VM options change

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks ago. One
used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to hear one's
messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your cell phone, you
hear the intro message and are immediately connected to your voice
mailbox, where it plays back the first unhear message.

That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my cell
phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries, etc., in
case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use this phone for
both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing that they could listen
to a VM, or possibly delete one.

I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find a way
to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new system went
into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't think that there was
any way around it. So I'm asking the question to the cellular gurus. ;-)
Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a second phone, that is).

Thanks.

 

[Jer]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Tom Accuosti wrote:

> Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks ago. One
> used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to hear one's
> messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your cell phone, you
> hear the intro message and are immediately connected to your voice
> mailbox, where it plays back the first unhear message.
>
> That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my cell
> phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries, etc., in
> case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use this phone for
> both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing that they could listen
> to a VM, or possibly delete one.
>
> I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find a way
> to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new system went
> into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't think that there was
> any way around it. So I'm asking the question to the cellular gurus. ;-)
> Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a second phone, that is).
>
> Thanks.
>
>

Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to make?

--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'
"All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
what we know." -- Richard Wilbur

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

"Jer" <gdunn@airmail.ten> wrote in message
news:cihcf6$hpd@library2.airnews.net
| Tom Accuosti wrote:
|
| | Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks
| | ago. One used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to
| | hear one's messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your
| | cell phone, you hear the intro message and are immediately
| | connected to your voice mailbox, where it plays back the first
| | unhear message.
| |
| | That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my
| | cell phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries,
| | etc., in case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use
| | this phone for both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing
| | that they could listen to a VM, or possibly delete one.
| |
| | I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find
| | a way to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new
| | system went into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't
| | think that there was any way around it. So I'm asking the question
| | to the cellular gurus. ;-) Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a
| | second phone, that is).
| |
| | Thanks.
| |
| |
|
| Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to
| make?

Well, if I send them out to visit customer A and B, maybe I want them to
swing by Vendor C and D on the way back. Or perhaps even pick up some
lunch for me. <g>

Look, I can always make them agree to not use the phone to get their own
personal calls, or to look at the caller ID before answering and only
answer a work number, but jeez, they're human - I know that they call
their gf's or wives (or both), or call to order lunch while on the road
or something. I just don't want them to listen to *my* VMs or to delete
them.

 

[Jer]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Tom Accuosti wrote:
> "Jer" <gdunn@airmail.ten> wrote in message
> news:cihcf6$hpd@library2.airnews.net
> | Tom Accuosti wrote:
> |
> | | Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks
> | | ago. One used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to
> | | hear one's messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your
> | | cell phone, you hear the intro message and are immediately
> | | connected to your voice mailbox, where it plays back the first
> | | unhear message.
> | |
> | | That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my
> | | cell phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries,
> | | etc., in case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use
> | | this phone for both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing
> | | that they could listen to a VM, or possibly delete one.
> | |
> | | I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find
> | | a way to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new
> | | system went into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't
> | | think that there was any way around it. So I'm asking the question
> | | to the cellular gurus. ;-) Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a
> | | second phone, that is).
> | |
> | | Thanks.
> | |
> | |
> |
> | Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to
> | make?
>
> Well, if I send them out to visit customer A and B, maybe I want them to
> swing by Vendor C and D on the way back. Or perhaps even pick up some
> lunch for me. <g>
>
> Look, I can always make them agree to not use the phone to get their own
> personal calls, or to look at the caller ID before answering and only
> answer a work number, but jeez, they're human - I know that they call
> their gf's or wives (or both), or call to order lunch while on the road
> or something. I just don't want them to listen to *my* VMs or to delete
> them.
>
>

I'm thinking of some way of locking the phone so only inbound calls can
be answered. Which seems plausible until your g/f rings up. oops

--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'
"All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
what we know." -- Richard Wilbur

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

"Jer" <gdunn@airmail.ten> wrote in message
news:cii3kg$smn@library2.airnews.net
| Tom Accuosti wrote:

| |
| | Look, I can always make them agree to not use the phone to get
| | their own personal calls, or to look at the caller ID before
| | answering and only answer a work number, but jeez, they're human -
| | I know that they call their gf's or wives (or both), or call to
| | order lunch while on the road or something. I just don't want them
| | to listen to *my* VMs or to delete them.
| |
| |
|
| I'm thinking of some way of locking the phone so only inbound calls
| can be answered. Which seems plausible until your g/f rings up. oops

Or worse - I don't want my wife listening to the VMs that my mistress
leaves <g>.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

In article <cihcf6$hpd@library2.airnews.net>, gdunn@airmail.ten says...
> Tom Accuosti wrote:
>
> > Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks ago. One
> > used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to hear one's
> > messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your cell phone, you
> > hear the intro message and are immediately connected to your voice
> > mailbox, where it plays back the first unhear message.
> >
> > That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my cell
> > phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries, etc., in
> > case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use this phone for
> > both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing that they could listen
> > to a VM, or possibly delete one.
> >
> > I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find a way
> > to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new system went
> > into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't think that there was
> > any way around it. So I'm asking the question to the cellular gurus. ;-)
> > Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a second phone, that is).
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> >
>
> Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to make?
>
>
Does it do that if the cell phone calls it's own number or a special VM
number or a *code? If one method doesn't do the auto login you might
change the VM button to use that method. Also, have you tried asking CS
if they can set a flag in your account to force the manual login?
--
Jud
Dallas TX USA

 

[Jer]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Jud Hardcastle wrote:

> In article <cihcf6$hpd@library2.airnews.net>, gdunn@airmail.ten says...
>
>>Tom Accuosti wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks ago. One
>>>used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to hear one's
>>>messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your cell phone, you
>>>hear the intro message and are immediately connected to your voice
>>>mailbox, where it plays back the first unhear message.
>>>
>>>That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my cell
>>>phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries, etc., in
>>>case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use this phone for
>>>both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing that they could listen
>>>to a VM, or possibly delete one.
>>>
>>>I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find a way
>>>to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new system went
>>>into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't think that there was
>>>any way around it. So I'm asking the question to the cellular gurus. ;-)
>>>Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a second phone, that is).
>>>
>>>Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to make?
>>
>>
>
> Does it do that if the cell phone calls it's own number or a special VM
> number or a *code? If one method doesn't do the auto login you might
> change the VM button to use that method. Also, have you tried asking CS
> if they can set a flag in your account to force the manual login?

Good question, JH, maybe Tom can respond to that.

My prior conversations with my Cingular buddy have indicated they're
upgrading their VM services with newer, and presumably better, equipment
in many service areas across the US. Also presumably, these VM service
upgrades are related to their intention of serving the composite client
base of the 'new & improved' Cingular along their growth potential for
the future - which makes "cents" in the overall scheme. Now, having
said that, my Cingular bud also is quick to point out that, in the early
stages of VM equipment upgrades, regional priorities still dictate how
VM service delivery is implemented. As to whether there is any
commonality in managing VM service delivery on a national basis remains
to be seen. The inference I get from this is despite similarities in
the VM equipment base, one can still expect regional differences in how
VM service is delivered. Given that, one could reasonably expect some
differences in how one region's VM service operates (on the client's
side) when compared to another's. VM feature implementation may differ
considerably between service areas, at least until a national delivery
plan shows up on some executive's calendar - in ink.

--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'
"All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
what we know." -- Richard Wilbur

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

"Jud Hardcastle" <l5i5changethistodash5rbo@xemaps.removethis.com> wrote
in message news:MPG.1bb762e68e3c85899897ba@news.dallas.sbcglobal.net

| | | I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't
| | | find a way to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the
| | | new system went into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they
| | | didn't think that there was any way around it. So I'm asking the
| | | question to the cellular gurus. ;-) Anyone have any tips (besides
| | | buy them a second phone, that is).
| | |
| | | Thanks.
| | |
| | |
| |
| | Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to
| | make?
| |
| |
| Does it do that if the cell phone calls it's own number or a special
| VM number or a *code? If one method doesn't do the auto login you
| might change the VM button to use that method. Also, have you tried
| asking CS if they can set a flag in your account to force the manual
| login?

Apparently, if you call your own number from your phone, it plays the
intro message then skips right to VM options, starting with playing back
the first new message. If you call from other numbers, naturally it goes
to the Leave a message prompt. CS said that this was to make things
easier for people callign to check their messages - I guess most people
don't bother to learn how to program their VM features to send the # and
codes.

And CS also said that at this time, they don't have any workaround.
Grrr.

Okay, it's not major or life-threatening, and won't affect the outcome
of the next election. I'll be lots of people will really appreciate how
easy it's made their lives. But still, I liked having the option to do
something instead of having it forced on me, you know?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Voice mail services are quite often a third party software system.
Dedicated servers for just the Voice Mail system. AT&T and Qwest both
use the same vendor. Cox Communications and T-Mobile also use the same
vendor. The features available to the carriers customer depend on what
they signed up for with the VM vendor.

I'm not sure if Cingular has the same vendor as AT&T but maybe they are
going towards a common vendor for the eventual cutover.

Jer wrote:
> Jud Hardcastle wrote:
>
>> In article <cihcf6$hpd@library2.airnews.net>, gdunn@airmail.ten says...
>>
>>> Tom Accuosti wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Here in the Conn area, the VM options changed a couple of weeks ago.
>>>> One
>>>> used to dial in, hit # and then the 4 digit passcode to hear one's
>>>> messages. They changed so that if one dials in with your cell phone,
>>>> you
>>>> hear the intro message and are immediately connected to your voice
>>>> mailbox, where it plays back the first unhear message.
>>>>
>>>> That's probably convenient for some people, but I often hand out my
>>>> cell
>>>> phone to the drivers at work when they're making deliveries, etc., in
>>>> case I need to have them make an extra stop. Since I use this phone for
>>>> both work and business, I'm uncomfortable knowing that they could
>>>> listen
>>>> to a VM, or possibly delete one.
>>>>
>>>> I went through as many set up options as I could but couldn't find a
>>>> way
>>>> to get back, so I called Cingular. They said that the new system went
>>>> into effect a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't think that there was
>>>> any way around it. So I'm asking the question to the cellular gurus.
>>>> ;-)
>>>> Anyone have any tips (besides buy them a second phone, that is).
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Just curious... what sort of extra stops would they be needing to make?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Does it do that if the cell phone calls it's own number or a special
>> VM number or a *code? If one method doesn't do the auto login you
>> might change the VM button to use that method. Also, have you tried
>> asking CS if they can set a flag in your account to force the manual
>> login?
>
>
> Good question, JH, maybe Tom can respond to that.
>
> My prior conversations with my Cingular buddy have indicated they're
> upgrading their VM services with newer, and presumably better, equipment
> in many service areas across the US. Also presumably, these VM service
> upgrades are related to their intention of serving the composite client
> base of the 'new & improved' Cingular along their growth potential for
> the future - which makes "cents" in the overall scheme. Now, having
> said that, my Cingular bud also is quick to point out that, in the early
> stages of VM equipment upgrades, regional priorities still dictate how
> VM service delivery is implemented. As to whether there is any
> commonality in managing VM service delivery on a national basis remains
> to be seen. The inference I get from this is despite similarities in
> the VM equipment base, one can still expect regional differences in how
> VM service is delivered. Given that, one could reasonably expect some
> differences in how one region's VM service operates (on the client's
> side) when compared to another's. VM feature implementation may differ
> considerably between service areas, at least until a national delivery
> plan shows up on some executive's calendar - in ink.
>

 

[Jer]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

JOHN SMITH wrote:
> Voice mail services are quite often a third party software system.
> Dedicated servers for just the Voice Mail system. AT&T and Qwest both
> use the same vendor. Cox Communications and T-Mobile also use the same
> vendor. The features available to the carriers customer depend on what
> they signed up for with the VM vendor.
>
> I'm not sure if Cingular has the same vendor as AT&T but maybe they are
> going towards a common vendor for the eventual cutover.
>


Oh sure, Cingular didn't design nor manufacture their own VM equipment -
they bought it just like most carriers did. I presume the term 'vendor'
in this context is intended to mean some company external to the
wireless carrier is directly responsible for the care & feeding of VM
service delivery. So, within that context, I can assure everyone that
Cingular does not use any vendor for their VM services beyond the usual
OEM support contracts typical for equipment used in the telecom
industry. Tier 1 support for Cingular's VM service is all in-house, and
OEM support is provided on an as-needed case-by-case basis via contract.

I don't know what OEM is used for VM service at ATTWS, but it would seem
prudent business cents for the new Cingular to prefer a common OEM for
all VM services in their future. As to whether the new Cingular will
continue to maintain existing VM service equipment of ATTWS or morph all
VM services into something new is unknown to me at this magic moment.


--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'
"All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
what we know." -- Richard Wilbur

 

[Joseph]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 11:21:17 -0500, Jer <gdunn@airmail.ten> wrote:

>I don't know what OEM is used for VM service at ATTWS, but it would seem
>prudent business cents for the new Cingular to prefer a common OEM for
>all VM services in their future. As to whether the new Cingular will
>continue to maintain existing VM service equipment of ATTWS or morph all
>VM services into something new is unknown to me at this magic moment.

Sure it might seem prudent, but I know for instance that T-Mobile
while they use the Glenayre voice mail platform for the majority of
their system and in fact did a consolidation a couple years ago so
that the majority of their system was Glenayre. However, in the
former Powertel regions they are using a different voice mail
platform. I'm not sure of the brand, but I know for a fact that it is
different. As an example of the difference if voice mail is deposited
on most of the T-Mobile system an SMS is received that says 'You have
X (number) new voice mail. Dial 123 to retrieve.' OTOH in Powertel
areas when a voice mail message is deposited they see the tape reel
icon on their handsets to indicate that they have a voice mail message
waiting. This MWI (message waiting indicator) is a feature of the
voice mail platform that they are using though I believe that MWI can
be configured for other voice mail platforms but do not know this for
sure.

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