[asterisk-users] Special Information Tones

[drew einhorn]

I'm having a problem with Verizon Wireless.

I would be extremely surprised if I was the only one having this problem.

It seems to me that Verizon Wireless might be able to use one of the
Special Information Tones to allow us to solve the problem.

But I really do not whether my suggestion is compliant with the ITU-T standards.

Perhaps someone can give me an expert opinion on whether I should try
to get Verizon to implement my suggestion.

First I'll describe the problem.

I'm trying to implement Single Number Reach.  For example, when a call
comes in to one of my DIDs, it simultaneously rings on a couple
extensions in my home office and a couple of Verizon Wireless cell
phone numbers.  Everything works just the way it is supposed to if the
cell phones are powered up, and within the range of a cell tower.

The problem is if a cellphone is turned off, or out of range and
unable to talk to a cell tower, Verizon is unable to find the
cellphone on their network, Verizon answers the call and plays a
recorded message, instead of allowing the number to continue ringing,
and allowing one of the voip extensions, or another cellphone to
answer the call.

Verizon really wants to get rid of the call as quickly as possible to
free up their equipment to handle other calls.

Unfortunately we spend a lot of time in rural areas where there is no
cell tower to talk to.  In that case we really someone else to pick up
the call.

I'm hoping that if Verizon would precede the voice message with one of
the Special Information Tones, we could recognize the fact that the
call has not really been answer, and continue to ring on the other
lines.

Two questions.  1) would the approach be compliant with ITU-T
standards?  2) Assuming that it is, and we can convince Verizon to
implement this. How difficult would it be to configure asterisk to
handle this as I suggest?

-- 
Drew Einhorn