FAQ
Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding Orbitel Communications Digital Phone Services. Scroll down and see if we can answer your question as well. If you don’t see your question, then contact an Orbitel Customer Service Representative by phone or at our local office. We want to answer any question you have.
Q. Why is Orbitel offering telephone service?
A. To save you money. Conversations with our customers have indicated that they would like a choice in local telephone providers. Providing telephone service is one more item in our long-term strategy to offer our customers a full-service package of communications services at the best price. Our customers can rely on Orbitel to meet all of their communications needs with reliable, top-quality products and services, including cable television, high speed internet and digital telephone Services. Orbitel has invested millions of dollars to build a state-of-the-art communications network with the ability to deliver video, voice and data services through a single cable to your home or business.
Q. How will customers benefit from Orbitel’s local phone service?
A. To save you money. Orbitel customers will be able to enjoy the convenience and security of having all of their communications’ needs met by one company with a track record of providing a reliable, high-quality products and superior customer service at the best prices. We offer the best value to our customers by combining their video, high speed internet and digital phone services for one low monthly price.
Q. Will voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding and other telephone features be available on my Orbitel Digital Telephone?
A. Yes. You will be able enjoy the same services from Orbitel that you can get from your existing provider. In addition, Orbitel will offer you services that you haven’t been able to get today from the phone company. Ask us about the differences, we’re excited to tell you about them!
Q. Will I be able to call people who use other telephone companies?
A. Yes. The Orbitel network will be connected to all other telephone companies, so you will be able to call anyone, anywhere, regardless of what phone company they use. In addition, they will be able to reach you just as easily. In fact, while you will have no local or long distance charges for each call made in the 50 United States and Canada, our service also offers virtual telephone numbers from every major calling center across the country and personal 800 service. With these services, friends and family can call you for free as well. Call us and we’ll tell you all about these exciting services.
Q. Why would I switch?
A. To Save Money. We offer better technology, better customer service for less money. Orbitel has built a state of the art network that provides Digital Telephone Service that is monitored 24/7 from your home to its destination and back. Orbitel is a local company with people you know who live and work in your community. The flat rate pricing for unlimited local and unlimited long distance to the 50 United States and Canada makes Orbitel the best value for Digital Phone Service in Maricopa.
Q. Will I need a converter box or some other device in my house?
A. Orbitel will install a Multimedia Terminal Adaptor (MTA) inside your house. The MTA is a small, approximately 6 inches by 6 inches, digital communications device that connects your home telephone to our digital network. All of your existing phones and home wiring will continue to work with our system. Click here to learn more about equipment.
Q.Will my house need to be rewired?
A. No. The existing wiring inside your home will operate just as it always has.
Q. Will my current telephones work?
A. Yes. All of your existing equipment and features on that equipment will continue to work as they have in the past.
Q. Can I make a phone call and be on the internet at the same time?
A. Yes. The Orbitel Digital Network is designed to offer you simultaneous high speed access to the internet while using your phone and enjoying the latest cable TV programming. We want to be your complete communications provider.
Q. If my cable goes out, will my phone go out too?
A. Perhaps but not necessarily. Cable TV outages or power outages in one area may not effect your cable TV, internet or telephone services from Orbitel. The Orbitel Network Operations Center constantly monitors the network for potential problems, quickly identifies interruptions in service, and remedies the problem. It is possible in the case of a wide spread power outages or an isolated power or cable interruption in your area that your phone service could be interrupted. To learn more about this visit our 911 section of this website.
Q. Will my phone and cable service be on one bill?
A. Yes. Orbitel will provide a single monthly statement to you combining your charges for Cable TV, High Speed Data and Digital Phone Services. You will be able to make one payment to take care of all of these services. By combining these services through Orbitel we offer even more savings. Click here and see how we can save your money by combining your communications services together from Orbitel.
Q. Can I choose any long distance company?
A. There is no need. Your Orbitel Digital Phone Service includes both local and long distance calling all day, every day throughout the 50 United States and Canada for one low flat rate! If you make any international calls you will be billed by Orbitel on a per call basis for those services.
Q. Can I keep my current phone number?
A. Yes. This is referred to as Local Number Portability (LNP). Your local telephone company is required under law to allow you to move your telephone number to Orbitel. That change cannot occur without your permission. Orbitel will help you to make that request and then schedule your installation of Orbitel Digital Phone Service when your number is available. There will not be any interruption in your phone service. Your number will continue working from your current telephone provider until it becomes active through the Orbitel Digital Phone Service.
Q. With Orbitel Digital Telephone, will directory assistance be available?
A. Yes. You will still be able to dial 411 to reach Directory Assistance. Each call to directory assistance will be billed to your account at a rate of $.99, including the call to directory assistance, the call connection, and 3 minutes of talk time on the outbound call. All additional minutes are $.10 per minute.
Q. Can you assist me with my Voice Mail?
A. At the time of installation all Orbitel Digital Phone users receive two helpful user manuals.
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Orbitel Digital Phone Getting Started Guide
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Orbitel Digital Phone User’s Guide
These guides provide complete directions for using your voicemail services as well as all of the great features that are available from the Orbitel Digital phone service. Click here to view our on-line directions for our voicemail. You can also download on-line versions of the guides from this location as well. If you are still experiencing difficulties or would like to talk with someone, you may contact a customer service representative during normal business hours or call our telephone and internet technical support team 24/7. Click here for our hours of operation and contact information.
Q. What makes Orbitel Digital Telephone better than its competitors?
A. Orbitel Digital Telephone is provided over an upgraded digital fiber-optic/coaxial network. Our state-of-the art technology assures you of crystal-clear connections and, to keep your phone service trouble-free, we monitor the network 24 hours a day year round. We also offer services that your phone company doesn’t provide to you. We also save you money by offering local and unlimited long distance calling throughout the 50 United States and Canada.
Q. Does someone have to be home at the time of install?
A. Yes. It is important that we make sure that the phone jacks in your home have dial tone and that all of the services that you requested are in working order before we leave. As with all of our installation and service visits we require someone over the age of 18 present when work is performed inside your home.
Q. What exactly do you do during the time of install?
A. We install a Multimedia Terminal Adaptor (MTA) inside your home, test phone lines and jacks, verify services and test outgoing and incoming call ability.
Q. What is an Multimedia Terminal Adaptor (MTA)?
A. A Multimedia Terminal Adaptor (MTA) is the equipment utilized to convert voice signals into data packets and from data packets to voice signals. This device allows our customers to utilize traditional telephones to make and receive calls using a state of the art Digital Communications Network.
Q. Will the house have to be re-wired?
A. No. We will locate our equipment and provide the necessary connection from that equipment to your telephone wiring so that you can use all of your phones in your house.
Q. With power outages, if one service goes down, will the other Orbitel services go down also?
A. Cable TV outages can occur for a variety of reasons that may or may not affect the telephone services. Orbitel’s Network Operations Center constantly monitors the network for potential problems. We quickly identify interruptions in service, and remedy the problem. Our Service Technicians are on call 24/7 to resolve any outages as quickly as possible. It is possible for your services to be interrupted in extreme circumstances, we work to minimize that possibility from occurring.
Q. Will I have to buy a special telephone for the new service?
A. No, the telephone devices working with your current service will work on the Orbitel Digital Phone Service.
