Conference Calling (aka 3-way Calling)

[CBinParadise]

There is a service available in many countries which is tremendously useful, especially for business calls.

It is called 3-way calling, and/or conference calling.

3-way calling is typically a subscriber service: the way it works is:

a. I (person 1) call person 2 and chat. So far this is just a normal phone call.

b. We decide that we need to speak to person 3.

c. I momentarily press the hang-up switch on my phone.

d. Person 2 hears nothing. I hear a dial tone.

e. I dial person 3, greet him, and tell him I want to "conference in" person 1. Person 3 agrees.

f. I press the hangup switch momentarily again.

g. Now all 3 parties can hear anything that any of the three of us say.

A separate service is conference calling. That way THAT works is:

a. I call a particular phone number answered by an operator at a phone company.

b. She calls me back, puts me on hold temporarily, then calls persons 2 and 3, and gets us all speaking

c. The operator then drops off the call, leaving the 3 participants to talk.

d. The conference call can be set up immediately, or it can be scheduled for some specific future date/time.

I called True customer service at 02-900-9000 --- they CAN provide 3-way calling -- there is an application process., that requires your passport number. The service costs 30 Baht per month. It works on ordinary direct dial hone lines AND adsl lines (provided that you have a splitter). I have not actually tested it but I certainly plan to.

ToT does not offer this service.

I haven't found anyone at CAT to ask.