Telephone answering service - call divert on landline

You will need to get your telecoms provider to enable call diversion on your landline number. In this example we use BT's coding and products. If you use another telecomms provider, please check with them although the principle is the same.

BT's Star Services enables you to divert your call by entering the divert code directly on your telephone instrument or, using BT's Smart Divert, you can do it remotely as and when you want, e.g. when you are away from the office.

Once your provider has set up the call divert, there are 4 options for getting your calls to our live telephone answering service and you simply choose the one to suit you.

Divert all calls.

On your telephone enter *21*, followed by the number we give you at our switch, followed by #

• This is useful when your office is unmanned for any reason or you do not want to be disturbed – you are a meeting or you want to concentrate on a particular project.

Divert when your line is busy

On your telephone enter *67*, followed by the number we give you at our switch, followed by #

• This is useful when you are in the office and want to handle most calls yourself.

Divert if no answer within 15 seconds (This is about 6 rings. It is embedded by BT and you cannot change it)

On your telephone enter *61*, followed by the number we give you at our switch, followed by #

• This is useful when you are around the office but might be a distance from the telephone. This gives you time to answer the call.

Note:

Unless you specify otherwise, the caller will hear an announcement to the effect the call is being diverted. We recommend you ask BT to disable this feature, quoting Product code A53133.

Divert when your line is engaged or no answer within 15 seconds

On your telephone enter *66*, followed by the number we give you at our switch, followed by #

• This is the most popular option as it covers all eventualities so you do not have to remember to activate and cancel the divert.

To cancel call diversion.

On your telephone enter #, followed by the divert code you are using, followed by #, e.g. #66#.

Bypass number

A bypass number sits on your existing telephone but calls to it are not subject to divert; they literally “bypass” the divert.

It is particularly useful if you want us to filter your calls and then connect them to you even though you are diverting to us.

It is also useful if you do not want calls from your friends and family to be answered by ourselves. Ask them to call you on the bypass number. BT’s product code for this is A27671.

Use the form to contact us today if you would like more information about call divert or a bypass number, or call us on Freephone 0800 0787 300.