Blog/How To Make A 3-Way Call On A Landline

How To Make A 3-Way Call On A Landline

Ellie Lasater-Guttmann
By Ellie Lasater-Guttmann
Edited by Mark Lindquist

Making a three-way call on a landline phone is simple and only takes a few steps. Whether you need to connect with two other friends or family members, or you're trying to conference with a business associate, 3-way calling on landline phones is a breeze.

While this may not be something that you need to do daily, it can be a lifesaver in certain situations. Below, we'll walk you through exactly how to do 3 way calling on landline phones, step-by-step. If your home phone does not have a call conferencing feature, you should consider getting a landline with Community Phone.

What is 3-Way Calling?

Before we get started, let's quickly review what three-way calling is. Three-way calling, also sometimes called conference call, is the process of connecting three different people on a single phone call.

Each person on the call can hear the other two conversations, and all three parties can talk to each other at the same time. No one is on "mute" or waiting to speak - everyone can jump into the conversation at any time.

This can be incredibly useful in several situations. For example, if you're trying to coordinate plans with two friends, you can all talk on the phone at the same time and hash out the details.

Or, let's say you're on a business call with a client or customer, but you need to consult with a colleague. On a conference call on landline phones, you can add in that third person and put everyone on the same page.

How to Make 3-Way Calls on Landline Phones

Now that we've reviewed what three-way calling is and when you might use it let's walk through the steps of how to set up a three-way call on landline phones.

The process will be slightly different depending on your phone service provider, but the basic steps are generally the same:

  1. Dial the first person you want to add to the call.
  2. Once that person answers, put them on hold by pressing the "flash" button on your phone.
  3. Dial *71. This will add a third line to your call.
  4. Dial the second person you want to add to the conference call.
  5. Once that person answers, press the "flash" button again to bring all three parties into the same call.

To end the call, simply hang up in the usual way.

This is a quick and easy way to make a three-way call on landline phones. In just a few steps, you can be connected with two other people and be able to chat away. This will help you in a variety of situations for your business, starting from pre-selling courses to finalizing registrations and confirmations.

Keep in mind that not all phone service providers support 3-way calling. If you're not sure if your provider offers this feature, you can contact them directly to find out. There may also be a fee associated with making a three-way call, so be sure to check with your provider about that as well.

How to Tell If You Are On a Three-Way Call

3-way call detection is a feature of some business telephone systems that can help you determine whether or not you are on a three-way call. This can be helpful if you want to avoid accidentally being charged for a three-way call or if you simply want to know how many people are on the line.

Here are a few ways to tell if you are on a three-way call:

1. Check the Caller ID

If you see more than one number on the caller ID, then you are most likely on a three-way call. Learn more about what is caller ID and its internal features here.

2. Listen for Background Noise

If you hear more than one person talking, or if there is a lot of background noise, then you are probably on a three-way call.

3. Ask the Other Person

The best way to know for sure is to simply ask the other person on the line if they are on a three-way call.

Now that you know how to tell if you are on a three-way call, you can be sure to avoid being charged for this type of call unless you intentionally want to be on one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my phone not let me merge calls?

If you're having trouble merging calls, it's likely because you're using an older phone that doesn't have this feature. To merge calls, you'll need to use a phone that supports 3-way calling on the landline.

Can you merge calls on iPhone with a landline?

Yes, you can merge calls on iPhone with a landline by using the 3-way calling feature. To do this, simply add the second call and then tap the "merge calls" button.

How to block the three-way calling function?

To block the three-way calling function, you need to check with your phone service provider. Each company has a different method for blocking this feature, so you'll need to contact them directly to find out how to do this.

The bottom line

Now that you know how to make a three-way call on a landline, you can take advantage of this handy feature whenever you need to. Whether you want to conference with a client or simply catch up with a friend, three-way calling is the perfect solution.

With Community Phone, you can enjoy all of the benefits of three-way calling on a landline without having to worry about complicated wiring or expensive monthly bills. Ready to make a switch to the friendliest phone company in America? Talk to one of our specialists today.

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