Glossary
What is conditional call forwarding?
Forward only the calls you can't take, and keep answering the rest yourself.
The short answer
What is conditional call forwarding?
Conditional call forwarding sends a call to another number only in certain situations, instead of every time. The usual conditions are busy (you're already on a call), no answer (the phone rang for a set time) and unreachable (the phone is off or has no signal). Your phone still rings first, and only the calls you can't take move on, for example to a colleague, an answering service or an AI receptionist.
The three conditions
| Condition | When the call forwards | Typical reason |
|---|---|---|
| Busy | You're already on a call | A second caller isn't sent to voicemail |
| No answer | The phone rang for the set time and nobody picked up | You're with a customer, driving or on a job |
| Unreachable | The phone is off or has no signal | A flight, a dead battery, a basement with no reception |
Example
An electrician who works alone sets no-answer forwarding to his AI receptionist. While he's up a ladder, his mobile rings; after a few rings the call moves to the agent, which takes the address and the problem and books a visit in his calendar. When he's free, he answers his own calls as usual.
What it means for a small business
Conditional forwarding is the simplest way to add help without giving up your own phone. With Daber AI you keep your existing number and forward only the calls you don't answer to the agent's number, so your phone rings first and the agent picks up the rest. The codes, and how many rings you can set, depend on your carrier; the call forwarding guides list them carrier by carrier.
Questions
What is the difference between conditional and unconditional call forwarding?
Unconditional forwarding sends every call to the other number, and your phone doesn't ring at all. Conditional forwarding lets your phone ring first and forwards only when you're busy, don't answer or can't be reached.
Does conditional call forwarding cost extra?
It varies by carrier and plan, both for turning the feature on and for the forwarded part of the call. Check with your carrier before you rely on it.
Can I choose how long my phone rings before the call forwards?
Often, yes. Many carriers let you set the no-answer delay, usually in seconds, but how you set it and the range allowed differ from carrier to carrier, so follow your carrier's instructions.
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