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From: dgc@math.ucla.edu (David G. Cantor)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Call Forwarding Set From a Remote Site?
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Date: 14 Sep 90 00:49:35 GMT
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Paul Wilczynski asks:

>I've never heard of the following service, but is it possible?
>I'd certainly pay for it:

>Call Forwarding which could be changed from a remote site.  For
>example:  I leave my office, go someplace else, and modify the
>forwarding on my office phone to go to where I am.

A number of companies sell devices to do just this.  Some require a
second line which is dialed to tell the device to change the
call forwarding on the first line.  Of course, a security code is
required.  Nowdays lines are so cheap that this is a viable method.
Of course the second line can be used for other purposes also.

Some don't require a second line.  These operate on the principle that
when a line which is being call-forwarded is dialed, it rings once as
it forwards.  The device detects the single ring and turns of
call-forwarding for a short period of time (e.g., 30 seconds).  During
this time it expects a call to tell it the new call-forwarding number.
Again, of course, a security code is also required.

The latter device has two shortcomings:

1.  It requires two calls to change the call forwarding number.
2.  Whenever the line is dialed, it is, in effect, disabled for about
    the next 30 seconds.


David G. Cantor
Department of Mathematics
University of California at Los Angeles
Internet:  dgc@math.ucla.edu