Voicemail

Voicemail service takes a message even when you are on the telephone, on the internet or not answering your phone.

Voicemail Service – Voicemail automatically takes messages when you are unavailable or on another call. There are no machines or tapes to worry about and you can listen to, erase, or save your messages – at any time, from anywhere using a Touch-Tone™ telephone.

Voicemail includes access to Universal Messaging – an option that allows you to compose and send messages to other Voicemail subscribers without ringing their telephones. Universal Messaging also enables you to dial each person’s number. It’s ideal for those who need to send messages to groups of people, such as coaches or association members. Universal Messaging messages may be sent as Private, Urgent, with Message Confirmation and Future Delivery options.

Download Download the Voicemail User Guide (PDF) (PDF, 2,2MB (Opens in New Window))

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How to use Voicemail:

Setting up Voicemail for the first time (for all areas):

  1. From home, dial into your message service with the access code the NorthernTel Representative gave you when you subscribed to the service. If you are calling from a telephone number other than your own (from outside):
    • You may be asked for your preference in language. For instructions in English, Press 1.
    • You may be prompted to identify yourself as a subscriber. To do so, Press #.
    • You may be prompted to enter your mailbox number - this is always your 10 digit telephone number
  2. Enter your temporary password – this is your 7 Digit telephone number.
  3. Enter a new password. Choose a password from 6 to 15 digits in length. Be sure it does not begin with ‘0’.
  4. Record your name or telephone number (or Company Name) as a personal identification.
  5. Record a greeting that callers will hear when Voicemail service picks up. You will have two choices: an automated message provided by the system which will include your telephone number only, or a personalized greeting which you record yourself. In either case, you can change your greeting message whenever you wish.
  6. Press the ‘*’ key to exit until you hear the good-bye prompt. Your Voicemail service is now ready to automatically answer your calls.
  7. When you have new messages, the indicator light on your telephone will flash on some models. In most areas, you will hear an interrupted or stuttered dial tone when you pick up the receiver. You can still make and receive calls when the message notification is turned “ON”. You have the option of having the message notification turned “ON” or “OFF”.
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Voicemail Hints and Tips:

Ring control at your fingertips.

You can program your telephone --but only from your home-- to ring two to nine times, and you can change this number as often as you’d like. It’s easy.

Here’s how it works from your Touch-Tone line:

  1. Lift the receiver. 
  2. Press *94, listen for three beeps, enter the number of rings you would like (between 2 and 9).
  3. Hang up.

Remember, your caller will hear one more ring in addition to the number of rings you select. If you forget how many times your telephone currently rings before Voicemail picks up, follow the directions above to select the number of your choice.

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The convenience to turn your Voicemail service ON or OFF:

With Voicemail, your telephone is programmed to automatically forward callers to your Voicemail service when you are already on the line or are unavailable to take the call. However, there may be times when you want to turn off your Voicemail service. You now have this flexibility.

When you are already on the telephone:

If you want to temporarily turn off Voicemail service so that your callers don’t reach Voicemail, press *91. To turn Voicemail service back on, press *90. Your callers will now reac Voicemail.

When you are unavailable to take the call:

If you want to temporarily turn off Voicemail service so that your callers don’t reach Voicemail, press *93. To turn Voicemail service back on, press *92. Your callers will now reach Voicemail.

If you use both options described above, your Voicemail service is turned off. Whether you’re on the telephone or unavailable to take the call, your callers will not be forwarded to Voicemail.

Remember, if you forget whether you have either of these two options ON or OFF, simply program your telephone to the settings you want.

The Voicemail intermittent dial tone may interfere with the ability of some modems to place a call. If this happens, please refer to your Modem User Guide (option settings referred to as Blind Dialing (typically Hayes ATX0)), or set your internet connection so that it does not search for a dial tone to connect to the internet. If you require assistance to change this setting, call our technical support help desk at 1-800-773-2121 (Opens in the default phone client).

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Voicemail

Someone is always home to answer your calls.

Voicemail service automatically answers your calls if you are unavailable, if you are already on the telephone, if you choose not to respond to a Call Waiting beep or if you are connected to the Internet using a dial up connection. Callers hear a personal greeting, which you record, and they can leave you a message, up to three minutes in length. Messages are stored for you and may be listened to at your convenience from any Touch-Tone telephone. Extension Voicemail service gives personal answering for up to 4 people with no extra equipment or telephone lines. Callers hear a personal greeting, which you record, and they simply select the person they want to leave a message for. Messages are stored with complete privacy and security for each person. Extension Voicemail service users can also send and reply to messages from each other as well as forward copies of messages that they have received to one another. Voicemail Option, an add on enhancement, allows you to send messages to other Voicemail subscribers without ringing their telephone set or talking directly to them.

To Pick Up Your Messages:

From Your Home Telephone

  1. Dial your Voicemail message pick up number (access code).
  2. Listen to the introductory prompts.
  3. Enter your password. (If you are setting up your Voicemail for the first time, your temporary password is your own 7 digit telephone number.)
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From Another Telephone:

There are 3 different ways to take your messages from outside your home or your business.

Dial your Voice Mail access number.
Dial your own phone number.
Dial the Voice Mail toll free access number 1-877-235-5777 (Opens in the default phone client) from anywhere in Canada.
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Listening to Your Messages:

Main Menu
Listen to all messages
1
Listen to unheard messages
11
Send Messages
2
Personal Options
4
Exit 
*
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After Listening to Your Messages
Replay
4
Date/Time/Length
5
Erase
7
Save
9
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About Listening to Your Messages
Position
Rewind
1
Pause/Restart
2
Forward
3
Speed
Slower
4
Date/Time of message
5
Faster
6
Volume
Normal
8
Louder
9
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These controls are always available:
Cancel or exit
*
System Help
0
NorthernTel Representative Help
00
Complete or Skip
#
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