Q. What is Caller ID?
A. Caller ID is a service provided by Mid-Rivers Communications which lets you see the number and name of the person who is calling while the telephone is ringing.

Q. Does Caller ID require any special equipment?
A. Yes. In order for Caller ID to work, it first needs to be activated in Mid-Rivers' telephone switch. Next, a Caller ID display device needs to be in place in your home or office. This device is either built into your telephone or supplied as a separate unit.

Q. Where can I get a Caller ID unit?
A. New Caller ID devices are available from Mid-Rivers.

Q. Is Caller ID available throughout Mid-Rivers' service area?
A. Yes.

Q. How much does Caller ID service cost?
A. Your monthly fee depends upon the type of Caller ID service you want. Caller ID service that only displays the number of the calling party costs $3.00 per month. Caller ID service that displays both the name and number of the calling party costs $4.00 per month.

Q. I have Call Waiting. Will Caller ID work with Call Waiting?
A. Yes, but you need to order a different type of Caller ID service. Caller ID with Call Waiting that displays just the number of the person who is calling costs $4.00 per month. Caller ID with Call Waiting that displays both the name and number of the person who is calling costs $5.00 per month. You will also need a Caller ID/Call Waiting unit or telephone to use this service.

Q. I have a Caller ID unit that I purchased elsewhere. Will it work?
A. Your Caller ID device must match the Caller ID service that you receive from Mid-Rivers Communications. If you have a Caller ID device that displays only the number and you get the Caller ID name and number service, the Call Waiting feature will not work, and you will only see the calling party's telephone number. The name will not be displayed because your Caller ID device does not provide that function. When you get a Caller ID device from Mid-Rivers, we will match the unit you need with the service you desire.

Q. I want additional calling features. Is that possible?
A. Yes. You can have Caller ID (number only) with Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, and Three-Way Calling for just $4.00 per month. If you want all of these features and if you want your Caller ID service to display both name and number, it costs $5.00 per month.

Q. Why don't I see anything on my Caller ID unit until the second ring?
A. The first ring establishes contact between Mid-Rivers' telephone switch and your telephone. During the silent time between the first and second ring, Caller ID information is sent from Mid-Rivers' switch to your telephone number. On the second ring, your Caller ID unit displays the information.

Q. I have Caller ID name and number service, but sometimes I don't see names. Why?
A. The calling party's name comes from a special database. If the telephone company who supplies service to the calling party has not supplied the calling party's name to the people who run that database, it will not be displayed on your Caller ID device.

Q. There are times when I know the person calling me has Caller ID service, and I still do not see the name. Why?
A. Some long distance carriers do not use technology that will hand off all of the Caller ID information. If the calling party uses one of these long distance carriers, you will not see the name on your Caller ID service.

Q. I see the name and number on my Caller ID device most of the time, but every so often the name does not appear. Why?
A. Sometimes even the large long distance carriers have so much traffic that their overflow calls are sent through older lines that cannot hand off all of the Caller ID information. When this happens, you will not see the name on your Caller ID unit.

Q. Why do I see "Out of Area" or "Not Available" on my Caller ID device?
A. When you see the words "Out of Area" or "Not Available" on your Caller ID unit, it means the originating call comes from a telephone exchange that is not capable of sending the calling party's telephone number.

Q. Why do I see "Private" or "Anonymous" on my Caller ID device?
A. When you see the words "Private" or "Anonymous" on your Caller ID device, it indicates that the calling party has blocked his or her number from being displayed by your Caller ID device.

Q. Can I block my number so other Caller ID devices cannot read it?
A. Yes. This is called Per Call Blocking. Before you dial the telephone number of the party you are calling, press *67 to activate Caller ID name and number blocking.

Q. Can I permanently block my number so other Caller ID devices cannot read it?
A. Yes, but Mid-Rivers must activate this feature in the telephone switch. There is no charge for this feature, which is known as Per Line Blocking. With Per Line Blocking activated on your telephone line, you can allow your name and number to be seen by the answering party's Caller ID device on a per call basis by pressing *82 before dialing the number.

Q. I'm tired of speaking to a telemarketing person after seeing "Private" or "Anonymous" on my Caller ID unit. What can I do?
A. Sign up for callGUARD from Mid-Rivers. This is a call filtering system designed to slow down telemarketing calls. Here is more information about callGUARD.

Still have questions? E-mail customer service at: customerservices@midrivers.coop

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