What does it mean when a call can not be completed as dialed?

You might be curious as to why a recorded error message appears when you attempt to make a call.

Below are three of the most common messages people receive: "All circuits are busy", "Cannot be completed as dialed", and "Dial a one". Read the explanations and try the recommendations to successfully place your call.

"We're sorry. All circuits are busy now. Please try your call again later."

• An all-circuits-busy message means that there aren't any free outgoing lines. Occasionally, there are more people trying to place calls than the number of available phone lines. Simply hang up and try again. A line should free up soon. 
  
  
• This message may occasionally be a sign of a service interruption due to a cut cable or weather-damaged equipment. To look for outages, utilize the Service Troubleshooter.
  
  
• If you continue to get this message, note when the problem began happening and/or what time of day it happens, and submit a repair ticket through the Service Troubleshooter.

"Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number and dial again."

• Phone numbers come in 7, 10 and 11-digit varieties. If you only use 7 digits and the phone equipment is expecting 11, you can get error message like this. The simplest solution is try one of the patterns you haven't dialed yet:
  • 7-digit (XXX-XXXX): phone number only
  • 10-digit (XXX-XXX-XXXX): area code + phone number
  • 11-digit (1-XXX-XXX-XXXX): 1 + area code + phone number
    
    
• If you only hear this message when you call a specific number, there might be a problem with the number you're calling. Try calling from a different phone and/or at a different time.
  
  
• If you are a Pure Broadband customer and only have our internet service, then you may have a dial tone, but you do not have true telephone service. Customers are not able to call out on Pure Broadband lines.
  
  
• It's possible that you have a block on your phone, which would prohibit you from making calls. To remove a block, you will need to contact us.
  
  
• This message can indicate a suspended account. If you haven't paid your bill, you may still have a dial tone, but that's about it. If your account continues to be past due, it will be permanently disconnected, and you won't have a dial tone. Learn how to set up a payment plan.

"You must dial a 1 when calling this number. Please hang up and try again."

• You're most likely contacting a far distance number if you see this warning. To place a successful call, you must follow the instructions and dial 1 before the remaining numbers.
  
  
• If you call the same number and only occasionally see this message, there may be an issue with the number you are contacting. Check the number to make sure it's accurate, and then try calling from a different phone or at a different time.