If you no longer have a telephone landline, you can set your CapTel phone to make telephone calls using your Internet connection instead of using traditional telephone service. This VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service means you do not need to plug a telephone line into your CapTel phone. You place and answer calls exactly the same way you always would, it’s just that the call is carried over your Internet connection rather than through telephone lines.
Available for CapTel models: 2400iSP/ 2400iBT / 2400iSP-NBT / 2400i-VOIP
CapTel service is only available to people with hearing loss.
NOTE: A new, unique phone number will be assigned to CapTel phones using Internet phone service. The phone number is different than any previous landline telephone number you may have used. See FAQs for details.
Removing the CapTel Screen Protector
Pull the tab in the lower right corner of the display screen to remove the screen protector.
Setup CapTel for Internet Phone Service (VoIP)
Please have your CapTel phone nearby, as you will need the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) and other information located on the bottom of your phone in order to proceed.
Internet Phone Service FAQs
- [+] What information is needed to activate my CapTel phone for Internet phone service?
- Your phone’s ESN (Electronic Serial Number), FCC Registration information (birthdate, last 4 of SSN), plus verified location address for 911 services.
- [+] If I’ve already registered with a previous CapTel phone, do I need to re-register when activating CapTel for Internet phone service?
- Customers who are already registered do not need to register again, but they will need to provide their address location for emergency services as part of the activation process. They will also need to accept the Terms & Conditions for using Internet phone service (VoIP).
- [+] What to consider before switching to Internet-only mode?
- There are some differences between traditional telephone service and Internet-only telephone service. Please be aware: A new (different) telephone number will be assigned to your CapTel phone. If your Internet service is unreliable, you may experience phone issues. If your Internet service goes down, you will not be able to make or receive calls. You will not be able to join a call in-progress on an extension telephone as you can with traditional phone service.
- [+] Can I pick out the telephone number I want?
- No. CapTel’s VOIP service provider, Elite, will try to select a phone number that is appropriate for the local region/area.
- [+] Can I get Internet phone service on all the phones in my house?
- At this time, Internet phone service applies to one CapTel phone at a time. If you have more than one CapTel phone in your home, each phone would need to be activated independently (they could not share a phone number).
- [+] Do I need to buy/get a new CapTel phone to have Internet phone service?
- No. The CapTel 2400i-VOIP is designed for Internet-only use, but customers may also activate their existing CapTel 2400iSP/ 2400i BT / 2400iSP-NBT model to use with Internet phone service.
- [+] Can I take my Internet-only CapTel phone with me when away from home?
- The Internet-only CapTel phone can be used in places other than the home address, as long as the customer updates the new location information for Emergency Services purposes. For example, if a customer spends part of the year in Wisconsin and part of the year in Florida, they can bring the CapTel phone with them back and forth. However, they need to update the location information anytime the phone is moved to a new location. You can update location information by contacting CapTel Customer Service.
- [+] What equipment do I need to use an Internet-only CapTel phone?
- Requires an Internet connection – it can be via Ethernet cable (recommended) or Wi-Fi. Also requires access to electrical power.
- [+] If my Internet service is down, can I still make calls with my Internet phone service?
- No. CapTel uses the Internet connection for both the telephone service and for providing captions. If the Internet connection is down, customers will not be able to make calls and will see an error message on the CapTel screen. The CapTel phone also requires electrical power; so customers cannot make or receive calls during a power outage.
- [+] Who is my telephone company when I switch to Internet phone service?
- CapTel works with a VoIP provider, Elite (aka NetworkIP), who provides the Internet phone service.
- [+] How do I change my Emergency/911 Address?
- When you use CapTel in Internet-only mode, it is important that your address information remains current so that Emergency/911 services can respond appropriately. If you move your CapTel phone to a new location, you must update your Emergency/911 address here: Update Emergency/911 Address
- [+] Why would my VOIP phone number and captioned telephone be deactivated?
- If the telephone number assigned to your Internet-only (VoIP) account goes 6 months or longer without being used, the phone number will be de-activated discontinuing VoIP service to your phone. You will not be able to make/receive phone calls, including 911 calls. To re-activate, contact Customer Service at 1-888-269-7477 or via email at service@captel.com