Voice Support

VoIP is an acronym for “Voice Over Internet Protocol”, a technology for communicating using “internet protocol” instead of traditional analog systems. VoIP converts analog signals into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet.

Advantages

• VoIP can be cheaper to use than standard phone services, or even free! This results in an obvious cost-savings for long-distance calls especially.
• VoIP services can be taken with you as long as you have an internet connection, which is a great benefit for travelers.
• VoIP is robust with features including selective call forwarding, find me/follow me call routing, call screening, voicemail to email transcription, and more.

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Network Interface Device (NID) / Optical Network Terminal (ONT)

If your building is equipped with a Network Interface Device (often referred to as a “NID”) or Optical Network Terminal (often referred to as a “ONT”), you may be able to determine if your problem is inside wiring or the wiring outside your home or business. If you do not have a NID or ONT, please call VTel at 885-9000 to have a ONT installed. To test your line, simply open the outer cover of the NID or ONT. Inside you should find a standard RJ-11 telephone jack. Plug a corded phone into the telephone jack inside the NID or ONT. If you have service and are not experiencing any problems then most likely the issue is inside your home. (Important: The test port often has a plug attached. You may need to disconnect the plug by depressing the retainer clip and gently pulling forward on plug. Remember to reattach the plug once you are done testing).

Information on Battery Backup to Support the Fiber Optic Connection

Testing Customer Owned Equipment

If you own your telephone or other related equipment and experience trouble with your telephone service, follow the steps shown here to try to isolate the difficulty before you call us to report a trouble.

1. Check to make sure that all cords are firmly plugged in.
2. Verify that all handsets are in place.
3. If you cannot make outgoing calls, unplug all of your phones, answering machines, etc. At various jacks, test each phone individually by plugging it in and making a test call to a friend or neighbor. Continue until you find the phone that does not work. You may also try to use your phone(s) at a friend or neighbor’s house. If an individual phone does not work at any of your jacks or your neighbor’s jacks, the trouble is probably in that phone. If all phones work at your neighbor’s jack but not at your own, the trouble is probably in your inside wiring or outside cable.
4. If you have difficulty receiving calls, follow the steps above and have someone try to call your line. VTel is responsible for repairs to outside cable. To avoid unnecessary service charges, be sure to check your equipment first before reporting a service difficulty to us.
5. VTel will likely ask for you a call example, including date, time, number, dialed (exactly as dialed), and the result (ex. dead air, fast busy, can’t hear, etc.). 

To Connect or Disconnect Modular Phones

Desk Phones: To install your phone, match the plug at the end of the telephone cord with the receptacle and insert. To disconnect the phone, squeeze the clip on the plug and pull out of the receptacle.

Wall Phones: To connect your wall phone, match the hooks in the back of the telephone with the rivets on the wall mounting, push the telephone lightly against the mounting while sliding it down into place over the rivets. To disconnect, slide the telephone up to lift it off the rivets, then pull the phone away from the receptacle. Types of modular jacks other than those shown in the illustrations may be encountered.

Wire Care Plus

You can avoid costly wiring repair charges by subscribing to Wire Care Plus. This service is designed to take care of your inside wiring and is available to all residential customers for only $6.95 per month. Business line customers can subscribe to Wire Care Plus for $10.95 per month. Wire Care Plus service is not available to business key line or PBX customers.

Wiring Charges

If you prefer, you can pay as problems arise. There is a $35.00 trip charge to dispatch a technician to determine that the problem is with your inside wiring. Hourly rates to correct a problem with inside wiring are $75 for the first half hour (minimum charge) and $25 for each additional quarter hour. Please note that while most “inside wire” is inside your home, some of it is outside, between your NID (network interface device) and the inside of your home.

Customer-Owned Equipment

All equipment must be certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). VTel will provide reasonable notice of any network changes which may cause problems with customer owned equipment. You may contact the vendor of your choice for inside wire and equipment maintenance/repair, or you may perform the functions yourself. The charge for single-line business and residential customers when VTel service technicians perform maintenance/repair on inside wire or equipment is:

• $75.00 for the first hour (minimum charge)
• $25.00 for each additional quarter hour thereafter

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VTel offers the following guarantee, which is printed on every monthly customer bill:

“We guarantee our service 100%. If you are less than fully satisfied with VTel we will refund one full month’s basic telephone service, no questions asked.”

If you have a problem with service or billing, call an Account Specialist at our Business Office: 
(802) 885-9000.

If you are not satisfied with the resolution offered, ask to speak with one of our supervisors, or with our Vice President of Customer Care, Amber Wilson.  If you are still not satisfied, please write to:

VTel
354 River Street
Springfield, VT 05156

You may also contact the Vermont Department of Public Service at:

Consumer Affairs Division & Public Information
Department of Public Service (DPS)
112 State Street Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT. 05620-2601
Or Call (within Vermont): (800) 622-4496
Direct: (802) 828-2332
TTY: (800) 734-8390
Fax: (802) 828-2342
E-mail: vtdps@psd.state.vt.us

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