Call Waiting, Call Transfer, 3-Way Calling, Custom Ring

Learn more about Call Waiting, Call Transfer, 3-Way Calling, and Custom Ring.

Call Waiting user guide

When you hear the Call Waiting tone, you have two options:

1. End your current conversation and talk to the new caller.

Hang up your current call like normal.
Your phone will then ring.
Pick it up and start talking to the new caller.

2. Put your first caller on hold, then answer the incoming call.

Press the FLASH button on a cordless phone or quickly press and release the hang-up switch (on a wired phone) put the first person on hold.
The new caller will now be on the line and you can begin talking. Pressing the FLASH button or clicking the hang-up switch again will bring you back to the first caller.
To end one of the calls, finish your conversation and hang up. Pause. The phone will ring. Pick it up to continue talking to the remaining caller.

You can temporarily disable Call Waiting for one phone call. It will automatically start back up again after you hang up.

Anyone trying to reach you when Call Waiting is turned off will be connected to your voicemail or hear a busy signal.

To turn off Call Waiting BEFORE you start a call:

Listen for the dial tone, then press *70.
Listen for three short tones, then the normal dial tone.
Dial the number.

To turn off Call Waiting DURING a call:

Press thee FLASH key or press and release the hang-up switch to put your call on hold.
Listen for three brief tones, then the normal dial tone. Press *70.
Press the FLASH button or press and release the hang-up switch again to continue your original call.

Note: In some areas, you can only turn off Call Waiting before placing a call. If you try to do so during a call, you may hear a rapid busy signal.

Call Waiting FAQs

No! Both conversations are private. The callers cannot hear each other.

No, you can ignore the second call. Continue your conversation and ignore the Call Waiting tone, and it will stop after a few repetitions.

The second caller will hear nine rings, then they will either be connected to your voicemail or hear an automated message telling them to try back later.

You can switch between two calls at one time. If a third person calls, that person will either be connected to your voicemail, or hear a busy signal.

If you want to talk with three people at the same time (a mini conference call), you can set up a three-way call.

Call Transfer user guide

Download the Call Transfer user guide

To transfer a call to another phone:

Put your current call on hold by pressing the FLASH button (on a cordless phone) or pressing and releasing the receiver switch.
When you hear the stutter tone, dial the number you want to transfer the call to.

Once your call is transferred, you have a few choices:

Hang up to complete the transfer.
Stay on the line until the person you're transferring to answers, introduce the caller and then hang up.
Or, start a three-way conversation by pressing the FLASH button again or pressing and releasing the receiver switch.

Call Transfer FAQ

If the number you transfer to is busy, unanswered or a wrong number, press the receiver button slowly twice to return to the original call.

You cannot transfer calls to numbers that require you to speak with an operator or respond to a series of numerical prompts.

If you transfer a call to a long-distance number, you are responsible for any applicable charges.

Call Transfer is a calling feature that can be requested as part of your home phone package. As part of a package, there's no additional fee. If you add it a la carte, the charge is $4.50-$8 per month, depending where you live, and there's a one-time setup fee of $10-$22.

Call Transfer and Call Waiting are compatible on the same line; however, only one of these features will work at a time. If you answer a call using Call Waiting, you cannot then transfer that call or start a 3-way conversation.

Three-Way Calling user guide

Download the Three-Way Calling user guide

To start a 3-way call:

While you're on a call, press the Flash button (on a cordless phone) or receiver (on a corded phone) firmly for one second, then release. This puts the first person on hold. You will then hear three brief tones followed by a dial tone.
When you hear the dial tone, dial the number of the person you want to add to the call. After that person answers, you can talk privately before completing the next step.
When you're ready, press the receiver or Flash button firmly again for one second.
This returns the first person to the line and completes the three-way connection. You can begin your mini conference call.

To disconnect a 3-way call:

Press the receiver button once to drop the last person you added.
Hang up to disconnect everyone and end the call.

You can use Three-Way Calling to add another person to your call, no matter who placed the first call. However, when you hang up, the other two people will also be disconnected.
When the three-way call includes long distance, you pay only for the call(s) you make.
Call Waiting does not work during a three-way call.

Make sure your phone is set to TONE, not PULSE. Many phones have a physical P/T switch located on the side, bottom or back of the unit. If you don't see a physical switch, try the phone's setup menu and look for the P/T settings.
Try calling from another phone. If you can get the feature to work from a different phone, then the problem is most likely with your equipment.
This feature will not work from or to a hotel, motel or prison.
This feature will not work if you're trying to use it simultaneously with Call Transfer or Call Waiting.
Three-Way Calling can be blocked. If it's blocked on your line, contact us to remove the block. There's no charge to do this.

Custom Ring user guide

Custom Ringing provides a second line to your main number, without needing to install additional equipment or wiring. Each of the numbers gets a different ring and can be heard from every phone in the house. You'll know who the call is for by the ring.

Good to know about Custom Ring

All calls will connect to the voicemail for the main number.

Custom Ringing affects incoming calls only. When you dial out, your main phone number shows up on the recipient's caller ID.

This calling feature does not affect the sound of your main number's ring tone.

Callers dialing a custom number hear a normal ring.

Depending where you live, there's a $5-$6 per month fee for the additional number. In some states, there is also a one-time setup fee of $6-$13.

If Custom Ringing is purchased separately from your phone plan or bundle, you can find it on your bill in the CenturyLink Telephone Charges — Optional Services section. If you purchased it as part of a package, it is not separately itemized and is included as part of the larger package of services.