Basic phone use

Outside calls

To answer (double-ring cadence): Lift the handset or press SPEAKER. If using a Cordless Handset, either press TALK or remove the Cordless Handset from its charging cradle.

To place: Lift the handset or press SPEAKER. Then either press an unlit line key or dial 9 (or 8 or 71–76)* to be assigned an outside dial tone. On a Cordless Handset, press TALK or dial 9 (or 8 or 71–76).*

What you dial to reach an outside line depends on your system’s particular setup. If you’re not sure, consult your System Administrator.

To hang up: Replace the handset or press RELEASE or — if using the speakerphone — press SPEAKER. If using a Cordless Handset, press TALK or put the Handset in its charging cradle.

Important:

If you’re using a VoIP-enabled system, be aware that your outside phone lines’ quality can affect the audio quality of local and remote IP phone(s). Due to the interface between advanced, packet-based phone systems and the traditional public telephone network, a poor-quality phone line can degrade audio quality, causing an echo on outside calls. An occasional echo isn’t unusual and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with your system or lines; however, if this problem occurs persistently, contact your Certified ESI Reseller for assistance.

Internal calls

To answer (single-ring cadence): In hands-free mode, answer directly through the speakerphone or pick up the handset. Or, to answer a ringing call, lift the handset or press SPEAKER. If using a Cordless Handset, either press TALK or remove the Cordless Handset from its charging cable. (To receive a “hands-free” answer call on a Cordless Handset, you must be using a headset.)

To place: Lift the handset and dial the extension number or press a station key (see “Direct station selection”). On a Cordless Handset, press TALK or dial the extension.

To hang up: Replace the handset or press RELEASE or — if using the speakerphone — press SPEAKER. If using a Cordless Handset, press TALK or put the Handset in its charging cradle.

Shortcut for either outside or internal calls on speakerphone-equipped ESI phones:
If you press a station key or dial an extension number, the phone system automatically activates the speakerphone.