FaxAbility mode ensures that the machine will answer calls to the FaxAbility (secondary) number. When a call comes in to your main number, all the telephones will ring. You can set an external answering device (TAD) to answer calls on the other number(s). (See the chart in the following page.)

Using FaxAbility is the most efficient way to receive both fax and telephone calls on the same line. It is much easier for your callers who dial manually. The fax machine will answer with receiving tones so they will not have to press an activation code. And the people who call to talk on your main number will not have to talk to your fax machine. Basically, it gives you two independent numbers without the higher cost of a second line.

Your telephone number will have the standard ring pattern of long, long tone, while the new number will have a ring pattern of long, silence, long, etc. When FaxAbility is On, you will not hear the first ring of all incoming calls on the fax machine. Extension telephones will ring as usual. If the fax machine recognizes the ring pattern, all ringing will stop and the fax machine will answer and automatically receive the fax message. Otherwise, you will hear the extension telephones and the fax machine continue to ring. The fax machine always listens to the ring pattern before it answers, so do not pick up the telephone during that time. You will quickly learn to recognize the ring pattern for faxes, so you will not be tempted to answer that number. Either you or a telephone answering device can answer the main number(s).

The FaxAbility function is designed to accommodate the FaxAbility service provided by Telecom. To change the setting, repeat Steps 1-3; Step 2 is where you can select either On or Off.

Call Waiting beeps caused by incoming calls on your main number can affect fax transmissions. If you have FaxAbility Service but don’t have Call Waiting, you need do nothing at this stage. If you do have Call Waiting as well as FaxAbility, set the Call Waiting menu option to On. See below.