Traditional Landlines (AT&T, Spectrum, etc.) — Day Agent Setup
How to set up PupPilot as your full-time AI receptionist on Traditional Landlines (AT&T, Spectrum, etc.) with live transfer.
Setup Note
How Traditional Landlines (AT&T, Spectrum, etc.) Works
Traditional landlines (POTS — Plain Old Telephone Service) and cable-bundled phone lines from carriers like AT&T, Spectrum, Comcast/Xfinity, Verizon, and CenturyLink use star codes dialed from your handset to enable/disable call forwarding. Most carriers rely on star codes dialed from the handset, though some services (e.g., AT&T digital home phone) also support online management via myAT&T. Key limitation: no automatic time-based routing — forwarding must be toggled manually each day.
Call Flow
Two numbers: the public number (forwards to PupPilot via *72) and a separate line for staff transfers. Basic landline service typically provides one number per line, so a second line is usually needed.
Part A — Forward Your Public Number to PupPilot
Enable Call Forwarding
Leave Forwarding Enabled
Test
Part B — Set Up Your Internal Number
Most basic traditional landline services provide a single number per line, so you'll typically need a separate phone line for PupPilot to transfer calls back to your staff. Options: a second landline, a cell phone, or a VoIP line (e.g., Google Voice).
Prevent Call Loops
Choose Your Internal Number
Ensure Voicemail Fallback
Share the Number with PupPilot
Test Transfer-Back Calls
Test the Full Flow
Call your public number
Call your internal number
Call your internal number and don't answer
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Calls don't reach PupPilot | Make sure you completed the *72 activation correctly. Pick up the phone, dial *72, then dial the full PupPilot number including area code. Wait for a confirmation tone before hanging up. |
| *72 not working | Some carriers use different star codes. Contact your carrier (AT&T, Spectrum, Comcast, Verizon, CenturyLink) for the correct call forwarding activation code. |
| Forgot to disable forwarding in the morning | Dial *73 immediately to disable. All calls are currently going to PupPilot. Consider posting a checklist at the front desk. |
| No second line available for transfers | Order a second line from your carrier, use a cell phone number, or set up a VoIP line (Google Voice, etc.) as the transfer-back number. |
| Calls loop between PupPilot and your system | Your internal number is forwarding to PupPilot on no-answer. Ensure the second line's fallback is voicemail only. |