Can We Talk? Some Tips for Using Your Digital Phone

Lee Ridgway
Publication Services

The Institute's phone system and digital desksets offer many features. 
Here are a few tips and procedures to make your phone use more 
satisfying and efficient.

Save Money: Use Tie Lines!
MIT maintains direct-dial tie lines to MIT affiliates and other 
institutions in the Boston area, to avoid the message-unit or toll 
charges. All classes of MIT telephone service have access to the tie 
lines (an account number is not needed). See the MIT Faculty and Staff 
Directory or the MIT Student Directory for the list of institutions and 
dialing instructions.

Note: Fax calls to these institutions can also be made via the tie 
lines.

Speakerphone
The Speakerphone lets you place and answer calls without lifting the 
receiver. It's also handy when others come to your office to participate 
in a call.

1. To activate the Speakerphone, press the Speaker button. If 
answering a call you may say "hello" immediately; if placing a call 
you will hear the dial tone.

2. To disconnect from the call but keep the Speakerphone active, 
press the Drop button.

   To disconnect from the call and turn off the Speakerphone, press  
the Speaker button.

Volume Button
You can control both the loudness of your phone's ring and the voice 
level of the receiver and Speakerphone. Press the Volume button arrows 
until you hear the desired volume. Press the left arrow to lower the 
volume, the right arrow to raise it.

Transferring a Call
To transfer a call to another phone on campus, follow these steps:

1.  While on the call, press the Transfer button and wait for the dial 
tone.

2.  Dial the MIT extension to which the call is to be transferred.

3.  When the call is answered, announce that you are transferring a 
call and press the Transfer button again.

Conference Call
You can set up a three-way conference call from a digital phone with 
two other parties on or off campus.

1.  While on one call, press the Conference button and wait for the 
dial tone.

2.  Dial the number of the third party to add to the call.

3.  When that party answers, announce the conference call and press 
the Conference button again.