# DID Mailboxes

DID mailboxes allow callers to dial a telephone number that is answered with the mailbox greeting. While some systems can use the PBX forwarding capability to allow the voice mail system to answer calls with the user’s mailbox greeting, DID mailboxes answer the calls directly.

## Logging in to DID Information-Only Mailboxes (Including Greeting-Only Mailboxes)

Mailboxes with Greeting-only, Chain, and Time classes of service (and any other FCOS that issue greetings and do not receive outside caller messages) are collectively referred to as "Information-only" mailboxes. The login procedure for DID Information-only mailboxes differs from the procedure for mailboxes with other FCOS.

## To Log in to a DID Information-Only Mailbox

To eliminate confusion, subscribers who choose DID Information-only mailboxes should be informed of this login procedure.

1. Press the * key (star), or 0 key (zero), while the greeting is playing. This process does not interrupt the greeting; the greeting continues to play. The system prompts you to enter a passcode (if the mailbox is passcode protected).

   Note: You do not have to wait for the prompt, but you must wait until the entire greeting plays before entering your passcode.

2. Enter your passcode. You are now logged in.

## Recording the First Greeting for DID Information-Only Mailboxes

New DID Information-only mailboxes do not have greetings. When a new user tries to access the mailbox to record a greeting, the system responds: "That is not a valid mailbox number." The user must press the * key (star) or 0 key (zero) (while "That is not a valid mailbox number" plays) and enter the passcode.

This procedure can be confusing for a new user. To alleviate the confusion, perform the following steps:

1. Initially assign Unlimited FCOS (FCOS 1) to the mailbox.

2. Log in to the mailbox, and record a greeting to welcome the new subscriber.

3. After the greeting is recorded, use the Modify command to give the mailbox the correct FCOS (Modify a Mailbox by Phone).

## Login Tip for DID Mailbox Users

When a subscriber has a DID mailbox that can receive messages (non-Information-only class of service), toll charges can be saved by using this tip:

When a user calls in to check for messages and the phone rings, the user should hang up immediately. Ringing indicates that no unplayed messages exist in the mailbox; if users hang up before the system answers, the call is not charged. If the system answers the call with the mailbox greeting before callers hear ringing, there are unplayed messages in the mailbox.

Parent topic: Telephone Answering Service