Service is provided via our Nortel DMS-10 switch, seen above. Digital switching takes your voice and converts it to a stream of computer bits and connects you to your neighbor or sends them to another office where they are converted back to your voice. It involves no moving parts, so the wear and tear of earlier mechanical systems is a thing of the past. Batteries and a back-up generator keep things going in the event of a power outage. All lines are underground and provide the best protection from mother nature.
Some companies block the info.
Remember that the data is sent between the first and second rings. In the case of call waiting caller ID, the box must be connected properly between the phone and the jack. They use predictive dialers that place several calls at once, then drop the others after one of them answers. This continues until they actually reach you, unfortunately. Don't forget that basement or garage phone, answering machine, computer, dish, etc.