Which kind of forwarding to use
Always
Every call goes to FrontDesk Talk and your phone never rings. Use it when you want the AI to answer everything, or at night and on weekends.
No answer
Your phone rings first. If you don’t pick up, the call moves to FrontDesk Talk. This is the setup most owners start with.
Busy
If you’re already on a call or you decline one, the caller goes to FrontDesk Talk instead of voicemail.
Unreachable
If your phone is off, out of battery, or has no signal, calls still get answered.
Our advice for CenturyLink: Use *72 when you want FrontDesk Talk to answer every call, like after hours. CenturyLink’s landline help doesn’t list codes for no-answer or busy forwarding, so ask CenturyLink if you want your phone to ring first.
The CenturyLink codes
| Forwarding | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Always | *72Talk number | *73 |
Replace Talk number with your 10-digit FrontDesk Talk number, then press Call. Codes can vary by plan. If one doesn’t work, call your carrier.
Step by step
Find your FrontDesk Talk number
It’s the number we give you during setup. Use all 10 digits.
Pick up the business phone
Use a phone on the line you want to forward, and listen for the dial tone.
Dial *72, then your number
Press *72. After a stutter tone and then a regular dial tone, dial your FrontDesk Talk number.
*72 then Talk numberHang up once it answers
When FrontDesk Talk answers, hang up. That finishes the setup. If the line is busy or doesn’t answer, hang up and repeat within a couple of minutes.
Good to know
- To check that it’s on, press *72. CenturyLink says a rapid busy tone means forwarding is on, and a normal dial tone means it’s off.
- Your phone gives a short ring each time a call is forwarded. You can’t answer calls on that line while forwarding is on, but you can still make calls.
- In some areas, CenturyLink has you turn forwarding on from any phone by calling an access number that came with your service. If you don’t have it, chat with CenturyLink.
- If your FrontDesk Talk number is long distance from your line, CenturyLink says you need long distance service, and its usual rates apply to forwarded calls.
- On a CenturyLink Connected Voice or Brightspeed Digital Voice line, the user guides list *92 for no-answer forwarding and *90 for busy. They don’t list the codes to turn those off, so ask your provider before you rely on them.
- Codes and menus can change. If a step doesn’t match, contact the provider.
Test it
- Call your business number from a different phone, like your cell.
- You should hear your FrontDesk Talk greeting instead of a ring or voicemail.
- Hang up and watch for the Talk Note by text and email.
Turn it off
Pick up the business line and press *73. Two short tones and then a regular dial tone mean forwarding is off.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
My line is Brightspeed now. Do these steps work?
Yes. Brightspeed’s own help page lists the same *72 and *73 steps. For help, Brightspeed Small Business Care is 833-365-3181.
Is call forwarding included on my line?
CenturyLink says its Unlimited Home Phone plan includes call forwarding, and that not every feature is in every market. Brightspeed says to contact them to make sure it’s part of your bundle.
Who do I call at CenturyLink?
CenturyLink’s small business support page lists 800-603-6000 or 800-786-6272, depending on your area, weekdays 8 AM to 6 PM local time.
Will my callers know the call was forwarded?
No. They dial your usual number and hear your receptionist. Nothing sounds different on their end.
Does forwarding cost extra?
Most plans include forwarding. Some carriers count forwarded calls against your minutes if your plan isn’t unlimited. Check with your carrier if you’re not sure.
Can I still make calls from my phone?
Yes. Forwarding only changes where incoming calls go. Outgoing calls work the same as before.
Would porting my number be better?
Forwarding is quickest. Porting moves your number to us so you can drop the old line. Read the porting guide.
Sources, checked October 2026: CenturyLink: How to use call forwarding (small business); CenturyLink: Call forwarding feature; CenturyLink: Connected Voice user guide; CenturyLink: Small business support; Brightspeed: How to use call forwarding; Brightspeed: Digital Voice user guide; Brightspeed: Business support.
Other phone companies
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes a few minutes. Cancel anytime.