[asterisk-users] Special Information Tones

[Casey Boone]

GrandCentral/Google Voice does just this, although I have no idea what 
they use for a back end to make it happen.  When someone calls your 
GC/GV number, it forwards out to a list of numbers you have given the 
service.  You can choose to answer the call, send it on to voicemail, or 
a couple of other things by hitting 1-5 after you answer.

Cary Fitch wrote:
>>From a cell user level perspective... 
> 
> The cell companies are "doing it" like they think makes sense.
> If they know your cell is off/out of range they route instantly to VM.
> They could give "4-10 rings" of fake effort, but why.  With follow me
> roaming and such, they want to process the call as fast as possible.
> 
> If they don't know if the cell is available, they may go through about 4
> rings of searching, but beyond that it is time to send it to VM, charge for
> the call :-), and move on.
> 
> Ideally, a "find me" call forwarding system should have a "real person"
> identifier and local voice mail.  "Real person" means that all called
> external numbers should not be assumed to be answered until they send back a
> DTMF tone.
> 
> Something like a Background announcement with some silence, waiting for
> DTMF. It could be a "Boing...." or "You have a forwarded call, press any key
> to accept the call...."
> 
> Then the call should be cut through to that "extension".
> 
> Cary Fitch
>