Trouble Shooting Telephone Issues

Q: I have no dial tone and sometimes I hear static. What do I do? A:

Check all telephone cords - from jack to telephone base and from telephone base to the handset - make sure they are not loose or damaged.

• Hang up all telephones. Make sure all equipment is working ..(answering machines, fax machines, Caller ID boxes, computer modems, and telephone sets)
• To check, unplug each piece of equipment from the phone jack and the electrical outlet.
•  Leave everything unplugged for at least 5 minutes. Then try plugging in the equipment one item at a time to see if the trouble still exists.

If all equipment is working, test to determine if the problem is inside or outside the house:

• Take a working phone (single phone line only) to the network interface box, which is outside where the phone line enters the house.
• Remove the modular plug from the test jack and insert the modular plug from your phone.
• If the same problem occurs, the problem may be in your phone line. Call RC to report trouble with your line.
• If the same problem does not occur, the actual problem may be in your wiring. Call RC to report the trouble with your inside wiring.
• If the problem is in your telephone set, follow the instructions on your warranty or contact the store you purchased it from for repair or replacement.

• Try using a different phone.
• Call RC to determine the source of the problem.

Q: What is the Universal Service Fund? A: The USF is a funding program which allows schools & libraries discounts on
the purchase or lease of telecommunications service including local telephone,
long distance and Internet access.