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 Optimum Business: Use *72 when you want FrontDesk Talk to answer every call. Optimum Business Phone also offers forwarding on busy or no answer, but Optimum’s web help doesn’t give codes for those, so ask Optimum Business support to set them up.
The Optimum Business 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 your business phone
Use a phone on the Optimum line you want to forward.
Dial *72, then your number
Dial *72. Listen for a stutter tone, then dial your FrontDesk Talk number.
*72 then Talk numberHang up once it answers
When FrontDesk Talk answers, hang up. If the line is busy or doesn’t answer, try again.
Good to know
- Optimum’s step by step help for *72 and *73 is written for its home phone service. If the codes don’t work on your business line, call Optimum Business support.
- Optimum says call forwarding only works to numbers in the continental United States.
- Optimum Business Phone offers Business Continuity Forwarding, which sends calls to a set number during a power outage or when your modem loses its connection. Ask Optimum to point it at your FrontDesk Talk number.
- On Business Hosted Voice, Optimum offers remote access to call forwarding with a PIN.
- 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
Dial *73 from the business line. Optimum says three short tones and then a dial tone mean forwarding is off.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Does call forwarding cost extra?
Optimum’s terms list call forwarding among the features that come with Business Phone service.
Who do I call for help?
Optimum Business tech support is 1-888-276-5255 in NY, CT, NJ, PA, and Hendersonville and West Jefferson, NC, and 1-800-490-9604 everywhere else, daily 7 AM to 10 PM Eastern.
Will my callers know the call was forwarded?
No. They dial your usual number and hear your receptionist. Nothing sounds different on their end.
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: Optimum Business: Business phone service; Optimum Business: Business Hosted Voice; Optimum: Additional terms of service for Business Phone; Optimum: Home phone calling features; Optimum Business: Contact us.
Other phone companies
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes a few minutes. Cancel anytime.