Auto 1+Area Code feature for Cisco Ata-186 Adapter

Posts: 24 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 05, 2003 Posts: 24

Seems like Csco could add a feature to automate adding the 1+areacode to the 7 digit number you dial. Has anyone heard of this request to cisco or Vonage. The conect would be to allow the user to program in the proper aread code into the ATA (Also allow the user to change the areacode as needed) then when a user dials a seven digit number, the ATA the prefixes the number with a 1+areacode. IF user dials a 11 digit number then the ATA prefixes nothing. ANother method would be to have the prefixing done on the Vonage side and allow the user to configure the areacode via the Vonage web site.

Any thoughts from the group. Maybe this could be an add-on device that sits between the phone line and the ATA though I think a software only solution would be perferable.

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:13 pm Post subject:

Is it really THAT hard to dial "1" ???

Posts: 24 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 05, 2003 Posts: 24

It's not just the "1" it is the area code also. Not that it is a big deal, just might make the learning curve easier. My wife and kids always forget to dial the 1=AreaCode before callng their friends. If this can be a simple firmware upgrade to the ATA or a new feature on the Vonage configuration, then it would be worth it.

Posts: 40 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2003 7:24 am Post subject:

My thoughts are that it's not that hard to dial 1+AC+number.

Many major metro areas in the US w/ overlaid area codes (mine included) require 10-digit dialing already. Adding the 1 isn't that hard and besides, it provides a CONSISTANT dialing scheme for any domestic call.

No more figuring out if the correct dialing scheme for a particular call requires 7 digits, 1+7 digits, 10 digits, or all 11.

Additionally, prepending numbers could easily cause problems with 911 and international dialing.

I suppose it probably cound be done w/ the ATA or centrally, but I see it as a needless complication to a system which is pretty good, but not yet exactly what I'd yet call "solid."

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 04, 2003 Posts: 6

I agree with those who say it isn't hard to dial 1+AC (in my area, we've been dialing ACs for local calls for years), but it would be a nice feature for visitors:

Whenever anyone comes to my house I have to explain our phone system... dial 1, but it isn't really a long distance call yada yada yada...

Today, I had to explain it to the babysitter (along with the differences in 911 calling).

The gold standard for Vonage will be when anyone walks in, uses the phone, and detects no differences.

Posts: 24 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 05, 2003 Posts: 24

OK I agree the edtra digits are not a big deal. If the solution can be to allow the customer to setup on the Vonage web site an OPTIONAL prefix for 7 digit dials thn we may get closer to the GOLD standard as stated in the last reply. As for priority, it's way down on the list. We need Caller Name and a few other features first. One feature we really need is for Vonage to post System outages. This to means is just common curtesy and would reduce the number of Tech calls. Seems there new Server fell and could not get back up tonight. Also makes me wonder if the call manager server has a rollover feature for such situations. Maybe this sould be a new thread.

Posts: 38 · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2003 8:16 am Post subject:

Service in many more area codes would also seem to be a priority. Dialing 7 or 11 doesn't seem like as large an issue when you can't get Vonage service with your area code...