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Unified Messaging (voice/fax to email)

babyTEL is unique in providing unified messaging as a standard service at no extra cost. You get to consolidate all your messages (voice, fax, emails) in your email inbox. View the Mailbox with Unified Messaging (voice/fax to email) feature for more information.

Online Account Management

Manage your account online.

With babyTEL you can manage and update your account information and preferences directly from our website. You can securely update your credit card information, change your password or modify other account settings online. Simply log in to your account and select the appropriate menu from the 'My Account' or 'My babyTEL Service' sections, then make the necessary changes, save and log out.

Real-time online billing information

Log in and select 'My Transactions' under 'My Account' to view your bill. Make a chargeable babyTEL call and your bill will update instantaneously. There's virtually no delay.

Real-time online call log

Log in and select 'My Call Log' under 'My Account' to view your call log. See details of all the calls you made, the calls you received, duration and cost. If you make a call while the log is in view, the details will appear once you hang up and refresh the page.

Call ID Preference

Choose the name and number that appear when making calls.

This feature allows you to select the name and number appearing on the recipient's telephone display when calls are made through babyTEL.

To change your Call ID information login to your babyTEL account and select the menu item '..Request support' under "My babyTEL Service". Set "babyTEL Case type" to "Call-ID Preference". Use the "Subject" and "Problem description" fields to specify the name and number you want to use. If the number is not one of the virtual numbers you have in your account, you will be asked to provide proof of ownership.

Please note that while babyTEL supports the name display feature and passes your caller name on outbound calls to pier carriers involved in completing the call, the information may be dropped by some Telcos. babyTEL is therefore advising its customers that the name display feature is provided on a best efforts basis.

Virtual Number

Give yourself a telephone presence in other cities.

With babyTEL you are no longer restricted to one telephone number per line. You can select additional numbers in other cities throughout North America and many International locations. A call to any of these numbers will ring your main babyTEL line as if the caller dialed your primary number. These additional telephone numbers are called virtual numbers. Think of virtual numbers as aliases for your primary number. You can have as many aliases as you like and the number becomes active the minute you subscribe to it.

Ideal for your children who are away at college, your business associates or your family back home, a virtual number is a way for you to reach out to those who want to reach you.

To sign up for a virtual number login to your babyTEL account and select 'Add a virtual number' under 'My babyPLAN'. There is a charge per month for each virtual number.

Multiple Devices

Connect from multiple locations using the same babyTEL account.

With babyTEL, you have the flexibility of using your laptop when traveling or your telephone set at home to make and receive calls on the same number.

babyTEL allows you to connect up to 3 different devices to the same account. For each device, you have the choice of using either a Softphone, a Telephone Adapter (babyBOXTM) or another IP device of your choosing, such an IP-Phone or IP-PBX.

babyTEL will ring all your connected devices simultaneously and you can call from any one of them. Subscribing to the multiple-device option also gives you the advantage of being able to carry 2 simultaneous calls at the same time - useful for when you want to make a call but your roommate is on the phone!

Softphone

You can use a Softphone running on a computer, laptop or Pocket-PC that is Internet connected and equipped with a voice card. It works just like a telephone. To dial out you click numbers on on the telephone keypad or computer keyboard.

For best results, babyTEL recommends that a quality headset with microphone be utilized. External USB phones are available from the store.

Emergency Backup Line

You can connect a traditional landline to your telephone adapter.

You can connect a traditional telephone line or landline to any telephone adapter that is equipped with a telephone network interface port (FXO).

This feature allows you to use the same telephone set to make and receive calls on both your landline and Internet line. It is a useful backup feature as well as a convenience feature for residents of multi-dwelling units with an entrance code system that connects directly to the telephone wire.

When you use a landline as backup, you gain the assurance of knowing that you can continue to make calls even if your Internet connection is down. If for some reason the babyBOX is unable to make an Internet call, it will automatically switch to the backup line and complete your call. The babyBOX can also automatically use your backup line whenever you dial 911 or you can force it to use the backup line by dialing a short code before the number you are calling.

With all the feature rich functionality of your babyTEL line, you don't need anything more than a basic landline for backup.

Note that babyTEL does not offer adapters that support the Emergency Backup Line feature during sign-up, however we can provide such adapters on request. If interested, select the ‘I already own a device' option during sign-up and contact us for further instructions.

Service Continuity

Receive your calls even if your Internet service is interrupted.

You can specify any telephone number or cell phone where we will forward your calls if your telephone system stops communicating with our network due to a problem at your end such as a power failure, equipment malfunction or Internet disruption.

To change settings related to this feature login to your babyTEL account and select 'Telephony Feature Settings' under 'My babyTEL Service'.

Short Number Dialing

It's just like dialing an extension.

If the called party is in your own area code, you just have to dial the seven digits. Just like it used to be!

You can dial as few as 4 digits if the called party has the same exchange.

In both cases we will complete the number for you.

To enable Short Number Dialing, login to your account and select the 'Allow 4-digit dialing’ option in the 'Telephony Feature Settings’ form under 'My babyTEL Service’.

Distinctive Rings

If you use different telephone numbers for different people in you household you can have your phone ring with a different tone depending on which number is called. By choosing a different ring tone for each telephone number you can recognize what number is being called. Up to 8 different tones are available*.

To configure this feature log into your online babyTEL account and select ‘Phone Numbers’ under ‘My babyPLAN’. For each phone number listed you can select Ringtone-1 to Ringtone-8, each representing a distinctive ring pattern.

* Distinctive ring works with all Linksys telephone adapters provided by babyTEL. babyTEL cannot guarantee the feature will work with other devices. The Distinctive Ring tones may vary depending on model of adapter and telephone connected to it.

Call Return

Automatically dial your last caller.

Regardless of whether the call was answered or not, babyTEL always remembers the last number. Lift the telephone receiver and dial *69 and babyTEL will automatically dial it at no extra cost.

This feature may not be available with certain telephone adapters.

Call ID Block(anonymous calling)

Hide your name and number when you want.

This feature allows you to block your name and number from appearing on the recipient's telephone display. When you make an anonymous call, the words "Private Number" will be displayed on the recipient's display.

Enabling Call-ID block

If using the Linksys telephone adapter: To activate this feature for all calls, pick up the telephone handset and dial *67, then hang up. You can also activate this feature on a per-call basis. To place an anonymous call, when the feature is disabled, lift the telephone receiver and dial *81. At the sound of the dial tone, dial the number you wish to reach. When you hang up the feature is turned off again.

If using the Azacall telephone adapter: With the Azacall adapter, you can only activate this feature on a per-call basis. To place an anonymous call, lift the telephone receiver and dial *67. At the sound of the dial tone, dial the number you wish to reach. When you hang up the feature is turned off again.

Disabling Call-ID block

If using the Linksys telephone adapter: you can turn off anonymous calling for all calls. To turn off anonymous calling for all calls, pick up the telephone handset and dial *68, then hang up. You can also disable this feature on a per-call basis. If anonymous calling is enabled and you want to disable it for one call lift the telephone receiver and dial *82. At the sound of the dial tone, dial the number you wish to reach. When you hang up the feature is turned on again.

If using the Azacall telephone adapter: With the Azacall adapter, this feature is disabled by default and can only be enabled on a per-call basis.

Repeat Dialing

Automatically monitor a busy line.

Repeat dialing saves you the trouble of having to dial repeatedly to get through to a busy number. babyTEL will do it for you. It does not cost you extra to use the Repeat Dialing feature.

If using the Linksys telephone adapter: When you dial a number and find it busy, first hang up, then lift the telephone receiver and dial *66. Then hang up again. babyTEL will monitor that line for 30 minutes. If the line becomes free in that time, babyTEL will call you back with a distinct ring. Lift the receiver and you will be connected. To cancel, before you are called back, lift the receiver and press *86.

If using the Azacall telephone adapter: When you dial a number and find it busy, press #5, then hang up. babyTEL will monitor that line for 30 minutes. If the line becomes free in that time, babyTEL will call you back with a distinct ring. Lift the telephone receiver and you will be connected.

Note that the Repeat Dialing feature is only available with certain telephone adapters.

Toll Restriction

Never worry about making unintended long distance calls.

Take control of your long-distance bill. Use this feature from babyTEL to disable or enable calls to international and other long-distance destinations.

You can block calls to international destinations and to long-distance destinations separately.

You can also block calls to Directory Assistance. So use a free online directory service and save by blocking Directory Assistance calls on your babyTEL account.

To change settings related to this feature login to your babyTEL account and select 'Telephony Feature Settings' under 'My babyTEL Service'.

Call Forwarding

Receive your calls wherever you want.

You can forward your calls to any telephone number or cell phone of your choice. The following options are available with the babyTEL call forwarding feature:

To change settings related to this feature login to your babyTEL account and select 'Telephony Feature Settings' under 'My babyTEL Service'.

Caller ID

Manage your time better by answering only the calls you want.

Your telephone system will receive the number of the person calling provided the caller has not blocked it from being displayed

In certain areas the name of the caller is also provided, when not blocked by the caller. If your telephone system does not display the caller name, then it is not available in your area.

Do Not Disturb

You can send calls directly to your messaging service.

If you do not wish to be disturbed for a period of time, you can activate the Do Not Disturb feature. Calls will automatically be routed to the voicemail service associated with your account.

To change settings related to this feature login to your babyTEL account and select 'Telephony Feature Settings' under 'My babyTEL Service'.

Mailbox with Unified Messaging (voice/fax to email)

When you can't answer or if you're on the line, the caller is transferred to your mailbox where they listen to your greeting and can leave you a message.

A caller can review and re-record a message being left in your mailbox and can also mark it Urgent and/or Private.

To retrieve your messages you can call into your mailbox and listen to your messages from any telephone with the option to delete or store them for future reference.

Unified Messaging, standard with babyTEL residential service, you get to consolidate all your messages (voice, fax, emails) in your email inbox.

You can have a copy of your voice messages forwarded to your email inbox where you can listen to them on your computer or PDA that links to your email.

Fax messages can be received by not picking up the phone and arrive in your email inbox as a standard PDF attachment which can be clicked or read.

Messages with unified messaging are stored for three days on our server. Voice messages without unified messaging are stored for 30 days.

Call Hold

No more covering the mouthpiece to avoid being heard.

To put a call on hold, quickly press and release your telephone's flash hook button or use the hold button, if available. While on hold, the other party will not be able to hear you, allowing you to speak to someone nearby in private, take a call on another line or answer the door. A flashing light or other display will ensure you don't forget about the held call - just press the button again to resume the conversation when you are ready.

Call Waiting

Avoid missing important calls.

Call waiting lets you know when there is a second call while you're on the phone and allows you to switch between the two calls.

When a second call arrives, you will hear a distinct ring on the line. If your telephone set has a display screen, the caller's number is displayed. You can then decide whether to take the call or not.

Switching between calls

During your conversation, when you hear the ring, press the flash hook (switch hook or link button). The first call will be placed on hold and you will be connected to the second call. To return to the previous conversation, press the flash hook again. You can repeat this as often as you like. To end the first call before answering the second, simply hang up and your phone will ring with the second call.

Disabling call waiting

If using the Linksys telephone adapter: When call waiting is enabled, you can turn off call waiting for a single call. Just press *70 before you dial the number and call waiting will be temporarily disabled until you complete the phone call. To turn off call waiting for all calls, pick up the telephone handset and dial *57 then hang up. Call waiting will be disabled until you re-enable it.

If using the Azacall telephone adapter: To turn off call waiting for a single call, press *70 before you dial the number and call waiting will be temporarily disabled until you complete the phone call. To turn off call waiting for all calls, pick up the telephone handset and dial #74 then hang up. Call waiting will be disabled until you re-enable it.

Enabling call waiting

If using the Linksys telephone adapter: When call waiting is disabled, you can turn on call waiting for a single call. Just press *71 before you dial the number. Call waiting will be temporarily enabled until you complete the phone call. To turn on call waiting for all calls, pick up the telephone handset and dial *56 then hang up. Call waiting will be enabled until you disable it.

If using the Azacall telephone adapter: When call waiting is disabled, you can only re-enable it for all calls. To re-enable the feature pick up the handset and dial *74, then hang up.

Conference Calling

Three heads are better than two.

During a conversation, either party can add a third individual to the discussion. There is no extra charge to use the conference calling feature. Note however that in plans where minutes are billed, each person called in the conference is treated as a separate call and is billed according to whether it is a local or long distance call.

If using the Linksys telephone adapter, press the flash hook (switch hook or link button) once. At the sound of the dial tone, dial the telephone number of the person you wish to add to the discussion. Once answered, press the flash hook once again to create a 3-way conference call.

If using the Azacall telephone adapter, press the flash hook (switch hook or link button) once and then dial *22. At the sound of the dial tone, dial the telephone number of the person you wish to add to the discussion. Once answered dial #22 to create a 3-way conference call.

N11 Services

911 Service

Read important information about the service on our 911 page

811 Service

Dial 811 to access non-urgent health services if 811-acess to these services is available in your area. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) assigned 811 for municipal non-urgent health teletriage/ telehealth services, however not all municipalities provide an 811 Call Center.

611 Service

Dial 611 to access the babyTEL customer care helpdesk. This abbreviated telephone number is provided for your convenience. If you need to report a problem or ask a service related question our knowledgeable and courteous customer care personnel are there to assist you.

411 Service

Dial 411 to access business, residential and government listings in Canada and USA.

You can make up to three enquiries during a single telephone call!

The cost is only $2.25 per call.

311 Service

Dial 311 to access non-emergency municipal services if 311-access to these services is available in your area. In Canada and the United States some communities provide 311-access to non-emergency municipal services or a Citizen Service Center. Calling this number allows city residents, in supporting cities, to obtain important non-emergency services.

211 Service

Dial 211 to access community services including information and referrals to health and human service organizations. Note that not all communities provide 211-access to these services so your call will only be connected if your telephone number is from a community that does.