Answering system
Answering system and voicemail
Your telephone has separate indicators for two different types of voice 
messages: those left on its built-in answering system and those left at 
your service provider’s voicemail (fees may apply). Your telephone’s built-
in answering system messages and voicemail messages are separate. Each 
alerts you to new messages differently. 
If you turn on the COVM feature (See COVM on page 47 
for more information) and the COVM icon displays on the 
base screen, your telephone service provider is indicating 
that it has new voicemail for you. To listen to your 
voicemail, you typically dial an access number provided 
by your telephone service provider, followed by a security 
code or PIN. 
To listen to messages recorded on your digital answering system, press  
 Messages on the telephone base (page 72).
Some service providers bundle or combine multiple services like voicemail 
and call waiting, so you may not be aware that you have voicemail. To check 
what services you have and how to access them, contact your telephone 
service provider. 
You can use your telephone answering system and voicemail together by 
setting your built-in answering system to answer before voicemail answers. 
To learn how to program your voicemail settings, contact your telephone 
service provider. 
If you are on a call, or if the answering system is busy 
recording a message and you receive another call, the second caller can leave 
a voicemail message by following the instruction below.
Set your answering system to answer calls at least two rings earlier than your 
voicemail is set to answer. For example, if your voicemail answers after six 
rings, set your answering system to answer after four rings. Some voicemail 
providers may program the delay before answering calls in seconds instead 
of rings. In this case, allow six seconds per ring when determining the 
appropriate setting.
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*: Base
0  Missed calls
2:43PM 1/13
COVM   COVM
66