Initially, the caller was given the option to remain on the line for a live operator after the announcement was completed; this has since been removed.
Jane Barbe, Pat Fleet, and Joyce Gordon are well known for being the voices behind many intercept messages originating in the United States.
Bearing resemblance to a siren, it played continuously after an invalid digit was dialed, effectively stopping the call before it could be processed.
This tone was introduced by Bell Systems in 1941, and was intended to sound distinct from other telephone signalling used at the time.
If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please check the number and try your call again.The option also exists to replace the generic message with a customized message, as applicable, such as in cases where a subscriber's telephone number has changed, usually due to relocation.
A different intercept message is used when the caller has dialed a number the first three digits of which have not yet been assigned within that area code.
A message may also be played when 0 or 1 followed by an area code is prepended unnecessarily on landline phone calls to local destinations.
"[4]In Canada, this message is translated: "Le numéro que vous avez composé n'est pas disponible de votre région".
AT&T has an intercept message that is heard due to network congestion: "All circuits are busy now, please try your call again [TANDEM]".
The number and digits at the end identify the network edge or Tandem switch the caller's local exchange company routed the call to.
Optus has an intercept message which is heard by Optus customers when the network is congested or when a technical fault prevents customers from making phone calls: "Unfortunately due to temporary service difficulties, we are unable to connect your call at this time.
"The message may be repeated, then followed by a loud, rasping off-hook tone intended to remain audible even if the handset is on the desktop instead of at the subscriber's ear.
In almost any case, a telephone switch may be programmed to return a slow or fast busy signal instead of an intercept message.