Voice
Services to handle incoming calls
Most GSM operators provide a number of services that help their customers to manage incoming calls. These services can usually be activated in the 'Settings' section of your phone's menu.
Voicemail
This service functions just like a traditional answer machine. If your line is engaged or you don't answer an incoming call after a pre-specified number of rings, your mobile operator diverts the caller to a voicemail system. The caller is welcomed by a pre-recorded greeting and given the opportunity to leave a message.
You are alerted to a new voicemail by a text-message or a call from your operator. You can then retrieve the new message by dialling a number provided by your operator. The service typically allows you to listen to the message again, save the message for a certain number of days or delete it.
Call Waiting & Call Hold
When you are using your phone, the handset can be set to alert you to any incoming calls. You can then put your current conversation on hold by pressing a button on the phone, allowing you to take the new call. You typically press the same button again to return to your earlier conversation.
Call Forwarding
Most operators offer you the option of diverting incoming calls to another number.
Call Restrictions
If someone else is borrowing your phone, you may want to restrict the calls they can make, such as international or premium-rate numbers, for example.
Show or Hide number
To help you to decide whether to answer a call, most mobile phone operators will display the number of any incoming call on the screen of your handset. That means that your number will also appear on the handset of the person you are calling. However, you can typically disable this function using your handset.
Push-to-Talk over Cellular
Some GSM operators are now offering Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) services, which allow people to use their phones as walkie-talkies, merely pushing a button to talk to another user or group of users.
Users can check whether their 'buddies' (people pre-selected from their contacts' list) are connected before activating the service. Only one person can talk at a time and all other participants hear the speech.
The service has been successful in the U.S. with business users and a number of European GSM operators are now offering PoC to consumers.
In order to use the service, users need to be a customer of an operator that has launched PoC, and have a compatible handset that has the PoC software built into the device. Please contact your operator to determine whether your network supports PoC services.
