What is call announcement and how does it work?

❗ Important Note:
Call Announcement is primarily used when forwarding your Unitel Voice number to your cell phone. If you are using the Unitel Voice app, this feature is unnecessary since you will already know the call is for your Unitel Voice number (the app will ring instead of your cell phone). Using Call Announcement with the app may also cause calls not to route properly or display incorrect information.

What Is Call Announcement?

Call Announcement ensures you know when an incoming call is for your Unitel Voice number rather than your personal number. When enabled, you’ll hear a prompt when answering a call, allowing you to handle it appropriately.

How Call Announcement Works

When you receive an inbound call and press accept, you’ll hear this automated message:

“This is a call for extension - - -. To accept this call, press one. To send to voicemail, press two. To hear the phone number, press three.”

This lets you confirm and manage business calls.

How to Enable Call Announcement

There are two different ways to enable Call Announcement:

1. Turn On Call Announcement from the Extensions Page:

   • Go to Extensions 
   • Click the word “unannounced” or “announced” to toggle between the settings.
   • (Review the Troubleshooting Common Issues section below to ensure your Ring to... is set to 60 seconds.)
     

2. Turn On Call Announcement In the Extension's Forwarding Setup:

   • Click “edit” on the extension you wish to update.
     
   • Click “edit” on the forwarding number.
     
   • Select “Calls will be announced when you pick up.”
     
   • Save your changes by clicking “save” 
   • Scroll up and then “save and close.”
     

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Dropped Calls After Pressing 1 to Accept

   • This happens if the ring time is too short. For instance, if the phone rings for only 15 seconds, it may disconnect before you finish listening to the announcement and make a selection.
   • Solution:
     • Navigate to the forwarding number settings for the extension.
     • Set the “ring for” field to 60 seconds to allow sufficient time.
       
     • Save your changes by clicking “save” 
     • Scroll up and click “save and close.”

2. Using Call Announcement with Mobile Apps

   • Do Not Enable Call Announcement if using the Unitel Voice app or Unitel Voice Office mobile app. The app already identifies incoming calls as business-related, and enabling this feature may disrupt call routing or display incorrect information.

Why Use Call Announcement?

✔ Clear Caller Identification: Immediately know if a call is for your business.
✔ Call Management Options: Accept, send to voicemail, or hear the caller’s number before answering.
✔ Professional Handling: Keep personal and business calls separate.

ⓘ Still confused? Having trouble?

Contact us at support@unitelvoice.com, call 855-888-6423 x2, or Chat with us online.

We're here to help!