Incoming calls:

Calls to 508-548-1400 and 508-457-2000 are answered by an auto-attendant with a menu selection of choices to choose from.

Callers with touchtone phones will be asked to key in the extension desired or enter "0" for the WHOI attendant.  The desired extensions can be entered as soon as the announcement starts.

Calls to any WHOI extension using the 289 exchange do not go through an auto-attendant but are routed directly to the recipient's telephone.

Outside calls:

Local calls:  9 - more dial tone - area code (508 or 774) - xxx-xxxx includes the local dialing exchanges for Falmouth, Cataumet, and Osterville (289, 296, 299, 356, 388, 392, 403, 419, 420, 428, 444, 445, 457, 477, 495, 506, 539, 540, 548, 563, 564, 731, 968).

Toll-free calls:  9 - 1-800-xxx-xxxx

900 calls:  Must be placed by Switchboard Attendant, there is a charge for these calls.

USGS calls:

To USGS:   81+4 digit extension for inward dialing from WHOI.

Direct dialing from outside USGS, 508-457+4 digit extension.

You can also reach USGS by dialing the main number 508-548-8700.

MIT calls:

To MIT:  

1. Dial 88 followed by an MIT five-digit extension, or dial 88, wait for the voice prompt "MIT," then dial an MIT five-digit extension.


2. You can still place calls to MIT conventionally by dialing the full 10-digit phone number: 9-1-617-253-1000.

From MIT:  1-88+4 digit extension

Long distance calls:

Within area code 508 and other area codes in United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and Atlantic and Caribbean Islands):

9 - more dial tone - 1- area code – xxx - xxxx - broken dial tone - billing code.*  

*Personal long distance calls are the responsibility of the employees.

Long distance credit card calls:

            To use calling cards for calls within the U.S. dial the appropriate access number below and follow the verbal instructions.  International credit card calls must go through the WHOI switchboard attendant.

            AT&T ----------------------------------- 1-800-225-5288

            MCI ------------------------------------- 1-800-888-8000

            SPRINT --------------------------------- 1-800-877-8000

            *BELL ATLANTIC ---------------------- 1-800-546-9639

*Callers using a BELL ATLANTIC calling card can also place calls within the USA by dialing     9-0-area code plus number;  after the beep put in the calling card number -- Note that this will be automatically routed to AT&T (WHOI's long-distance carrier).

International long distance direct dialing (including INMARSAT to ships):

9 - more dial tone - 011 one to three digit country code - city code (if any) - number - 6 second pause - broken dial tone - four digit billing code

            The number of digits for overseas calls varies from 16 to 22.  The switch uses a six-second pause after your last digit as the cue that your dialing sequence is complete and then prompts you for our billing code.  After entering the billing code, it takes five to fifteen seconds before ringing is heard.  Do no confuse the overseas "double ring" with the fast busy tone.

Directory Assistance: (95¢ to $2.50) (for area 508 and 617 information OR for information for other area codes)

 9 - more dial tone - 1 - area code - 555 - 1212 - broken dial tone - four digit billing code

Note:  There is a $6.95 or $7.95 charge for overseas directory assistance.  This call must be placed by the WHOI switchboard attendant.