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Service Description and Signup
Q: What is CURRENT Voice phone service?
A: CURRENT Voice telephone service uses Voice over Internet Protocol (Voice over IP, or “VoIP”) technology delivered through the CURRENT Communications power line network. CURRENT Voice offers unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada, plus great features such as Voice Mail, Caller ID and Call Forwarding, for one low monthly price.
Additional charges apply for calls to Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, and for international, directory assistance and operator-assisted calls.
Q: What service plans are available?
A: Service plans vary by market. Click here to view plans available in your area.
Q: How is CURRENT Voice different from my traditional telephone service?
A: CURRENT Voice delivers high-quality, feature-rich telephone service at a substantially reduced cost when compared to traditional telephone services. In addition to saving up to hundreds of dollars per year on your phone bills, you will have access to our MyAccountCenter website where you can manage your calling features, listen to Voice Mail and view your call and billing history.
Q: How does CURRENT Voice phone service work?
A: CURRENT Voice uses VoIP technology to deliver telephone service over your power lines. A small Telephone Adapter converts your voice into digital information which is then transmitted to the person you want to call. You can make and receive calls and use most calling features in the same manner as traditional home phone service.
Q: Do I need to dial the area code when I make local calls?
A: You can enjoy the convenience of 7-digit dialing for local calls within the same area code as your primary CURRENT Voice phone number, even if you live in an area that requires 10-digit dialing for local calls made with traditional telephone service. Simply dial the 7-digit phone number for local calls within your area code. However, local calls outside of your area code require 10-digit dialing.
Q: Does CURRENT Voice replace my existing telephone service?
A: CURRENT Voice is designed to replace your existing phone service so that you can save up to hundreds of dollars per year on your phone bills. It includes E911 support, the ability to keep your number and free connection to your house telephone wiring (some restrictions apply, contact us for details). You can also choose to use CURRENT Voice to save money on your long distance and international calling as a second phone line.
Q: What telephone numbers can I choose from?
A: Your primary CURRENT Voice telephone number area code and exchange will be issued based on your physical home address.
Q: Can I keep my existing home phone number with CURRENT Voice?
A: Yes. In most cases, you can transfer or “port” your existing number to CURRENT Voice so that your friends, family and contacts can continue to call you at the same number. After you connect your equipment and are satisfied with your service, simply call us at 1.877.7PLUGIN to initiate the number porting process.
Q: Will my CURRENT Voice phone number be listed so that others can find my number?
A: Yes. If you choose to port your existing phone number, you will be given the option to keep or remove your present directory listing. If you are not porting your number, you can simply call us at 1.877.7PLUGIN to request that your number be listed once you have installed and activated your service.
Q: Will CURRENT Voice service work with the existing telephone jacks throughout my house?
A: Yes. If you wish to use CURRENT Voice from the telephone jacks in your house, please contact us to schedule a service visit. Our free in-home installation service includes disconnecting your home’s internal telephone wiring from your existing telephone provider and connecting CURRENT Voice service to your existing home telephone wiring. Some restrictions may apply – contact us for details.
Q: Is “Enhanced 911” emergency dispatch service available with CURRENT Voice?
A: Yes. CURRENT Voice provides Enhanced 911 service which is designed to route your emergency calls directly to public safety operators who can then dispatch the appropriate emergency resources in your area. There are, however, important differences between 911 capabilities available from Internet telephone services and those offered by traditional telephone service. Refer to the CURRENT Voice Service Agreement for additional information.
Q: Do I need to subscribe to broadband Internet service in order to get CURRENT Voice?
A: No. Unlike other VoIP services, CURRENT Voice telephone service is available without a subscription to broadband Internet service.
Q: Can I use CURRENT Voice even though I have a broadband Internet service connection from another company?
A: Yes. Since CURRENT Voice phone service is delivered through your power lines, it does not depend on or interfere with any existing broadband Internet service connection that you may have. However, we encourage you to experience the performance, convenience and price benefits of subscribing to the CURRENT PowerHouse™ package which includes CURRENT Voice as well as CURRENT Broadband® Internet access.
Q: Are Directory Assistance and Operator Assistance services available with CURRENT Voice?
A: Yes. With CURRENT Voice, you can dial 411 or 555-1212 to access directory assistance. You can also dial 0 for Operator Assistance or 00 for International Operator Assistance services. Additional charges apply for Directory Assistance and Operator Assisted calls.
Q: Can I get more than one telephone line?
A: We currently offer one primary telephone number and up to three Virtual Numbers per household.
Q: Is CURRENT Voice available in my area?
A: If you are presently a CURRENT Broadband subscriber, or if you have received direct mail from CURRENT Communications, then you are eligible to sign up for CURRENT Voice phone service. If you are not sure, please call us at 1.877.7PLUGIN and we will determine if service is available at your address.
Q: How do I order CURRENT Voice phone service?
A: Simply click here or call us at 1.877.7PLUGIN to sign up today.
Q: How quickly after I sign up will the CURRENT Voice welcome kit arrive?
A: Your CURRENT Voice welcome kit will arrive approximately 3-5 business days after your order has been processed.
Features
Q: What calling features are included with the CURRENT Voice phone service?
A: Included in the CURRENT Voice Unlimited calling plan are the following calling features - all at no extra charge:
• Voice Mail including remote & web access
• Caller ID
• Call Waiting
• Call Forwarding
• Call Blocking
• Do-Not-Disturb
• 3-Way Calling
• Speed Dialing
• 7-Digit Dialing within Area Code
• *66 Redial
• *69 Last Call Return
• *70 Call Waiting Disable
• *77 Anonymous Call Rejection
Q: What advanced web features are available with CURRENT Voice?
A: With CURRENT Voice phone service, you get access to advanced online feature management tools including:
Caller ID: Display (or don’t display) your name and telephone number to others when making outgoing calls. You can also configure a Virtual Number (optional feature) as the number displayed to your callers.
Voice Mail: Play, save and delete your Voice Mail messages from your web browser. You can also enable automatic e-mail notification so that you are immediately aware when you have new messages. You can even configure e-mail notification to include your new Voice Mail message as an e-mail attachment.
Call Forwarding: Configure different forwarding numbers (or forward to Voice Mail) for the following conditions: All Calls, No Answer, or Busy Signal.
Reach Me: Expecting an important call, but not sure where you will be to receive it? You can set up Reach Me to automatically direct incoming calls to as many as five different phone numbers. An incoming call is then connected to whichever phone you answer. Calls can be directed to Reach Me numbers all at once or in sequence. You may also configure the number of rings before a call is transferred to the next Reach Me phone number.
Call Blocking: Determine the calls you receive by assigning telephone numbers to an “accept” or “reject” list, or block anonymous calls. Once you setup your call Blocked or Accepted lists online, you can enable Call Blocking by keying *64 on your CURRENT Voice phone and disable Call Blocking by keying *84.
Speed Dial: Add, delete or edit your Speed Dial list online. Once your Speed Dial list is configured, simply dial the star key twice (**), followed by the Speed Dial code assigned to the number you wish to call.
Do Not Disturb: Block all incoming calls and play a preset announcement to callers, who will then be forwarded to Voice Mail. You can define a 4-digit code that “preferred” callers can use to bypass the Do Not Disturb announcement and complete the call. A timer can also be set to disable the Do Not Disturb option at a specific time.
Click2Call: The Click2Call feature allows you to initiate a call directly from the MyAccountCenter. On the Call History, Speed Dial, and Voice Mail pages, a Click2Call icon will appear beside each phone number. Clicking the icon places a call to that number immediately or up to 30 minutes later. (You can choose when the call will be made.)
View Call History: View your call history online including the date/time of the call, phone number, called party name (if available), location, duration and charges for out-of-plan calls or directory/operator assistance services.
Online e-Statements: View your account activity online, including payments, credits, discounts, monthly service charges, out-of-plan calling charges, directory/operator assistance services charges, taxes and fees.
Service Language and Time Zone: Select the language in which you will hear the telephone prompts and the time zone associated with your Voice Mail messages.
Find Rates: View our great rates for international and out-of-plan calling destinations.
Q: What are Virtual Numbers?
A: CURRENT Voice virtual numbers allow your family and friends to call you for less. Virtual Numbers are secondary numbers that ring to your primary CURRENT Voice line. You can choose from a variety of local area codes throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. For example, if you live in Cincinnati and have family in Miami, your family can call you for the price of a local call if you choose a virtual phone number within their local calling area. Then, your family will no longer pay long distance charges when they call you.
Virtual Numbers are also ideal for situations when you don’t want to give out your home phone number. For example, you can direct callers to a virtual line when posting classified ads or looking for a new job.
You can add up to three Virtual Numbers to your plan with area codes that you choose. Each virtual number you select will incur a monthly feature charge.
Q: What are International Minutes?
A: CURRENT Voice International Minutes are bundles of outbound calling minutes to select countries that can reduce your per-minute cost and provide an even better value than our already low per-minute international rates.
For example, if you subscribe to International Minutes - Mexico 120, you will be able to make up to 2 hours of calls to Mexico for $9.95 per month, or just over 8¢ per minute. You can save money when calling internationally, and budget your overall monthly CURRENT Voice costs!
You can subscribe to one International Minutes bundle per country available. Each International Minutes bundle you subscribe to will incur a monthly feature charge in addition to your CURRENT Voice calling plan charges, whether or not you use all of the minutes allowed.
Equipment and Installation Questions
Q: What equipment is required? Is there an equipment fee?
A: You supply the telephone and we supply the rest – free of charge! Your shipment will include everything else you need to use the service including a CURRENT Voice telephone adapter, power line modem and surge suppressor.
Q: Do I have to use a special telephone?
A: No. You may use most any standard cordless or wired telephone. However, your phone(s) must be capable of touch-tone dialing. Rotary phones and phones that utilize pulse dialing are not supported.
Q: Do I need a computer to use CURRENT Voice?
A: No. You do not need a computer to make and receive calls using CURRENT Voice. However, you will need a computer with Internet access if you wish to take advantage of our advanced web-based feature management tools or access your account on-line.
Q: Do I need an Ethernet router in order to use CURRENT Voice?
A: No. You do not need a router or any other equipment except a standard touch-tone telephone.
Q: Can I install CURRENT Voice myself?
A: The CURRENT Voice welcome kit includes complete instructions so that you can install the service in your home and begin making calls within a few minutes. Simply connect the equipment as shown in the installation diagram. Then plug the power line modem to an available electrical outlet in your house. It’s that simple! You also have the option to request free installation by our trained service technicians.
Q: Can CURRENT Voice be installed so that I can use it from any telephone jack in my house?
A: Upon request, our service technicians can perform free in-home installation service, including disconnecting any telephone company wiring from your house and connecting CURRENT Voice phone service to your existing home telephone wiring. Some restrictions apply – contact us at 1.877.7PLUGIN for details.
Using the Service
Q: Do I have to do anything different when making or receiving calls?
A: No. With CURRENT Voice you can make and receive calls just like with your traditional phone service. You also can enjoy the convenience of 7-digit dialing for local calls within the area code of your primary CURRENT Voice phone number.
Q: Do other people need CURRENT Voice to call me?
A: No. Anyone with phone service that can place calls to ordinary telephone numbers can call you at your CURRENT Voice phone number.
Q: Can I dial 900, 976, 1010, and other special service or premium charged numbers?
A: No. These numbers are not supported.
Q: Can I block calls from specific numbers or anonymous numbers?
A: Yes. The Call Blocking feature gives you the option to create a “blocked” list (you will NOT receive ANY calls from the phone numbers on the list) or an “accepted” list (you will receive calls ONLY from the phone numbers on the list). Once you set up your call Blocked or Accepted lists on-line, you can enable Call Blocking by keying *64 on your CURRENT Voice phone and disable Call Blocking by keying *84. You can also enable Anonymous Call Rejection which blocks calls when the Caller ID information s not available.
Q: Does CURRENT Voice support connection to fax machines, satellite dish receivers and digital video recorder systems?
A: Many fax machines, satellite dish receivers and other devices that utilize a dial-up modem connection will work with CURRENT Voice service. Alternatively, some of these devices may be connected to a broadband connection through an Ethernet or USB port. Consult your hardware manufacturer or service provider for further information. CURRENT cannot guarantee that the service will work with any particular device or installation.
Q: Does CURRENT Voice work during a power outage?
A: No. CURRENT Voice will not work when the power is out in your home or any portion of the electrical network CURRENT Communications uses to deliver the Service to your home.
Q: Does CURRENT Voice support connection to monitored security systems and medical monitoring ?
A: No. CURRENT Voice presently does not support connection to monitored security systems or medical monitoring devices that require a phone line connection. It is a violation of our service agreement to connect any of these devices to CURRENT Voice service. You may wish to retain a basic traditional phone line which can be connected to the device(s) separately from your primary CURRENT Voice phone line.
Q: Can I take my CURRENT Voice telephone adapter to another location?
A: The CURRENT Voice Service Agreement prohibits using your telephone adapter from any location other than the service address associated with your CURRENT Voice account in our records. If you wish to use your telephone adapter at a different address, you must first call us to verify that CURRENT can provide service at that location and provide us with the new address information for our records. If you attempt to connect your telephone adapter to another company’s broadband network or to use it at an address other than the service address associated with your account, CURRENT does not guarantee that the Service will function properly for 911 or other calls.
Q: Does CURRENT Voice support TTY or TDD services for the hearing-impaired?
A: CURRENT is committed to providing access to the Service, including 911 capabilities, to persons with disabilities as required by law. If you intend to use a TDD, TYY or similar device with the Service, we recommend that you verify that the device can communicate successfully using the Service with the agency responsible for responding to 911 calls from your service address.
Technical Questions
Q: What is a telephone adapter?
A: The telephone adapter is a small device that allows you to use a standard wired or cordless touch-tone telephone to make and receive calls over the Internet. The telephone adapter and a power line modem to connect it to CURRENT’s network, is included in the CURRENT Voice welcome kit.
Q: Can I download files, check e-mail, and surf the web while talking on the phone?
A: Yes. Our network is designed to maintain optimum voice quality while you simultaneously surf the Internet.
Q: Can I use CURRENT Voice if I have an existing home router or wireless router?
A: Yes. Since CURRENT Voice is connected to a separate, dedicated power line modem, any devices that you have connected to an existing router will not be affected by CURRENT Voice.
Q: Can I connect the telephone adapter to an Internet router or vice-versa?
A: No. The telephone adapter should not be connected to an Internet router in any way. In order to ensure proper operation, the telephone adapter must be connected directly to the power line modem (included in your welcome kit) as described in the installation diagram. No other equipment should be connected to the telephone adapter LAN port.
Billing Questions
Q: How much does CURRENT Voice phone service cost?
A: CURRENT Voice provides more features, greater flexibility and a better value than traditional phone service. Refer to the Services and Pricing section of www.current.net for specific pricing and service package details.
Q: Is there a “package deal” or “bundle” containing CURRENT Voice and CURRENT Broadband Internet Access?
A: Yes. Refer to the CURRENT PowerHouse Package in the Services and Pricing section of www.current.net.
Q: Will I be charged for local and domestic U.S. long distance calls?
A: It depends on the service plan you select. The CURRENT Voice Unlimited plan includes free calling within the United States and Canada. For all plans, calls to US territories, the Virgin Islands and international destinations are billed per-minute according to the CURRENT Voice Out-of-Plan rates. Some restrictions apply. Refer to the CURRENT Voice Service Agreement for additional information.
Q:What are the rates for international and out-of-plan calls?
A: See the CURRENT Voice® Out-of-Plan Calling Rates table for rates for direct-dialed calls.
Q: How will I be billed?
A: You will see one monthly charge on your credit card which consists of advance billing of your monthly service charge plus any applicable taxes and fees, as well as the previous month’s out-of-plan usage-based charges such as directory assistance, operator assisted, or international calling. If your out-of-plan charges for the Service exceed $50 at any point during a monthly billing cycle, those charges will immediately be billed to your credit card.
Q: Are there any charges for the equipment CURRENT provides when I sign up for CURRENT Voice service.
A: There are no equipment charges. All required equipment will be provided to you at no charge. All you need is a touch-tone phone.
Q: What other taxes, fees or surcharges will appear on my monthly e-statement?
A: CURRENT Voice phone service is subject to the following taxes and fees in the state of Ohio:
• Sales Tax according to the rate in your state/county/jurisdiction.
• Regulatory Recovery Fee of $1.00 to cover regulatory-related costs that CURRENT Communications incurs from its suppliers. This charge may reflect costs related to items such as 911 emergency services, local number portability costs and other regulatory-related fees and costs.
• Federal Universal Service Fund Charge. The federal Universal Service Fund (USF) is used to provide telephone service to schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, and low-income, rural and other consumers. The Federal Communications Commission requires communications carriers to make payments to the federal USF based on the services used by their customers. The actual amount of federal USF charges on your bill will vary depending on your out-of-plan usage and the USF contribution factors established quarterly by the FCC. For customers who do not make any out-of-plan calls, we estimate that the federal USF charge on your monthly billing statements will be less than $2.50.
In the state of Texas:
• Sales & Local Taxes are applied according to the rate in your state/county/jurisdiction. Sales and local taxes are assessed on CURRENT Voice monthly service charges, monthly feature charges (if applicable) and any out-of-plan calling charges incurred.
• Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) is used to support the deployment and use of advanced telecommunications technologies in Texas public schools, hospitals, libraries, and other public institutions. The state of Texas requires telecommunications service providers to make payments to the TIF based on the services used by their customers. The TIF charges on your bill will be 1.25% of CURRENT Voice monthly service charges, monthly feature charges (if applicable), any out-of-plan calling charges incurred, and sales & local tax assessments
• Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) is used to provide telephone service to schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, and low-income, rural and other consumers. The Federal Communications Commission requires communications carriers to make payments to the federal USF based on the services used by their customers. The actual amount of federal USF charges on your bill will vary depending on your calling plan, your out-of-plan usage and the USF contribution factors established quarterly by the FCC. For CURRENT Voice Unlimited plan customers who do not make any out-of-plan calls, we estimate that the federal USF charge on your monthly billing statements will be less than $2.50.
• Regulatory Recovery Fee of $1.00 to cover regulatory-related costs that CURRENT Communications incurs from its suppliers. This charge may reflect costs related to items such as 911 emergency services, local number portability costs and other regulatory-related fees and costs.
Q: Do I need to sign a long-term service contract?
A: No. There are no long-term service contracts to sign. You can cancel your CURRENT Voice service at any time without penalty.
Q: How do I view my bill?
A: You can view your account activity and billing statements online by logging into the MyAccount section of our website.
Q: What will I be charged if I cancel within the first 30 days?
A: If you cancel your CURRENT Voice service during the 30-day risk-free trial period, you will be responsible only for any usage charges you have incurred, such as operator assistance, directory assistance, or international calling and any related taxes and fees.
Q: Are there any termination or cancellation fees?
A: No. There are no termination or cancellation fees.
Q: Do I need to return any equipment if I decide to cancel?
A: If you cancel service within the first year, you are responsible for returning the telephone adapter, power line modem and surge protector provided with your welcome kit. You will be charged the full retail price of these devices if you fail to return them within 30 days of cancellation.
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