Conference calls on the fly

Vodacom has announced Conference Call Advanced – a service which provides users with a tool to set up a multi-party conference call by dialling the dedicated conference calling number on 0862 800 800.

‚The service allows businesses of any size to set up conference calls either ‚on the fly’ or on a reserved basis,‚ says Chris Lazarus, Managing Executive at Vodacom Business Services. ‚This means that users can be mobile or on fixed lines and have all the benefits of a quality conference call service, previously only available to larger organisations due to costs. This service is free to use with the participants only paying for their own call: quick and easy to set up: and can include up to 25 participants. It is operational now and we expect business owners, non-profit organisations and even consumers to use the service.‚

The service offers ad hoc unreserved type conferences and reserved conferences.

What is the difference between unreserved and reserved?

An unreserved conference call is an ad hoc conference call that can take place at any time. A 6 digit conference ID of your choice will be selected and distributed to all participants to access the conference. The conference time will be pre-arranged by the participants among themselves. (note: since there is a chance that two groups will choose the same conference ID, exclusivity and privacy cannot be guaranteed.)

A reserved conference allows a user to reserve a conference by selecting a 6 digit conference ID and 4 digit PIN. No User account is required for creating or participating in a reserved conference. The Conference ID and PIN are then provided to the desired participants. Conferences IDs and PINs will be reserved for a limited period of 24 hours following the reservation. Multiple conferences can take place using the same conference ID and PIN until the 24 hours validity has elapsed. The reservation can be extended for up to 7 days from the time that the reservation is made.

A reserved conference call can be set up via IVR (voice) or via SMS.

How to use the service

When setting up an unreserved conference call, the user will do the following:

1. Dial 0862 800 800 from your desk phone or mobile handset

2. Select option 1 to join a conference

3. {Select a 6 digit number (non-repetitive and non-sequential) of your choice. Provide the 6 digit conference ID to the participants that you would like to join your conference call.} Key in the selected 6 digit conference ID when prompted to and then press the # key

4. Each participant will follow steps 1 ‚ 2 above and then enter the conference ID that you have provided them with to join your conference call.

To set up a reserved conference call, the user will do the following:

1. Dial 0862 800 800 from your desk phone or mobile handset Select option 2 to reserve a conference

2. Select a 6 digit number (non-repetitive and non-sequential) of your choice when prompted to enter your 6 digit conference ID and then press the # key

3. Then select a 4 digit PIN for your conference, followed by the # key

4. Your reservation will be confirmed ‚ a reserved conference call is valid for 24 hours following the reservation.

5. Provide your 6 digit conference ID and 4 digit PIN to the participants of your conference call.

To join a reserved conference call:

1. Dial 0862 800 800 from your desk phone or mobile handset

2. Select option 1 to join a conference

3. Participants will enter the 6 digit conference ID that you have provided them with ‚ the IVR will advise the participant that the ID is reserved and will then prompt the participant to enter the 4 digit pin you have provided them with.

4. Once the 4 digit PIN is entered the participant will then join the reserved conference call.

To set up a reserved conference call via SMS, simply do the following:

1. SMS the word ‚CONF‚ to 0862 800 800

2. You will receive an SMS which provides you with a conference ID and PIN, which will be reserved for 24 hours

3. You may forward the SMS with your conference ID and PIN to your desired participants

4. Follow the same procedure outlined above to join a reserved conference call

5. To extend a reservation, dial the conference call number and select option 3 to extend it

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