Caller ID and Other Calling Features

Caller ID lets you know who is calling before you answer the phone as well as who called while you were away. A display unit attached to your phone shows the number of the caller and may also save the number of several callers. You may lease or purchase a caller identification display unit from us or from a retail outlet. This equipment is not required to use the other CLASS features offered. Please be aware this feature may display non-listed and non-published numbers. You must contact us to subscribe to the service.

Other Calling Features

The following information is being provided pursuant to a decision of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to help you understand these new services and your rights.

As of February 1, 1997, the subscriber's telephone number of the phone you are using will be displayed and be stored each time you call someone who has Caller ID service. This will occur even if the number from which you are calling is unlisted/ nonpublished and even if the call is not answered.

Blocking Options... the Choice is Yours
Because there may be occasions when you want to call without having your telephone number displayed, we offer two blocking options.

Per Call Blocking
If you wish to make a call without revealing your telephone number to the user of Caller ID service, simply dial *67 (or 1167 on rotary phones) before you dial the number you are calling. This will prevent the number from being released on that call only. There is no need to request this service. It is automatically available on your line. If you try to use call blocking or other CLASS services on a payphone or a line where the service is not available, you will hear a fast busy signal. There is no charge for per call blocking.

Line Blocking
Line blocking will prevent your name and number from being displayed on calls made from your line. Instead, the word "private" or "anonymous" will be displayed if you are calling someone who has Caller ID. If you select Line Blocking you can cancel the blocking feature for one call by dialing *67 (1167 from rotary phones).

Your line is the immediately re-blocked upon the completion of your call. There is no charge for this unblocking feature.

Business customers wanting Line Blocking must demonstrate in writing that disclosure of the calling name and number could endanger the caller, other persons, or property. There is no monthly charge for Line Blocking. A free installation period is available to new telephone customers. A one time charge of $15 will apply beginning after the initial free installation period.

Please call us to request Line Blocking or to test whether your line blocking is operating.

Note: Rotary dial customers dial 11 in place of the * for all CLASS feature Codes.

Repeat Dialing allows you to dial a code to have your phone continuously attempt to redial a busy number that you've tried to call. This feature is active for a maximum of 30 minutes. You may still make and receive other calls. When the line is free, you will be alerted with a distinctive ring, and the call will automatically be made.

If you couldn't get to the phone in time, you can still find out who called. By dialing a simple code, your phone will dial the number of the person who just called you. If their line is busy, hang up and your phone will keep trying the line for 30 minutes. A special callback ring will alert you if the line becomes free. Then simply lift the handset to automatically place the call. Call Return will not return blocked calls.

You set up a basic list of six (which may be expanded to up to 36) telephone numbers you'd like to ring in a distinctive pattern. This lets you know when someone special is calling. If you also have call waiting, you'll hear a distinctive call waiting tone when someone on your list calls. All other calls ring with a normal pattern. This feature will work on blocked calls.

Harassing or obscene calls are serious business. If you receive this type of call and feel you need assistance from police, Call Trace can help. To trace a harassing or obscene call, hang up after the harassing call, pick up the receiver again and press *57 immediately. A recording will confirm that the call has been traced. Upon a successful trace, the telephone number of the line used by the caller will be recorded at our office. Call Trace will work whether or not the call was blocked.

If it is a life threatening situation, or if you think otherwise appropriate, you may contact the local law enforcement agency or the telephone office after tracing the call. Under no circumstances will you be given the name or telephone number of the person who had placed the harassing phone call to you (it will only be released to law enforcement agencies).

You do not need to sign up for Call Trace. This option will be provided automatically on your phone line. It will always be there when you need it. You will be charged $ 1.00 per successful trace that has been released at your request to the local law enforcement agency.

Questions regarding Call Trace procedures should be directed to our office during regular business hours.

This feature allows you to create a basic list of six (which may be expanded up to 36) telephone numbers that are to be forwarded when they call for you. When you activate this service, and a call is received from a phone number that is on your list, the call is forwarded. All other calls will ring your phone in the normal fashion. This feature will work on blocked calls.

Call Screening allows you to create a basic list of six (which may be expanded up to 36) phone numbers from which you do not wish to receive calls. Calls from phone numbers on your list are sent to an announcement that informs the caller that you are not receiving calls at this time. This screening feature works on blocked calls.

This feature allows you to create a basic list of six (which may be expanded to up to 36) phone numbers from which you are willing to accept calls. Calls from phone numbers not contained on your list are sent to an announcement telling the caller that you are not receiving calls at this time. This feature will work on blocked calls.