Q.2   How do I get a line used for commercial purposes transferred to a private one and vice
          versa?

Ans. As far as phone lines are concerned, as of  today the Department of Telecom Services does not make any distinction between a commercial house and private customer - except the PCO. Third party transfer of a phone line is permissible on payment of a transfer fee of Rs. 500 . For name transfer specific form is available with the concerned Commercial Officer. However, necessary proofs have to be enclosed along with the application regarding authenticity of the signatories and the proof of residence of the transferee.

In case of PCO it is an agreement between the DTS and the PCO franchisee. So such lines cannot be transferred.

Q.3   Is shifting of a phone from one city to another permitted ?
  
Ans.  Shifting of a phone from one City to another is permitted. Shifting form is available at the office of the concerned Commercial Officer. However, for administrative reasons there may be delay in execution of such shifts. In case anyone is thinking of shifting of a phone from any other place to Calcutta, it  would be advisable to surrender the phone in the other place and apply for a fresh new phone in Calcutta Telephones.

Q.4   I want to transfer my phone in my son’s name. What is the procedure ?

Ans. Transfer of phone to blood relations / legal heirs are permitted on payment of a fee of Rs. 100 . Necessary name transfer form is available with the concerned Commercial Officer. In case of name transfer after death of the phone subscriber to his / her legal heir, proof in support of legal heir would normally be necessary. Otherwise affidavit has to be submitted on a Rs. 10 non-judicial stamp paper. In case there are more than one legal heirs, affidavits from other legal heirs would be necessary consenting to transfer the phone of the deceased subscriber to the applicant legal heir.

Q.5   I need an extension in my phone. How do I do this and from where do I buy the
instrument ?  

Ans.  Connection of one phone instrument (of any type) in parallel is permissible  without any extra charge. For other kind of extensions (e.g. plug & socket, one  main + one or two extensions) the subscriber may buy the necessary attachment  /equipment from the market ( there are many Tele-shops available selling such  gadgets in a city like Calcutta ). Afterwards, the subscriber should intimate the  concerned Commercial Officer so that bill for extension facility can be raised subsequently. In case of external extension outside the premises of the  subscriber he has to apply to Commercial Officer ( L/D-I ) in the relevant form.

Q.6   How can I get CLI (Calling Line Identification) facility ?

Ans.  CLI facility can be obtained from all exchanges in Calcutta Telephones. Now it is free of charge. Apply on plain paper to your DE (Internal).

Q.7   How do I attach a Calling Line Identification (CLI) display device to my phone ?

Ans. The facility of CLI display is available on all phone lines of Calcutta Telephones. So, write to the DE/Internal of your exchange asking for the CLI facility on your phone number. The CLI gadget is available for purchase in numerous Teleshops in Calcutta. Connecting the gadget is very simple. First connect the cord from the rosette or LJU of DTS to the CLI gadget and connect your phone instrument to the phone socket of the CLI gadget, Connect battery and power to the CLI gadget and you are ON. Please note that the CLI is diplayed just prior to the ringing of your phone. So, you may choose not to answer a phone call seeing the CLI displayed. To be on the safe side, buy a TEC approved CLI display   gadget.

Q.8   Does Calcutta Telephones supply Cordless phone if any phone subscriber wants?

Ans.  No. Cordless phones are to be purchased and fitted by the subscriber himself. While purchasing any cordless phone it is advisable to check for TEC approval stamp. There are certain cordless phones available having long range and operating at 800 kHz. Use of such phones is illegal in India. While purchasing cordless phone set this may be kept in mind.

Q.9   What is a Video phone ? How  can I use such a phone and  how much does it cost ?

Ans. There are two types of videophones – one is very cheap (around Rs.10,000 or  so) but poor quality which can be connected to the PC of the users at both ends and video communication can be achieved either through LAN or by means of a dial-up link or using the Internet.

 The other type of videophone which is of better quality, requires use of ISDN line. A videophone on an ISDN line normally requires simultaneous use of two B  channels. For even better quality, you may use 3 ISDN lines at either end of the  communication with appropriate Video-conferencing kit designed to operate at 384 Kb/s bandwidth. ISDN lines are available on-demand anywhere within the jurisdiction of Calcutta Telephones, as well as many other places / Cities of India.

Q.10  My phone is without STD facility. How do I get STD facility ?

Ans. For having STD facility please visit the Customer Service Centre of your exchange area and obtain the relevant form. Fill up the form, attach your photograph duly attested as directed in the form. Your signature also need attestation. Submit the filled in form at the Customer Service Centre. There is no charge involved for obtaining or withdrawing STD facility of a phone line. However, normally STD is not provided unless the first phone bill is paid. If you need ISD facility, please
specifically mention so in the STD application form.

Q.11   My phone bills have been erratic for last several months even though I have STD locked .
            How do I get my problems redressed ?

Ans.   In Calcutta Telephones we now also provide Dynamic Locking facility to STD barred
            phone lines.

In case you are a NET surfer, please check your Internet usage. Make it a habit  that after you close your Browser, check to disconnect the Internet dial-up connection.

Having provided Dynamic Locking facility, it is the responsibility of the subscriber to apply dynamic locking vigorously and guard properly the secrecy of his dynamic locking password. For this purpose certain safeguards are suggested.

   (a)  avoid sharing of dynamic locking password with anyone even near and dear  ones in the
          family.

   (b)  avoid unlocking / locking of dynamic locking password in presence of any other onlooker.

   (c)  Change the password at fairly regular intervals.

   (d)  If the subscriber is using a feature phone with LCD display, after each locking/ unlocking
          operation he / she should lift the receiver again and dial some other casual digit say the
          digit “1”, and replace the handset. This  would  prevent display of the locking / unlocking
          password by pressing the last number re-dial key  available on such phone instruments.

   (e)  Do not select a  very easy to re-number password ( e.g. 1234, or your birth date, marriage
          date etc.) which can be rather easily guessed by your near and dear ones.

A good approach is to select two numbers that are easy to remember for you. Add them or subtract them and use the resulting 4-digit number as the password.

   (f)  Do not keep your password unlocked for long periods of time and be very careful if you are
         using a cordless phone. While locking lock either by dialing the last digit as “2” ( Trunk call
         & Internet access barred ) or the last digit as “4” ( all o/g calls barred ).

   (g)  If the line goes faulty with the dynamic locking password in unlocked condition, immediately
          get in touch with DE/Internal of your exchange.

   (h)  A very good alternative to be saved from hassles of probable STD misuse is to have the line
          STD barred and use ITC for making STD calls.

Q.12  Calcutta Telephones has fixed rates for STD PCO Booths, yet PCO Booth  operators
           invariably over charge for calls made from PCO booth. What is the remedy ?

Ans.  If there is any case of over charging by any private STD Booth Franchisee, the case is to be
          settled by lodging specific complaint either in the District Consumer  Forum or in the Court of
          Law, supported by proper evidence. Also, please inform the matter to the Director (Vigilance),
          Calcutta Telephones, Telephone Bhavan, 34 BBD Bag (South), Kolkata – 700001. The
          vigilance wing of Calcutta Telephones has a system of surprise vigilance checks of PCO
          booths and has a system of vigilance clearance at the time of renewal of  STD PCO booth
          franchise.

Instead of going to any PCO booth, you may buy a VCC or open an ACC account  with Calcutta Telephones and make all kinds of phone calls (local or  STD/ISD) from your phone or your
friend’s phone. The call charges for calls made using VCC or ACC are debited to the credit balance of your VCC or ACC – not the phone line  used to make the phone call. This way you can avoid any scope of being cheated at any PCO booth. As you consume one     VCC, buy another one, or as your ACC a/c balance goes down, you may  renew it by making fresh deposits.

Q.13 Is it possible to get local call details ?

Ans. No. Due to technical reasons it is not possible to store all local call details although it is done
         so for STD / ISD calls.