Glossary / Call Forwarding
Call Forwarding
Call forwarding is a phone feature that automatically redirects an incoming call to a different number when the original number does not answer, is busy, or is unreachable.
Why it matters
It is the mechanism that lets an AI voice assistant answer missed calls: an unanswered call forwards to the assistant line, which picks up within seconds.
Conditional call forwarding (forward only if busy, unanswered, or unreachable) is what most missed-call automation relies on, as opposed to forwarding every call unconditionally.
Setup is usually done through the business’s phone carrier or VoIP provider, and the forwarding delay (how many rings before it triggers) should be tuned so it does not interrupt someone who was about to answer.
Example
A plumbing company sets conditional call forwarding so that any call unanswered after 4 rings forwards to an AI voice assistant that answers in the company’s name.
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