We have dozens of ways to make calling faster and more convenient.

Blackfoot’s custom calling features are available individually or they can be combined in groups of three or more to form special money-saving Blackfoot bundles. Features are available for a minimal monthly fee and can be added without a service fee.

We are in the process of upgrading our network to provide you with the most up-to-date technology available. The upgrade process requires a transition for some of our services.  Some calling features have different user instructions.  If you are a customer using calling features and have not yet been upgraded to new central office equipment, please use the first set (A) of instructions if listed.  If you have already been upgraded to the new central office equipment, please use the second set (B) of instructions if listed.

If you have questions or difficulties using the calling features, please contact customer service at
(406) 541-5000.

General Calling Features

Voice Mail
Call Waiting & Call Waiting Disable
Custom Ringing
Three-Way Calling
Continuous Redial
Last Call Return
Per Call Blocking
Toll Authorization

Call Forwarding-Related Features

Call Forwarding
Call Forward Busy
Call Forward No Answer
Remote Call Forwarding

Advanced Calling Features

Speed Calling
Call Forward, Remote Access
Selective Call Acceptance
Selective Call Forwarding
Selective Call Rejection
Distinctive Ringing/Call Waiting
Customer Originated Trace

Caller I.D. – Related Features

Caller Identification (Caller ID)
Call Waiting with Caller ID
Anonymous Call Rejection
Blocked Or Anonymous Calls
Suppression Of Caller ID Blocking

Voice Mail

(A) Voice Mail
To retrieve your Voice Mail messages from home

1. Call the local Voice Mail number provided by Blackfoot.
2. The Voice Mail system will recognize your Caller Identification and put you directly into your messages unless you have Caller ID Blocking on your line, if so, please follow instructions below.

To retrieve your Voice Mail messages from another touch-tone phone

1. Call the local Voice Mail number.
2. You will be prompted for a mailbox number and password. Your voice mailbox will always be your seven-digit phone number followed by the # sign. Your password is originally set as your seven-digit phone number. You can change your password once logged into your voice mailbox.
   (To change your password, choose option 9 “mailbox setup” and then 2 “create/change password”.)

To retrieve your Voice Mail messages from another touchtone phone that also has voice mail

1. Call the local Voice Mail number.
2. When Voice Mail answers, press * and it will ask for your mailbox number and password.
3. Enter your phone number and password at this time.
   
   To manage messages one at a time once you are in your mailbox
   - Press 1 for Message Retrieval.

Options

• Press 1 to Play message.
• Press 2 to Keep message. The system will then go to next message.
• Press 3 to Delete message. The system will then go to the next message.
• Press 4 to Save As New. When you use this option the message will be included in the “You have X new messages in your mailbox” feature the next time you log in.

Options to interrupt a message

• Press 7 to Skip Back. This skips back 5 seconds in the message. (This works well when someone leaves a phone number and you didn’t get it written down fast enough.)
• Press 8 to Pause the message. Press 8 again to continue playing the message.
• Press 9 to Skip Forward. This skips the message 5 seconds forward.

(B) Voice Mail­
To check messages/access your mailbox, choose one of these ways to access your mailbox then follow the prompts:

• Press *98 from your home or office phone
• Dial 541-1046 when away from your home or office phone

To Listen to New and Saved Messages
While logged into your Voice Mail you may manage messages with the following commands:

1. Press 2 to Skip to the end of the message.
2. Press 7 to Skip Back. This skips back 5 seconds in the message.
3. Press 8 to Pause the message. Press 8 again to continue playing the message.
4. Press 9 to Skip Forward. This skips the message forward 5 seconds.

To manage messages one at a time once you are in your mailbox

1. Press 1 to Re-Play the message.
2. Press 2 to Save the message. The system will then go to next message.
3. Press 3 to Delete the message. The system will then go to the next message.
4. Press 4 to Reply to the message.
5. Press 11 to Return to the previous message.
6. Press # to Go to the Next Message.
7. Press * to Return to the Main Menu.

Options to interrupt a message

1. Press 7 to Skip Back. This skips back 5 seconds in the message.
2. Press 8 to Pause the message. Press 8 again to continue playing the message.
3. Press 9 to Skip Forward. This skips the message forward 5 seconds.

To Change Mailbox Settings
The Mailbox Settings Menu allows you to change your settings such as your PIN, greeting, and other options that help save time.

1. Press 4 to reach the Mailbox Settings Menu from the Main Menu.
2. Press # to Skip to the next menu option.
3. Press 11 to Return to the Previous Menu option.
4. Press 0 to Select the Current Option.
5. Press * to Return to the Main Menu.

Two commands that are available at any time 

• Press # to Skip quickly over messages.
• Press * to Backup to the previous menu.

Call Waiting & Call Waiting Disable

Call Waiting
Call Waiting reveals when a second person is trying to call you so your telephone isn’t “busy” anymore. You will hear a tone when another caller is trying to get through. At that time you can put your first caller on hold, or you can terminate the original call and pick up the next one. Call waiting is activated immediately when the feature is requested so there’s need to press any buttons.

To answer the second call

1. Depress the hang up or flash button (cordless phones) for about one second to place your first call on hold.
2. You will automatically be connected with the second caller.
   

To alternate between calls

1. By depressing the hang up or flash button (cordless phones) for about a second, you may alternate between calls.
2. Each conversation is private and cannot be heard by the other caller.

Call Waiting Disable  *70
Call Waiting Disable lets you to shut off the Call Waiting feature so you are not interrupted during an important call or if you are using a computer modem. (Call Waiting Disable must be activated each time you want to use it. There is no additional charge; this is a feature of Call Waiting.)

To disable Call Waiting

1. Before making the call, dial *70. You will then hear two quick tones followed by a second dial tone.
2. Place your call or connect to the Internet.
3. When you terminate the call, Call Waiting will be automatically restored.

Custom Ringing
This feature has many uses because it enables two telephone numbers to be assigned to a single-party line. Each number is assigned a unique ringing pattern so you can determine the nature of the call. Some examples of the possible uses include: families can have one number for parents and another for children. To add this feature to your service, please call Blackfoot Customer Service and Sales. A minimal set-up fee applies.

Three-Way Calling
Three-Way Calling allows you to add another person to your phone call at any time. This feature allows you to make the most of every phone conversation by holding conferences with business contacts or with family and friends. To add this feature to your service, please call Blackfoot Customer Service and Sales.

To add a third party

1. To put your existing call on hold, depress the hang up or flash button for about a second.
2. Then dial the number of the third party.  (Speed Calling codes may be used if you also have this feature.)
3. When the third party answers, you may talk privately before completing your three-way connection.
4. With your third party on the line, depress the hang up or flash button for a second to add the holding party. Your Three-Way Call is now in effect. If for some reason the call to the third party is not completed, depress the hang up or flash button twice to reconnect with your original party.

To disconnect the third party

1. Depress the hang up or flash button for about a second. You will now have only the original party on the line.

To disconnect completely:

1. Simply hang up.
2. If either of the other two parties hangs up, you can continue to talk to the one remaining. If you hang up first, all connections are released.

Continuous Redial - Activate *66 /Deactivate *86
This feature enables you to save time by letting your service automatically call back the busy number without you dialing. When the line is free a special ring will alert you, and then the call will be automatically placed. This process is attempted for up to 30 minutes.
After you have reached a busy number, hang up the phone. Then pick up the handset again and dial *66. This will activate Continuous Redial. If you decide to cancel the redial, simply press *86 at any time.

Last Call Return *69
This makes it easy to return missed calls.  After entering *69, a voice message delivers the calling party’s number. You are then given the opportunity to return the call. Last Call Return works whether the incoming call was answered or unanswered. If the number of the last incoming call is a “Blocked Number”, it will not be voiced back.
By pressing *69, you will be given the number of the last party who called and the time they attempted to call you. If you wish to return the call, continue by pressing 1. (Long distance charges may apply.)

Per Call Blocking *67
This feature provides privacy to the calling party. Your telephone number will be marked “Anonymous” or “Private” on calls to customers with Caller ID. Call Blocking is available on a per call or a per line basis. The code must be entered before dialing each call you want blocked if you do not have per line blocking. The above code allows you to block your calls on a per call basis.

Toll Authorization
This feature will allow you to restrict unwanted long distance calls from being placed from your telephone. By adding the Toll Authorization feature, you will be able to activate and deactivate this feature thereby controlling the long distance calls being placed from your telephone. To activate, please call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service.

1. Dial the long distance number you want to call.  You will be prompted to enter your personal identification number (PIN).
2. Dial the long distance number you want to call.  You will hear a second dial tone at which time you will enter your personal identification number (PIN).

Call Forwarding-Related Features

Call Forwarding - Activate*72/Deactivate *73

To activate Call Forwarding

1. Dial *72.
2. When you hear a second dial tone, dial the number to which you will be forwarding your calls.
3. If the line is busy or no one answers, hang up and repeat steps 1 and 2. When you hear two quick tones followed by a regular dial tone, you will know Call Forwarding is in effect.

To deactivate Call Forwarding

1. Dial *73. Two quick tones followed by a dial tone or fast busy signal mean your calls are no longer being transferred.

Call Forward Busy
Call Forward Busy gives you the flexibility of forwarding a second caller to a predetermined number of your choice. This means when your telephone is busy, calls are automatically sent to the telephone number you request the phone company to program. Caution:  If using this feature with Internet and you also have Call Waiting, you MUST disable Call Waiting when online as Call Forward Busy will not work OR you could possibly be disconnected from the Internet. (See Call Waiting Instructions.)

(A) Call Forward Busy -- Call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to activate.

(B) Call Forward Busy -- *90 activate/*91 deactivate
In this version of Busy Call Forward, you can manually turn the service on and off from your own phone.

To activate Call Forward Busy

1. Dial *90
2. Wait for a confirmation tone, then dial the number to which you will be forwarding your calls.
3. Wait for the call to be answered.  (You must wait for the call to be answered or you will have to start the busy call forward activation over again.)
   

To deactivate Call Forward Busy

1. Dial *91

Call Forward No Answer
Call Forward No Answer helps in times when it is impossible to make it to the phone. This feature allows you to select a number that Blackfoot will program for you to receive calls when your phone is not answered. Caution:  If using this feature with Internet and you also have Call Waiting, you MUST disable Call Waiting when online as Call Forward Busy will not work OR you could possibly be disconnected from the Internet. (See Call Waiting Instructions.)

1. Call Forward No Answer -- Call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to activate.
2. Call Forward No Answer -- *92 activate/*92 deactivate
    In this version of Delayed Call Forwarding, you can manually turn the service on and off from your own phone.
   

To activate Delayed Call Forwarding

1.  Dial *92
2. Wait for a confirmation tone, then dial the number to which you will be forwarding your calls.
3. Wait for the call to be answered.  (You must wait for the call to be answered or you will have to start the delayed call forward activation over again.)

To deactivate Delayed Call Forwarding

1. Dial *93

Remote Call Forwarding
Remote Call Forwarding (RCF) is a service which allows incoming calls to be forwarded to a telephone number in a distant location.  RCF requires neither a physical telephone set nor physical input by the caller to get calls forwarded.  If calls are forwarded to a long distance number, long distance toll charges will be billed.

Caller I.D. – Related Features

Caller Identification (Caller ID)
Caller ID is a service allowing you to view the calling party’s telephone number and name before answering the call. Anyone calling from an area with the ability to offer calling number and/or name delivery will have the telephone number identified. (Please note, you may need to purchase equipment with the ability to display Caller Identification information.)

Call Waiting with Caller Identification (Caller ID)
This features allows you to view a second calling party’s telephone number and name before putting a first caller on hold. You have the option to answer the second incoming call. Please call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to activate this feature. Once enabled, no customer programming is necessary. 

Anonymous Call Rejection - Activate *77/Deactivate *87
This allows you to block all callers who have chosen to block their names and numbers from being displayed on your line. These callers will receive a recording stating that your telephone does not accept blocked calls. If the caller cancels the blocking option and calls again, the call will be accepted. Please call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to activate this feature.

Blocked Or Anonymous Calls *67
Blocking prevents a caller’s phone number and name from being displayed when a call is made. If a caller has chosen to have his/her telephone number blocked, you will see “Private Name” or “Private Number” on the display unit. At that time you can choose whether or not to respond to the caller. (You cannot block delivery of your Caller ID to toll free numbers, 900 or 9-1-1.) There is no charge for the use of these features.

Your Blocking Options

1. Per-use blocking: With this feature you can block delivery when you want privacy by pressing *67 and then the desired phone number. This is a manual service you can turn on from your own phone each time you block your number.
2. Permanent blocking: With this feature you can permanently prevent your name and number from appearing on calls. This feature will not block incoming calls. Call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to activate.

Suppression Of Caller ID Blocking *82
This feature enables customers who permanently block his/her identity, to reveal their name and numbers on a per-call basis. This is a temporary lift of Caller ID Blocking. If you want to permanently deactivate this feature because some people do not accept calls from anonymous parties, you will need to contact Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service.

Advanced Calling Features

To establish your Speed Calling list

1. Lift the receiver and listen for the dial tone.
2. Dial *75.
3. Listen for a broken dial tone.
4. Dial one of the appropriate two-digit access codes (eligible programming numbers are 20 through 49).
5. Dial the phone number you wish to correspond with the Speed Calling Code.  (For long distance numbers, dial 1 and the area code before the number.)
6. Depress the # button. Listen for a confirmation tone to indicate your Speed Calling number is established.

To use your Speed Calling feature

1. 1. Lift the handset and listen for the dial tone.
   2. Dial the appropriate two-digit access number (20 through 49).
   3. (A) Depress the # button.
       (B) Depress the # button or wait 4 seconds.

To change your Speed Calling list

1. Simply follow the same steps for establishing your list.  A new number automatically cancels out the existing number.

Call Forward, Remote Access

This feature allows you to activate or deactivate the Call Forwarding feature from a local or remote telephone. Please call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to set-up this feature, then dial the following numbers: a special access local telephone number that will be provided by Blackfoot upon ordering, your telephone number, your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the activation/deactivation code. You must have regular Call Forwarding on your phone for this service to work.

(A) Call Forward, Remote Access
Please read the instructions completely before beginning programming. First-time activation must be completed from the phone you wish to forward calls from.

To change your PIN Number

1. Dial *95.
2. Without hanging up, dial *54#. There will be a pause.
3. Enter the old PIN number.  (This will be the last four digits of the home/business telephone number, followed by the # sign.)
4. Enter the new 4-digit PIN number followed by the # sign.
5. Confirm the new 4-digit PIN number followed by the # sign. (A message will verify that the PIN has been changed.)

To activate Call Forward, Remote Access

1. Dial the appropriate access number.
2. Enter the 7-digit phone number from which calls will be forwarded followed by the 4-digit PIN number and the # sign.
3. Enter *72#.
4. Dial the phone number where you want your calls forwarded followed by the # sign. (1 + area code is required for long distance.)
5. Press 1 to activate.

To deactivate Call Forward, Remote Access

1. Call the appropriate access number.
2. Enter your phone number followed by your PIN number and the # sign.
3. Press *73#.

(B) Call Forward, Remote Access
Please read the instructions completely before beginning programming. This feature can be activated from any phone. 

To activate Call Forward, Remote Access

1. Dial the appropriate access number.
2. Enter the 10-digit phone number you will be forwarding calls to, followed by the # sign.
3. Enter your PIN number followed by the # sign. (This number is defaulted to the last 4-digits of the number you will be forwarding calls from.)
4. Enter the access code *72.
5. After a brief pause, you will hear a dial tone. Enter the number you want your calls forwarded to, exactly as it is normally dialed (e.g. If a “9” is dialed off a phone system to grab an outside line, enter that digit. If you will be forwarding calls to a long distance number enter all 10-digits of this number.)
6. After the “forward to” number is entered, you will hear a double beep. Do not hang up. Wait for someone at the “forward to” number to answer.
7. If there is no answer at the “forward to” number, hang up and repeat all the steps. After completing step 6 the second time you will hear a fast busy signal.  This indicates your calls will be successfully forwarded.

To deactivate Call Forward, Remote Access
To disable the Call Forwarding feature from the forwarded number, follow these steps.

1. Enter *73. The double beep will indicate the feature is no longer active.

To disable the Call Forwarding feature remotely

1. Dial the appropriate access number.
2. Enter the 10-digit phone number you were forwarding calls from, followed by the # sign.
3. Enter your PIN number followed by the # sign.
4. Enter *73. The double beep will indicate the feature is no longer active.

Selective Call Acceptance *64
Selective Call Acceptance allows you to create a list of up to 12 phone numbers from which you are willing to accept calls. Any parties not on the acceptance list will receive an announcement informing them that you are not presently accepting calls. Please call Blackfoot Customer Sales and Service to add this feature to your plan. You are able to review and manually change the list of accepted callers as well as disable it from your phone.

To create your Selective Call Acceptance list

1. Press *64 followed by # sign, the telephone number and #. (To add other numbers, continue with #, number, #, until all the numbers have been entered.)
2. Press 3 to activate once your list is complete.

To edit your Selective Call Acceptance list
 If you would like to hear the list of numbers in your Selective Call Acceptance list, press 1 while you are logged into the command.

1. Press *64, *then the appropriate number, then *. 
2. Press *64, then 08* to remove all numbers from your list.

To deactivate your Selective Call Acceptance list

1. Press *64, then press 3.

Selective Call Forwarding *63
Selective Call Forwarding allows you to create a list of up to 12 phone numbers that will be forwarded to the telephone number of your choice. You are able to review and manually change the list as well as disable it from your phone. Any calls from numbers not on your list will be treated in a normal manner.
           
To create you Selective Call Forwarding list

1. Press *63 followed by #, the telephone number and #. (To add other numbers, continue with #, the telephone number and #, until all the numbers have been entered.)
2. Press 3 to activate once your list is complete.
3. Enter the number where you want your calls to be forwarded.

To edit you’re your Selective Call Forwarding list
If you would like to hear the list of numbers in your Selective Call Forwarding list, press 1 while you are logged into the command.

1. Press *63, *the appropriate number, then *.
2. Press *63, then will remove all numbers from your list.

To deactivate your Selective Call Forwarding list

1. Press *63, then press 3.

Selective Call Rejection *60
This call screening feature allows you to create a list of up to 12 phone numbers from which you do not wish to receive calls. Any phone numbers on your call Selective Call Rejection will receive an announcement explaining you are not accepting calls at this time. All other calls are treated normally.

To create you Selective Call Rejection list

1. Press *60 followed by #, the phone number and #. (To add other numbers, continue with #, the telephone number and #, until all the numbers have been entered.)
2. Press 3 to activate once your list is complete.
3. Enter the number where you want your calls to be forwarded.

To edit you’re your Selective Call Rejection list
If you would like to hear the list of numbers in your Selective Call Rejection list, press 1 while you are logged into the command.

1. Press *60, *the appropriate number, then *.
2. Press *60, then 08* will remove all numbers from your list.

To deactivate your Selective Call Rejection list

1.  Press *60, then press 3.

Distinctive Ringing/Call Waiting *61
With this feature you are able to program your telephone to ring with a distinctive ringing pattern or a distinctive Call Waiting tone whenever you are called by your selected list of phone numbers. You can manually define up to 12 telephone numbers that you want to be announced with the special ring. All incoming calls that are not on the list will ring in the normal tone.

To create you Distinctive Calling Waiting list

1. Press *61 followed by #, the phone number and #. (To add other numbers, continue with #, the telephone number and #, until all the numbers have been entered.)
2. Press 3 to activate once your list is complete.
3. Enter the number where you want your calls to be forwarded.

To edit you’re your Distinctive Calling Waiting list
If you would like to hear the list of numbers in your Selective Call Rejection list, press 1 while you are logged into the command.

1. Press *61, *the appropriate number, then *.
2. Press *61, then 08* will remove all numbers from your list.

To deactivate your Distinctive Calling Waiting list

1.  Press *61, then press 3.

Customer Originated Trace *57
This allows you to automatically request a trace on your last incoming call simply by pressing *57. Once you have initiated the Customer Originated Trace, the calling information (phone number and time) is forwarded directly to Blackfoot. Please immediately contact Blackfoot after this step so we can begin working with the appropriate local law enforcement. The trace information will only be released to those agencies. A substantial per-use fee will apply.

To begin a Customer Originated Trace

1. Hang up the phone immediately after receiving the call.
2. Pick up the phone and press *57 and follow the prompts.
3. Write down the time that you originated the trace. It will be necessary to have this information when you talk to Blackfoot.