In this section, learn how:

• To set up your mailbox for the first time
• To set up your Message Centre mailbox
• To access your mailbox
• To listen to your messages
• To set up speed dial
• To set up call-back number options (available with a HSPA device only)
• To change your password
• To skip your password
• To change your personal greeting
• To set up Setting call-back number options
• To extend absence greeting
• To set up the number of rings before Message Centre picks up

Setting up your mailbox for the first time

The first time you you use Message Centre, you’ll be asked to set up your mailbox. You’ll need the temporary password we assigned to you when you purchased your phone or Message Centre service.

If you’ve misplaced your temporary password, give us a call at 1 888 835-3232 or *611 free from your mobile phone and we’ll give you a new one.

How to set up your Message Centre mailbox

You can set up your mailbox from any mobile or regular touchtone phone. If you use your mobile phone, the steps for accessing Message Centre are different depending on which NorthernTel mobility network your phone or smartphone uses.

Do you know which network your device uses?

• HSPA
• EVDO/1XRTT
• Don't know - If you don't know, please contact us at 1 888 835-3232 or dial *611 from your mobile phone.

 HSPA

1. Access your voice mailbox by pressing and holding the 1 key.
Follow steps 2 to 6 below to set up your mailbox.

EVDO/1XRTT

1. Access your voice mailbox by dialling your area code + mobile phone number, then pressing SEND.
Note: If you’re calling long distance, dial 11 digits (1 + area code + mobile phone number).
Follow steps 2 to 6 below to set up your mailbox.

Other phone

1. If you're calling from within Canada, access your voice mailbox by dialling your area code + mobile phone number. Outside of Canada, dial 1 647 383-2355. Long distance charges will apply.
Tip: On a touchtone phone you can press # to skip the voicemail greeting.
Follow steps 2 to 6 below to set up your mailbox.
2. When prompted, enter the 4-digit temporary password we assigned to you.
3. Follow the prompts to change the temporary password to a new one. It should be four to 10 digits long, and cannot begin with zero.
4. Follow the prompts to record your name.
5. Follow the prompts to record a personal greeting or to select the standard greeting.
6. Your Message Centre service is now activated.

Good to know
When you change your service to Message Centre, you need to reset your password and your personal greeting. Any unheard or saved messages will not be transferred to your new mailbox.

Accessing your mailbox

You can access your voice mailbox from any mobile or regular touchtone phone. If you use your mobile phone, the steps for accessing Message Centre are different depending on which NorthernTel network your phone or smartphone uses.

Do you know which network your device uses?

• HSPA
• EVDO/1XRTT
• Don't know - If you don't know, please contact us at 1 888 835-3232 or dial *611 from your mobile phone.

HSPA

Press and hold the 1 key.

• Enter your password if you’re prompted to do so.
• You’ll hear menu options and prompts to help you use Message Centre.

EVDO/1XRTT

1. Dial your area code + mobile phone number, then press SEND.
Note: If you’re calling long distance, dial 11 digits (1 + area code + mobile phone number).
2. Enter your password if you’re prompted to do so.
3. You’ll hear menu options and prompts to help you use Message Centre.

Other phone

If you're calling from within Canada, access your voice mailbox by dialling your area code + mobile phone number. Outside of Canada, dial 1 647 383-2355. Long distance charges will apply.                        
Tip: On a touchtone phone you can press # to skip the voicemail greeting.
Enter your password if you’re prompted to do so.
You’ll hear menu options and prompts to help you use Message Centre.

Listening to your messages

To retrieve your voicemail messages:
1. Access your voice mailbox
2. Press 1 to Listen to messages

Setting up speed dial

To save time, use speed dial to access your Message Centre. You'll need to refer to the user manual for your phone to find out how to insert either a "2-second pause" or "soft pause" into the speed dial number.

To save your Message Centre access information in your mobile phone speed dial:
1. Enter 1 + your area code + mobile phone number. Do not press SEND.
2. Press MENU and select the "soft" or 2-second pause. Repeat this step two more times to insert a total of 3 pauses.
Example: (1 + area code + mobile phone number) + Pause + Pause + Pause + # + Pause + Password
3. Press the # key.
4. Press MENU and select another pause.
5. Enter your Message Centre password. Select Save to store the number in your speed dial.

Setting up call-back number options (available with a HSPA device only)

The Message Centre allows callers to enter their phone number (call-back number) instead of leaving a voice message, if they choose.
If the customer wishes to disable the ability for callers to leave a call-back number, here’s how:

1. Access his voice mailbox
2. Press 4 for Personal Options
3. Press 2 for Administrative options
4. Press 7 to Change the cut-through-paging options
5. Press 2 to turn-off cut-through-paging

Changing your password

Access your voice mailbox

• Press 4 for Personal options
• Press 2 for Administrative options
• Press 1 to Establish or change your password
• Enter a new password. It should be four to 10 digits long, and cannot begin with zero.

Good to know

Avoid passwords that are too simple, such as 1234 or the last four digits of your mobile phone number.
Regularly change your password to prevent unauthorized access to your voicemail. Do not disclose your password to anyone.
If you lose or forget your password, you can contact us to reset it (charges apply).

Skipping your password

You now have the option of skipping your voicemail password entirely when calling from your mobile phone. Once you turn this feature on you’ll be able to go straight to your mailbox after dialling your phone number from your mobile phone. You’ll still need to enter your password if you access your voice mailbox from another phone.

Turning this feature on will give you the fastest access to your voice mailbox. Here's how:

1. Access your voice mailbox
2. Press 4 for Personal options
3. Press 2 for Administrative options
4. Press 1 to Establish or change general options
5. Press 1 for Password options
6. Press 1 to turn Skip password on
7. Press 2 to turn Skip password off

Changing your personal greeting

Step

1. Access your voice mailbox
2. Press 4 for Personal options
3. Press 3 for Personal greeting options
4. Press 1 and follow the instructions for changing your greeting.

Setting call-back number options
Message Centre allows callers to enter their phone number (call-back number) instead of leaving a voice message, if they choose. If you'd like to disable the ability for callers to leave a call-back number, here's how:
Access your voice mailbox

• Press 4 to for Personal options
• Press 2 for Administrative options
• Press 1 to Establish or change general options
• Press 7 to Change cut-through-paging options
• Press 2 to turn off cut-through-paging

If you have an EVDO/1XRTT device, you can disable the prompt for callers to leave a call-back number on your voicemail box without disabling the option for them to do so.

Do you know which network your device uses?

• HSPA
• EVDO/1XRTT
• Don't know - If you don't know, please contact us at 1 888 835-3232 or dial *611 from your mobile phone.

To disable the prompt for callers to leave a call-back number:

HSPA

Access your voice mailbox

• Press 4 for Personal options
• Press 2 for Administrative options
• Press 1 to Establish or change general options
• Press 7 to Change cut-through-paging options
• Press 1 to Change caller prompting for cut-through-paging
• Press 2 to turn off caller prompting for cut-through-paging

Extended absence greeting

If you’ll be away for a period of time, use this feature to record a new greeting without erasing your usual one. Callers will hear your absence greeting after the first ring and won’t be able to leave a message, so your mailbox won’t fill up. When you turn off the feature, your usual greeting will return.

Recording an extended absence greeting

Access your voice mailbox

• Press 4 for Personal options
• Press 3 for Personal greeting options
• Press 2 and follow the instructions for creating an extended absence greeting.

Turning off an extended absence greeting

1. Access your voice mailbox
2. Follow the instructions to turn off your extended absence greeting.

Setting the number of rings before Message Centre picks up

Note: This feature only works when the phone is ON and on the EVDO/1XRTT network.

Do you know which network your device uses?

• HSPA
• EVDO/1XRTT
• Don't know - If you don't know, please contact us at 1 888 835-3232 or dial *611 from your mobile phone.

To choose how long your phone rings before a caller will go to your voicemail:

EVDO/1XRTT
Dial *94 on your mobile phone – don’t press SEND yet.
Enter the number of standard rings (between two and nine) that you’d like your callers to hear before Message Centre picks up.
Press SEND
You will hear a tone to confirm that the feature was activated. If the change wasn’t successful, you’ll hear a fast busy signal; repeat steps 1 to 3.

Good to know
Different types of phones have different standard ring lengths and customizable settings. If you enter a number of rings less than two or more than nine, the system will automatically abort the change and default to the previous setting.