Call waiting modem question...

[PointlesS]

ok I'm probably getting a call waiting modem (please don't tell me to get broadband ok?) and I was wondering in order for it to work...do you have to have call waiting from the phone company?

 

[Viper GTS]

Yes, of course you have to have call waiting service.

Viper GTS

 

[zepper00]

Yes you do need to subscribe to the call waiting service and in some areas you will want the "enhanced call waiting" service which allows you to turn off call waiting if you don't want the interruption. You may also want to get Caller ID so you can tell whether you really want to pick up the call or not. Would be nice if the modem also supported caller ID to your computer screen. Most local phone companies offer packages where you can get multiple added services for a better price.
Personally, I think that anyone that would use call waiting (when calls between two other people is the case) is rude. If you have a business where you need to be able to field as many calls as possible, get other phone line(s) installed.
.bh.

 

[Nessism]

Another option is a Hotcall box. Costs about $50 and makes a ring sound if a call come in while on-line. Gives you about 7 seconds to talk to caller before the internet connection is lost. Works fine. Hotcall.

Ed

 

[zepper00]

Call waiting modem actually works like a Hotcall box built into a modem. But if the modem I already had was working fine, I'd probably go with the Hotcall box instead as you probably couldn't get anything out of your used modem anyway and the box would be more flexible in abilities.
.bh.