MOH (Modem on Hold) FAQ

V.92 modems provide improved call-waiting/caller-id support. When calling a V.92 ISP that supports modem-on-hold (MoH), the MoH software will pop-up with a box that lets you place your Internet connection on hold, and take the incoming call, ignore it, or disconnect. Caller id information is displayed (if you have call-waiting/caller-id from your phone company, and if your modem supports callwaiting id). If your connection isn't to a V.92 ISP, the MoH software will pop-up with caller-id information and option to disconnect or ignore. (Note: There may be differences in operation of the various MoH software applets, which may also include configuration options that change the MoH behavior. The V.92 call-waiting initialization command +PCW=# can be used to ignore or disconnect on call-waiting without loading MoH software. See V.92 Commands. PCTel V.92 driver includes MoH pop-up, but no other user interface.)

Using Modem-on-Hold:
When you place your Internet connection on hold to take an incoming or make an outgoing voice call, the modem flashes the line, and then remains off-hook and silent. You can then pick up a phone connected to a live jack. When you're done with the call, you hang-up the phone, and select the Resume Internet Connection option on your MoH window.

Important: Many modems are designed so that the "Phone" jack on the modem is disconnected from the line when the modem is off-hook. If this is the case with your modem, you need to use a phone connected to a live jack - the phone cannot be connected to the 'Phone' or 'Tel' jack of the modem, but you can use a splitter and connect both the phone and line cord to the modem's 'Line' jack.

You can test whether your modem's 'Phone' jack is live when the modem is off-hook by connecting a phone to the 'Phone' jack, and picking it up while you are connected to your ISP. If you hear any modem sounds, the jack is live and you can use a phone connected to the 'Phone' jack.

Avoid putting the modem into a 3-way call: Your MoH software may allow you to place your Internet connection on hold and place a voice call. (The 'call for Pizza function'.) When you activate this option, the modem flashes the line, and if you have 3-way calling, you'll have a dial-tone when you pick up a phone. When you're finished with the voice call, it's important that you and the other end hang up before resuming your Internet connection: otherwise, the flash produces a 3-way call with the distant end tied in to your modem->ISP connection.

MoH software: Doing MoH requires an extra program - applet - running on your system. In most cases, an icon will appear in the system tray when the applet is running. Exception: PCTel V.92 modems have MoH 'built-in' to the driver - a pop-up appears when a call comes in.

Not all V.92 modems are shipped with MoH software. Some modems may include buggy MoH software which needs to be updated, or may also require a modem driver upgrade. Check your modem manufacturers web site for updated software

Caller ID on call waiting: If you have call-waiting caller-id, the modem and MoH software should be able to show you, via a pop-up, the caller id info for calls you get while online. There are 2 types of caller id - type 1 comes when your line isn't in use between the first and second ring; and type 2 comes with call waiting.

Call Waiting and Hanshakes / Retrains: V.92 modems detect the call waiting tone that comes from your phone company; however, the modem may not detect call waiting tone during the initial handshake, or retraining.

The call waiting signal can vary from telco to telco. There are usually 2 beeps repeating every few seconds. If the modem is training or retraining when the beep occurs, the modem may not respond normally - the call may be ignored and training may complete; or, the training may fail and the modem may disconnect.

With most modems, you can examine the modem diagnostics to see if a particular connection had any retrains. If you experience retrains, limiting your connect speed to a lower rate may help.