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One of the most important functions is the "call waiting" function.](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/call-waiting-function#section-3) [How does the call waiting function work?](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/call-waiting-function#section-4) [3 benefits of the call waiting function](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/call-waiting-function#section-5) [How to enable and disable the call waiting function in Cloudya?](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/call-waiting-function#section-6) # Call Waiting Function With call settings, calls can be controlled precisely. One of the most important functions is the "call waiting" function. ### With call settings, calls can be controlled precisely. One of the most important functions is the "call waiting" function. Call waiting is one of the biggest benefits of modern digital telephony. The function provides a quick tone or double tone notifying the user that they have another call. The person on the phone can see who is calling to determine if the second call should be answered immediately. In addition, the person being called is not even aware of the third person's call attempt. If, on the other hand, call waiting is activated in the system settings of the telephone, the caller is informed of another incoming call - usually by a short acoustic signal consisting of two short, rapid successive tones. In this case, the caller does not receive a busy signal, but hears the normal dial tone. **The advantage:** Despite an ongoing phone call, you never miss important calls again. ### How does the call waiting function work? This function benefits both the caller and the receiver. In the event of an emergency, the caller won’t be greeted with a busy signal or go straight to voicemail. At least the receiver will be told of the call to determine if it is a priority before the caller is sent to voicemail. If the call should be answered immediately, all the person on the phone has to do is notify the first caller and put them on hold. With the press of a button, the user can switch over to the second call to quickly respond. Even if you prefer to stay with the original call, you can always call back the call-waiting person afterwards. Having the option to take an important call while on the phone helps to make people **more productive** since they can still make other calls while waiting for that crucial one. **No call is lost**. And: The formerly widespread practice of "keeping the line free" while waiting for an important call is now finally a thing of the past. ### 3 benefits of the call waiting function 1. **Direct notification** You are notified that a second call is coming through while you are talking to someone else 2. **Freedom of choice** You are given time to decide if you want to handle the second call, and you have two choices: You can either put your current caller on hold instead of hanging up or you can send the second caller to voicemail. 3. **Flexibility** Call waiting gives you flexibility so that you can take calls at your own discretion thanks to. ### How to enable and disable the call waiting function in Cloudya? These functions are already available to you with very simple office telephones. However, a modern solution such as Cloudya, the [cloud telephone system](t3://page?uid=16) from NFON, offers you far more possibilities. Why choose Cloudya from NFON? * Cloudya is easy to use, so you can quickly activate or deactivate call waiting. * With just a few clicks, you can set up to ten profiles per extension, each with individual options. For example, calls with a suppressed number can be automatically forwarded to voicemail, or only certain numbers can be allowed to call waiting. * The user can also set rules for certain times, for example during holidays. For more information on **enabling or disabling the feature** or **discovering other features**, refer to the [Cloudya manual](https://www.nfon.com/en/service/documentation/manuals/cloudya/web-app/cloudya-web-app-manual/b-using-the-app/4-call-forwarding). We have aroused your interest? Feel free to contact one of our experts! ### Call Waiting Function in modern digital telephony ![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/c3bc1c30c2/image_anklopffunktion.jpg) ### Related Articles ### Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) In telecommunications technology, the abbreviation ISDN stands for the technical term "Integrated Services Digital Network" and refers to a digital standard for telephone networks. As the name implies, various types of communication services can be transmitted through this kind of network. In addition to voice calls, ISDN allows packet-switched or circuit-switched data transmission and fax transmission. In some countries, ISDN technology has taken over from analogue telephone networks, integrating all types of services into a common network for the first time. This digitisation has also enabled digital ISDN phone lines to be made available to end users. In comparison to an analogue connection, an ISDN subscriber line offers a whole range of advantages. The basic ISDN line allows multiple phones or communication [devices](https://web-production.nfon.com/gb/products/devices), with different numbers ([MSNs](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/msn)), to operate and use two parallel connections simultaneously. In addition, the ISDN connection also offers higher data transfer rates to an analogue connection using a modem, for example, when accessing the Internet. To utilise the ISDN line, end users need special ISDN-capable phones or faxes. The use of so-called [A/B converters](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/a-b-interface), linking analogue devices to a digital connection, is common. Meanwhile, other techniques such as DSL or cable connections are used for connecting to the internet. Nowadays, phone technology is evolving away from ISDN and towards IP telephony via [Voice over IP (VoIP).](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) [Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/isdn) ### Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) **What is VoIP?** The **Voice over Internet Protocol,** also called IP telephony, is a method of communication for making calls over a broadband Internet connection as an alternative to regular calls made over an analogue phone using the [PSTN](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/pstn). These VoIP calls can happen entirely over the Internet but where required, gateways also link to the PSTN. This means that VoIP users can still connect to anyone with a telephone number including local, mobile, and international numbers. VoIP services can be accessed from a computer with a so-called [softphone,](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/softphones) from an IP phone, from a smartphone or from a conventional landline phone that is connected to a VoIP adapter. [Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) ### Internet telephony **What is Internet Telephony?** Internet Telephony refers to all types of telephony services (including phone calls, fax, voicemail, video calls and other forms of communication) where calls and data are sent digitally over the Internet using the [Internet Protocol (IP)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/ip-address), rather than being transmitted over traditional analogue landlines. 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