Call-waiting allows you to receive an additional incoming call while you're already talking on the phone. Instead of giving the caller a busy signal, a beep tone--which is inaudible to the party to whom you are speaking--alerts you that another caller is trying to reach you; whether or not you choose to answer the call is up to you. To answer, you simply press the receiver button, or 'send' key, once and release it to place the first caller on hold and answer the second call. Depressing the receiver button again will return you to the first caller, allowing you to switch between calls as often as you like. One obvious benefit of call waiting is that you never have to worry about missing an important call while your phone is in use. Some service providers even offer distinctive ring tones to alert you to local, long-distance, and even international calls. Although most wireless phone providers generally don't charge for this feature, those that do will simply add the charge to your monthly bill. However, it's likely that you'll be charged in dollars or 'free' minutes for the duration with which you speak to and/or place on hold either caller. When you don't wish to be disturbed, this feature can be disabled on some phones either before making the call or during the call. Canceling the call-waiting feature during a call, however, requires that you also have three-way calling.
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