atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Telecom Service & Providers Weird External Call Forwarding Issue

A client called me today about a problem I've never heard about before.

He apparently has been receiving a lot of wrong numbers for the last couple of months or so. Reported to Bell, they checked the line and no problems found.

He, like me, forwards his calls to his cell phone when he leaves the house.

Lately, for some unknown reason, these wrong numbers will not forward to his cell, but will ring as normal at the house even when Call Forwarding is in effect. These calls are from all over, not local. A regular POTS line as well.

Sounds like a blessing to me, but he wants to know why. I haven't a clue, nor does Bell.

Anyone heard of such a thing? :shrug:

Check that his "regular" POTS isn't one of those that has a second number super-imposed with distinctive ringing.....

Ken, that's an interesting point. Here's a slight hijack, sorry:

If you have a main number, and a "Ring Mate" number (that's what they're called here in NYTelCo-land) and you wish to enable CF, is it just the main number that can be enabled to forward calls, or do all calls from all the "Ring Mates" get forwarded?

Here in Canada all numbers that are on the line would get forwarded, unless they've changed things from when I wanted to do that for a fax number on the main line.

Only thing that I could think of your customer trying is to activate the cf option again and see if they get the fast busy tone that indicates its already activated. If they don't get that tone either the switch dropped the cf option or they did not set it up properly.

I know that the odd time on the weekend I forget the *72 and just dial my personal cell number and answer and go out shopping thinking I set up my cf.
I only find out when get back and find I have voice mail.

Good point. I know that if I'm unsure if I remembered to engage it before leaving, I'll call my office number from my cell and if it goes straight to my cell's VM, I know I don't have to return to the office. That might be it. Thanks.