Voice/Telephone

Dialing instructions

To place a call within Centrex
Dial the last 5 digits of the number.

To dial 263-xxxx, dial 3-xxxx. There is no charge for calls within Centrex. (To call a Centrex number from a non-Centrex number, dial all 7 digits.)

To place a call to an outside number
For numbers within the Madison local calling area: Dial 9. Dial the full 7-digit number.

The cost of local calls is included in your monthly Centrex rates. There is no charge to place calls within the Madison local calling area. To find your local calling area, go to this website and type in your area code and prefix, e.g., 608-262.

Long distance (NOTE: See below for important change in international dialing)
To call long distance outside the Madison local calling area, you must use an unrestricted telephone.

Some university telephones are limited to Centrex or Centrex and Madison area numbers. Your department secretary may be able to tell you if your telephone is restricted. You can also call DoIT Voice Services, 262-5544 or email voice.services@doit.wisc.edu.

Using the STS
The State Telephone System (STS), a state-owned system for long distance dialing, may be used for all calls to the 50 states and to other foreign countries. (NOTE: STS to foreign countries is a recent change. By using STS, you will receive the lowest possible rates.) If you have trouble, dial 1-800-HELP-STS (1-800-435-7787) 24 hours a day.

How To access STS for domestic long distance
Dial 8 + 1 + area code + 7-digit number.

There is a charge for each call that exceeds 30 seconds even when there is no answer. A fast busy signal indicates that the STS circuits are busy and you should try again in a minute or two. There is no charge when this occurs. Since the STS system is at peak demand weekdays between 10 am and 2 pm, try to place calls before 10 or after 2.

The STS is for official calls. If in an emergency you must make a personal long distance call from an official telephone, call collect or charge the call to a credit card or home number.

How To access the STS for international calls
For more information, and selected country and city codes, see the Madison directory. Direct dialed calls (Dialing direct and using 8 will get you the lowest rates.) Dial 8 (outside line) + 011 (international access code) + country code + city code + local number. Pressing the "#" button on a touch tone phone after the local number will speed your call.

International Dialing Examples
To place a direct-dialed call to Paris, France, dial 8 + 011 + 33 + 1 + local number. To place a direct-dialed call to Zaire (no city codes), dial 8 + 011 + 243 + local number.

After dialing any international call, allow at least 45 seconds for the ringing to start.

Operator-assisted calls
Person-to-person, collect, calling card, or billed to a third number calls require operator assistance and are not carried over STS; therefore, you must dial 9. Use the international access code "01" instead of "011." For example, dial 9 (outside line) + 01 (international access code) + country code + city code + local number.

Toll-free (800, 866, 877, and 888) numbers
Dial 9 + 1 + 800 (or 866, 877, or 888) + 7-digit number.

There is no charge. Do not dial 8 (STS) for 800 numbers or you will be billed for the length of the call.

Calling card and Credit card calls
Telephone calling cards are obtained for people who place many long distance calls while traveling on University business. To make a calling card call from a Centrex phone, dial 9 and follow instructions on the back of the card. Call DoIT Voice Services at 262-5544  or e-mail voice.services@doit.wisc.edu for information.  Please be aware that international calls made using calling cards can be very expensive, especially if you're calling to a cell phone. If it is necessary to use a calling card for this purpose, please consider using a prepaid card or limiting the length of the call (and possibly asking the person you called to call you back).

Operator assistance or information (see below)
Dial "9-0-0" (AT&T operator) to:

• Call countries that cannot be dialed
• Get city codes not listed
• Get telephone numbers
• Assist in completing a call
• Get credit for wrong number

University of Wisconsin
2-1234 (262-1234)
(Non-Centrex: 262-1234)
Hearing impaired TTY, 2-6000

University Hospital Clinics
3-6400 (263-6400)
Hearing impaired TTY, 2-6000

Capitol and State Offices
6-2211 (266-2211)
Hearing impaired TTY, 2-2600

Madison local calling area or National Directory Assistance
Dial 9 + 411 or 9-555-1212

Residential search: $1.79
Business search: $1.99
Reverse directory search: $1.99

These charges apply for each call and include requests for non-published or non-listed numbers, new listings not in printed directories, or requests not found by the directory assistance operator.

Toll-free 800, 866, 877 or 888 Numbers
Dial 9 + 1 + 800 + 555+1212

There is no charge.

International numbers
Dial 9 + 00, then follow the prompts

There is a $1.25 charge per listing in Canada.  There is a $6.95 charge per listing in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Listings in Mexico and all other countries not stated above are $7.95. The operator will provide two listings per call; however, you will be charged for each listing.