Person B Phone Telephone Calling Calls Hear Cell

Telephone companies now offer many "optional" (can be chosen or rejected) "features" (special characteristics or services) beyond basic calling. As discussed in this episode, people can add voicemail and caller ID to their "phone line" (the calling services for a particular telephone number), sometimes for a small additional monthly "fee" (money paid for a particular purpose).

Many people like to have "call-waiting." Normally, if Person A calls Person B while Person B is already talking to Person C, Person A will hear a "busy signal," or an electronic noise that "indicates" (shows) that Person B is not available. However, with "call-waiting," Person B will hear a "beep" (electronic noise) or a clicking sound when Person A calls. Person B can then choose to put Person C "on hold" (waiting for a short period of time) while Person B speaks with Person A.

Continuing our example, if Person B wants to talk with Person A and Person C at the same time, Person B could use the "three-way calling feature," which allows three people to participate in one conversation. Person B simply needs to "patch in" (add) the other caller, and then all three people can hear each other's voices.

"Call-forwarding" is another popular feature. It allows all calls to a particular number to be "forwarded" (sent) automatically to another number. For example, if you are going on vacation and will be away from your home for one week, you could "activate" (set up and start using) call-forwarding so that all calls received on your "home line" (home telephone number) are automatically sent to your cell phone. The home line would not ring, but your cell phone would, and the people calling you would not realize that you were talking on your cell phone.