APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A CALL FORWARDED TO A NETWORK-BASED VOICE MAIL SYSTEM

摘要

An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS) (102). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning, and at an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice greeting to the Central Office (100) switch. The switch sends an active call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE) (103). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring.