add the number of the last caller to your list (even if you do not know the party’s number):
  • Hang Up on the Annoying Call
  • Lift the Receiver
  • Wait for a Dial Tone
  • Press * 6 0
  • Wait for the Instructions
  • Press # 0 1 #
Tired of prank or harassing telephone calls? Call Trace allows you to request a trace on an obscene, threatening, or harassing call. Just dial the special code to have the calling party’s telephone number printed at our office after receiving such a call. $8.00 for each completed trace.
Operation:
  • Hang Up on the Annoying Call
  • Lift the Receiver
  • Wait for a Dial Tone
  • Press * 5 7
  • Wait for the Tone or Announcement
A trace can be accomplished if an announcement tells you to enter “1.” You should call our business office for further instructions after activating Call Trace. It is important to activate Call Trace immediately after receiving a prank call. Call Trace will trace only the last call, so you will not trace the desired number if you delay and receive a subsequent incoming call before initiating the Call Trace. Note also that tracing will occur on the Call Waiting call rather than the original calling number if a Call Waiting tone is received during a call that is to be traced.

Now you can choose when you wish to answer calls from telemarketers. You have the option to activate and deactivate the Telemarketing—Do Not Disturb feature. The calling party hears the message: You have called a number which does not accept calls from telemarketers. If you are not a telemarketer and wish to complete this call, please press 1, when you activate this feature. $0.00 per month.

Prevent your name and telephone number from displaying on a Caller ID device. You can have your information blocked on every call you make or you can have it blocked on a per-call basis. No charge.
Per-line Blocking. Contact our business office for more information if you wish to block your name and telephone number automatically on every call you make. You will be able to send your name and telephone number on special calls.
Send Your Name and Telephone Number with Per-line Blocking:
  • Press * 8 2
  • Dial the Telephone Number You Are Calling
  • Your Information Will Display on the Recipient’s Caller ID Device
This will only send your name and telephone number on the call you make immediately after entering * 8 2. Your line will automatically revert back to Per-line Blocking after the call is complete. Per-line Blocking will not prevent your billing telephone number from being sent to 911 and to 700, 800, 900, or 950 service providers.
Per-call Blocking. You can block your name and telephone number from Caller ID displays on a call-by-call basis by entering a code before you make each call.
Block Your Name and Telephone Number with Per-call Blocking:
  • Press * 6 7
  • Dial the Telephone Number You Are Calling
  • The Recipient’s Caller ID Device Will Display a Message such as Private or Anonymous

Your information will be blocked only on those calls where you have entered * 6 7 prior to dialing the telephone number.

The latest communication service for home or business use. Voice Mail adds a confidential message service to your telephone line.There’s no equipment to buy or install. Sound quality is far superior to what can be achieved on an answering machine tape and you will be able to receive messages when your line is busy. Callers are directed to a computerized message center run by us whenever your line is unanswered or busy. They hear a greeting and are then able to leave a message for you. You can retrieve those messages at your convenience by calling your private Voice Mail telephone number.
All plans include the following standard mailbox features:
  • Messages may be Left from Any Telephone
  • Greeting may be Personalized from Any Touch Tone Telephone
  • PIN may be Changed from Any Touch Tone Telephone
  • Messages may be Retrieved from Any Touch Tone Telephone
  • Messages are Notated with the Time, Date, and Caller’s Telephone Number
  • Daily Notification is Given for New Messages (turn on/off)
  • Confirmation is Provided before Message Deletion
  • Forwarding to Voice Mail is Automatic on No Answer
  • Stutter Dial Tone Alerts You to a New Message
  • Messages may be Edited by the Caller
There is an activation charge of $5.00 for any of the Voice Mail plans. The Voice Mail number may be listed in the directory for $1.00 per month. Calling that number instead of your regular telephone number allows someone to leave you a voice message without ringing your telephone. There is an additional charge of $1.00 per month if you do not have regular telephone service, but only use Voice Mail. This service requires a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for security. The default PIN is 0000#. You should change this to your own unique number when the service is activated.
Access Your Voice Mailbox:
  • Enter the Voice Mail Telephone Number
  • Press * During the Greeting Message
  • You are Prompted to Enter Your PIN
  • Enter the PIN followed by the # Symbol
  • Main Menu:
    • 1 – Listen to New Messages
    • 2 – Listen to Saved Messages
    • 7 – Play Current Date and Time
    • 9 – Setup Options (change greeting, PIN, etc.)
    • * – Return to Main Menu
The Basic Plan adds the following capabilities. $0.00 per month:
  • 30 Second Greeting
  • Storage for 10 One Minute Incoming Messages
  • Old and New Messages Maintained for Seven Days
The Premium Plan provides additional capabilities. $3.95 per month:
  • 60 Second Greeting
  • Storage for 20 One Minute Incoming Messages
  • Old and New Messages Maintained for 14 Days
  • Urgent Notification or Per Message Notification (turn on/off)
  • Call Forward Busy or Call Waiting

One to five additional mailboxes may be added to the system. This allows multiple family members, employees, or business divisions to each have their own greeting and to receive their messages separately. An initial greeting explains each mailbox and asks the caller to make a selection. The specific message for the selected mailbox is then played and the caller leaves their message in that location. $1.00 per month for each additional mailbox plus a one-time $5.00 activation charge.

greeting-only or Announcement mailbox delivers a greeting or informational message to the caller, but does not allow the caller to leave a message. Thirty seconds is allowed for the announcement with the option to add additional time. $0.00 per month.

Customized voice mail is available for customers with special needs. Contact our business office for help designing a plan with the features that will work best for you and your family or business. We will quote prices for Custom Voice Mail on a case-by-case basis.

Voice Mail is easy to set up, but many customers prefer to have us handle everything. Our business office will record a greeting and set up your notification options for you as an optional service. $10.00.