Fiber optic technology transmits information using laser-generated pulses of light that travel over hair-thin strands of glass fiber. Because light travels faster than anything else in the universe, fiber optics provide faster uploads and downloads while reducing network reaction times. Traditional communications companies use copper lines to transfer their signal to your home or business. EPB Fiber Optics is the area's only provider that uses 100% fiber optics.
Firmware upgrades are done for purposes of service improvements or end-user functionality improvements. All upgrades are done behind the scenes. The user will be contacted via the app store and/or email that an upgrade has been issued along with instructions.
If you are a resident of an Assisted Living facility, you need to contact your facility’s Hosted Phone for Seniors internal phone plan administrator with questions regarding your phone and it’s features. Your facility’s staff have been trained by EPB to handle any issues you may have. If you have trouble contacting your internal phone plan administrator, or need further assistance, you may call EPB at 423-648-1372 anytime day or night.
Yes. A letter of reference from your previous utility may serve in place of a security deposit. Letters must be printed on the utility’s letterhead, authorized by a company official, less than six months old and include a good record of payment for at least 12 months. Also, a co-signer (or guarantor) who is an existing EPB Electric Power customer with a good payment record for at least 12 months may serve in place of a security deposit. The guarantor will be asked to sign an agreement that will remain in effect for one year.
Since every EPB Electric Power customer account uses power before the first bill is received, we require an initial deposit of $200.00 to cover the cost of this power. However, all new applicants for service undergo a review of their credit history and those with a satisfactory credit rating may have the deposit waived or billed on the first month's bill. Customers with less than satisfactory credit will be required to pay a deposit in advance. Deposits may be paid using Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, debit card or cash in person at one of our three convenient locations and must be paid before electric service can be connected.
Yes. Please contact EPB at 423-648-1500 immediately if your device is stolen. We can disable the account to prevent access to your number. If your device was logged out of the account, the user must have the user name and password in order to authorize use. But our recommendation is to contact us, so we can disable the account and avoid any usage.
You will receive emails for when your bills are due. They include the billing amount, due date and a link to paying them online. You can also access previous bills electronically. Make a one-time payment using a credit or debit card or pay by phone or in person or set up autopay for automatic monthly payment.
Yes. EPB has a Quick Start Guide available for each Hosted Phone for Seniors handset. Each includes callouts of each button’s functionality. You can find PDFs of these guides below. Ask your sales representative for more details.
Calls between 423 numbers and 729 numbers are still local calls despite having different area codes.
By default, customers receive a simplified bill, showing the amount of electricity used and amount of payment they owe. However, we also offer a detailed bill with a breakdown of costs, including TVA’s current adjustment for the cost of fuel to generate energy.
To start receiving detailed bills, please call us at 423-648-1372.
Press the Envelope icon on the phone and enter the PIN number you setup. If you have not setup your mailbox yet, then the default PIN number is 4729#
You can submit a request to have your personal or business number reinstated as a legitimate phone number that is not being used for spam calls. Submit a request at https://freecallerregistry.com/fcr/ and it will automatically be forwarded to three different reporting agencies (TNS, Hiya, and First Orion) that will take care of this for you.
This allows you to instantly establish an audio conference to predetermined contact lists. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
Please, contact our network operations team 423-648-1500 option 6 and they will be happy to assist you. They are available 24/7/365.
Yes, local call recording is supported on the VVX 350, VVX 450, VVX 501 and VVX 601 Business Media Phones.
Provide a real, dial-able number with every call you make – ones that will prevent them from being flagged for robocalling. They include:
Don’t use one main calling number for multiple uses – use unique extensions for each type of call you make to customers
Provide a real, dialable number with every call you make – calling from a “party line” that is not valid or assigned to your business can result in being flagged as spam
Create a Caller ID profile – make sure your outbound calls show up as coming from the name of your business in the recipient’s caller ID.
Comply with “Do Not Call” lists – vet your call lists against national DNC and TCPA requirements to ensure you’re not making unwanted calls that will be flagged as spam.
Bring a third caller into an existing call by pressing “Flash/Talk” (placing the first caller on hold), wait for a dial tone and dial then third caller’s number, then press “Flash/Talk” again for all parties to join the conversation.
After you select a Hosted Phone for Seniors solution, an EPB Hosted Phone Coordinator will discuss the preferred training plan for your facility. This could simply include leave-behind support materials, or involve direct training at the individual level. Keep in mind that after training, EPB’s technical experts are available 24/7/365 to assist you via chat or by calling 423-648-1372.
Our Third-Party Notification program helps you avoid service disconnections by having another person, such as a friend or family member, receive copies of bills and other important notices such as disconnect notices.
To designate a person for this notification, please call us at 423-648-1372.
Log on to "phone.epbfi.com." Enter your desk phone's number and your voicemail PIN number for the Password.
Please call (423) 648-1372 and an EPB representative will be happy to help you.
If your power is disconnected for nonpayment, a fee of $35.00 is required to reconnect. Pre-Pay Power accounts may be reconnected by bringing your Pre-Pay Power balance up to at least $50. No reconnection fee is required and services can be reconnected in minutes.
Yes. Our SIP Trunks offer an affordable solution that lets you make phone calls over a dedicated fiber connection instead of a traditional phone line. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
Mail a check or money order to: EPB, P.O. Box 182255, Chattanooga, TN, 37422. Be sure to include your EPB or EPB Fiber Optics account number.
Residential electric rates are determined by many factors, including kilowatt hours used, total monthly fuel costs and operational costs. Click here to see our current residential energy rates, and visit Understanding Your Bill to learn more about how energy rates are determined.
The current Total Monthly Fuel Cost Adjustment used to help determine your energy bills this month can be found by clicking here.
Because of many factors, TVA’s power rates fluctuate. One factor is TVA’s total monthly fuel cost, which is a mechanism used to recover the cost of fuel (like coal and natural gas) needed to generate power. The total monthly fuel cost is also used to cover the cost of purchasing power outside the TVA service area.
Yes. EPB has intelligence built into our phone switch to mitigate illegal spam, at no additional charge to all our phone customers. The solution blocks incoming calls from known, repeat-offender spam numbers.
If a check or any other payment is returned by your financial institution, we will charge a $30.00 fee for processing the returned payment and require repayment with cash, cashier’s check or money order. Any account with two or more returned payments in a 12-month period will be designated as a “cash only” account. All future payments will need to be made with cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover.
The first level of EPB support is our local technical experts available by phone 24/7/365. If we can’t resolve your issue over the phone, we will dispatch a field technician to your business the same day or schedule a time that works best for you.
If you need assistance paying your bill, you can make arrangements with us.
Please contact us prior to your bill’s due date to ensure your service remains active.
EPB will dispatch a technician to your business. At EPB we triage all calls, and if you are completely out of service you are moved to the top of the list. We will dispatch a technician to your business, and we can have him call you before coming, if you desire.
EPB Hosted Senior Solution is a leased solution. The monthly lease amount pays for the dial-tone, maintenance of the hardware and ongoing support. The phones remain the property of EPB, but we will support the solution and replace defective handsets at no additional cost.
Residential customers may request to be billed on one of four optional dates each month. To choose a due date that’s right for you, call us at 423-648-1372.
Business customers can call 423-648-1500 to speak with a business account representative about options available to you.
All available features come standard with each handset. However, you can disable the Call Waiting and/or Voicemail features on any individual phone.
Yes. As long as your new address and physical business location is within the EPB service area, we can move your service.
Yes. Pre-Pay Power enables you to set up an account with an initial $50 payment to be applied against future power use. With Pre-Pay Power, you pay for power before you use it – like putting gas in your car. Add funds to your account 24 hours a day, and receive alerts when your balance is low. With the Pre-Pay Power option, there are no late fees, no disconnect fees, no security deposit and no surprise bills. However, initial connection fees do still apply.
Yes, EPB Hosted Phone Solutions feature an online CommPortal for complete phone system management. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
SimRing allows you to designate multiple phones to ring simultaneously when a call is directed to your desk phone. All phones will ring at the same time until the call is answered or voicemail on one of the phones picks up.
Find Me/Follow Me allows you to designate a series of phone numbers that will ring in the order you specify when a call is directed to your desk phone. You will either have SimRing or Find Me/Follow Me depending upon your level of service. Only one of these features may be used at one time. You can manage either feature from your desk phone or online via the CommPortal.
Top benefits are:
Improve productivity for knowledge workers and office staff via an intuitive larger, color display and easy to use line appearances
Make more efficient and productive calls with the unparalleled voice clarity of Polycom® HD Voice
Reduce deployment and maintenance costs—EPB Provisioning and web based configuration tool makes the VVX 450 simple to deploy, easy to administer, upgrade, and maintain
Polycom Acoustic Fence isolates and minimizes ambient environmental noise for better call clarity
Hosted Phone for Seniors allows residents to either use their existing home number or choose a new telephone number. EPB will install the handset of the facility’s choosing within the customer’s room. If new wiring is needed, there is a one-time wiring charge. However, many times we can use a facility’s existing wiring. We will also provide technical support for the phone, phone features, and continued support for any future questions or issues. This is all included in one monthly cost billed directly to the facility.
Yes, local call recording is supported on the VVX 350, VVX 450, VVX 501 and VVX 601 Business Media Phones.
EPB Hosted Phone Solutions give you a large business phone solution at an affordable price. They are perfect for businesses small and large - from 1 handset to 200. They are feature-rich and flexible enough to seamlessly do business both in the office or on the go, and can be easily scaled for large businesses who need more lines and call management functions. Our cloud-based VoIP systems feature high-quality Polycom handsets and functionality such as an online management portal, mobile softphone app, SimRing, incoming call manager, multi-line hunt group plus helpful user tools such as voicemail-to-email, "find me follow me" forwarding and much more. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
The EPB Pre-Pay Power option eliminates late fees, reconnect fees and security deposits. With Pre-Pay Power, you can decide what works best for you and your budget. If it’s difficult for you to make large monthly payments, you can pay smaller amounts daily, weekly, or biweekly instead. Pre-Pay Power puts the power in your hands. To sign up for Pre-Pay Power, please call us at 423-648-1372.
Yes. You can easily forward voice messages to another mailbox by pressing 5 while listening to a voice message from any phone, or by accessing your voicemail online via the CommPortal.
We understand that there may be times when paying your bill is difficult. If you need to request a payment extension and you meet the following criteria, you can avoid a disruption in your service by requesting up to a 7-day extension to submit a payment. Requirements include:
Must have received a disconnect notice
Do not have a balance over $600.00
Do not have a returned check for insufficient funds outstanding
There are benefits if you sign a contract with EPB. However, EPB does not require you to sign a contract. Speak with your EPB sales representative to find a solution that works best for you.
There is a maximum of 100 messages that can be saved at any given time. You can delete a message over the phone by following the prompts after you listen to the message. If you are out of storage, your caller will get the message “mailbox is full.” Therefore, it’s always a good idea to delete messages after listening to them.
An overlay is an addition of another area code to a region based on its population. Since our area has received a surge of growth, The Tennessee Public Utility Commission is adding a second area code for new phone lines only.
The Polycom VVX 450 business media phone features:
3.5” TFT (320 x 240)
12-line or speed dial keys
HD Voice up to 7KHz on all audio paths (Speaker, Handset, Headset)
Asian character support
Hard Keys: 12-key dial pad, home, speaker, mute, headset, volume, messages, hold, transfer
4-way navigation cluster with center “select” key
Supports VVX Expansion Modules and VVX Color Expansion modules
See your messages on screen with the EPB Visual Voicemail
Import and store up to 1,000 contacts with the EPB Contacts App
A usage anomaly alert will be sent when there is an unusual spike in your usage that does not appear to be related to the weather. In most cases, it will be identified within a few days of it first occurring. A bill threshold alert could occur due to weather (for example, an extremely cold month in the winter) and will typically only be triggered if aggregate usage is high over a longer time period (like weeks instead of days).
Yes. You can forward calls remotely to any of your business numbers at any time for any reason by accessing the Commportal from any web browser (including a smartphone or mobile device). In the event of a service outage at your location, you can use the CommPortal to have calls to your business number forwarded to another number, such as a mobile phone. See the Hosted Phone Quick Start guide for instructions on forwarding calls.
Yes, you can make this change online via CommPortal if you are the Administrator for your business or by giving us a call at 423-648-1500.
All of EPB’s equipment is housed in a state-of-art data center that is a “bunker” type building which was built specifically to withstand major disasters. In addition, EPB also has a geo-diverse location with full redundancy for all our phone services. Just like any other phone carrier, EPB does use third parties to complete calls all over the world. So, if another carrier experiences a disaster there could be issues completing calls outside of EPB’s calling area. If you ever experience any issues, EPB is here to help 24/7/365 via chat or by calling 423-648-1372.
No, the price of a call, coverage area or other rates will not change due to the area code overlay.
Yes. Switch to Paperless Billing and get a one-time $10 bill credit for each account—that’s a $20 total credit if you convert both Energy and Fiber Optics bills.
EPB Hosted Phone Solutions give you a large business phone solution at an affordable price. They are perfect for businesses small and large - from 1 handset to 200. They are feature-rich and flexible enough to seamlessly do business both in the office or on the go, and can be easily scaled for large businesses who need more lines and call management functions. Our cloud-based VoIP systems feature high-quality Polycom handsets and functionality such as an online management portal, mobile softphone app, SimRing, incoming call manager, multi-line hunt group plus helpful user tools such as voicemail-to-email, "find me follow me" forwarding and much more. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
Yes. Our Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) automatically answers incoming calls and distributes them to a specific group within your organization. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
No. All EPB services include expert technical support 24/7/365 at no additional charge. You’ll save the expense of added IT staff with anytime, expert technical support that ensures your system is always performing at its peak.
A notification you receive via the myEPB app when the total charges for your current bill have exceeded a dollar amount that you specify within your app settings.
This change is being implemented for the entire 423 are code region, including other East Tennessee communities like Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport.
Hosted Phone for Seniors is a solution for residents of assisted living or long-term care facilities. The solution includes special handsets to address the unique needs of seniors, and feature amplified sound, extra-large Braille keypad, a bright visual ringer, hearing-aid integration and more. Features include:
Keep your current number or choose an easy-to-remember one.
Voicemail & voicemail-to-email.
Call waiting.
Call forwarding.
Selective call acceptance.
Anonymous call rejection.
Talking caller ID.
Unlimited domestic long distance at no additional charge.
E911 (Enhanced 911) is support for wireless phone users who dial 911, the standard number for requesting help in an emergency. Since wireless users are often mobile, it’s necessary to inform the responder of the 911 caller’s location. E911 support is mandated for traditional mobile phone service by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Yes. Call long distance at just 6¢ per minute. Get the basic plan for just $22.99 per month plus tax. Get 120 minutes of long distance calling at just $29.00 per month plus tax. Or, get unlimited long distance calling at just $39.99 per month plus tax. If you would like to add long distance service, call us anytime day or night at 423-648-1372.
The VVX 350 has a 208x104 pixel backlit grey-scale graphical LCD screen.
Yes, however the only headset we have for use with the Polycom phones are the Plantronics Savi 740 headsets. You will also need to purchase an APP-51 Cable to connect the headset to your phone.
Here’s how it works for current Solar Share participants: Each solar panel within the array is estimated to produce approximately 37 kWh per month, but this amount can be higher or lower based on time of year and weather. Determine the percentage of your home's energy use you want to receive as a solar credit and multiply that by your average monthly energy use. For example, if you want 25% of your home's power use to be solar, and your average use is 1,600 kWh per month, you would license 11 panels (1600 x .25 = 400/37 = 10.8).
EPB Solar Share is currently sold out due to popular demand. Sign up for email updates to be among the first to hear about new renewable energy projects.
Families with students who participate in the Hamilton County Schools Free & Reduced Meals Program may be eligible to receive discounted high-speed internet service from EPB Fiber Optics. Just call us at 423-648-1372 to learn if you qualify and to arrange for service.
You may have a cordless handset that’s been left turned on. Make sure all of your home phones are turned off, then try again.
Yes. Our POTs traditional phone connections are delivered through the area’s only 100% fiber optic network and backed by expert, local 24/7 customer service. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
No. Hosted Phone for Seniors is a quantity-based offering billed directly to a facility. At this time, EPB does not offer this solution to residential customers, so we cannot bill your residents directly. You can however, build the cost of the service into your current resident charges.
Just press *98, go to EPB’s online portal (phone.epbfi.com), or dial 648-Mail and follow the prompts. If you decide you want to set up your voicemails to go to your personal email address, this can be set up within in our online portal at phone.epbfi.com
Any type of landline corded or cordless phone can be used with Fi Phone service.
SimRing (simultaneous ring) gives you the option of having a call to your phone ring multiple other phones at the same time until the call is answered or voicemail picks up.
Yes you can!
Yes. Our Call Record add-on is for customers who need to record call center and/or other employee calls for compliance, risk and training purposes. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
Your Hosted Phone service comes with an 8-hour battery backup to help ensure the continuation of your phone service in the event of a short power outage. However, if a significant power outage occurs or the system lines are damaged, your phone service will be offline until restoration has occurred.
Yes. Easy-to-read large print bills are available.
Store up to 30 numbers in Speed Dial. Dial *75, assign a speed dial number (any number between 20-49), then dial the number you would like to store, including the area code. To call a speed dial number, press the assigned speed dial number and then press #.
The VVX 350 is a 6-line entry-level business desk phone designed to bring high-quality, cost effective solutions to cubicle workers through advanced UC telephony features. It’s applications integration enables users to accomplish core tasks as efficiently as possible while complementing their desktop office applications.
Short codes are short numeric speed dial codes that can be set up within your business phone system so that you can quickly make interoffice calls without dialing a whole phone number or extension. You may also establish customized short codes for frequently dialed numbers outside your business (for instance, you may set up a short code to call another office location, a vendor or a customer).
No. There is not a minimum number of residents or rooms, but EPB does require that you purchase our Hosted Phone solution as part of your Hosted Phone for Seniors plan.
No, your phone number, including your current area code will not be affected. The new 729 area code will only apply to new phone numbers.
Each handset has a $25 recurring monthly fee. The resident or facility can choose what handset they want in each room. The monthly fee includes the lease of the handset, all features and functionality of the phone number, phone installation and training and ongoing support. If at any time there is a problem with the phone itself, EPB will replace it no questions asked.
In the MyEPB online portal you can manage your account information, pay your bills, see your usage history and much, much more.
EPB Hosted Phone for Seniors is a complete communications solution that is more reliable and less expensive than traditional PBX systems, and is equipped with the right handsets and features to address the unique needs of your residents. Plus like everything EPB offers, this solution is backed by anytime local technical support.
CREDITS and CHARGES will appear as separate line items on your monthly bill.
The monthly usage chart shows data for a calendar month. The "billing cycle to date" information corresponds to your specific billing cycle. For example, your account may be billed for usage between March 10 and April 9 (your April billing cycle), whereas the calendar month for April is April 1 to April 30.
Power Share is a year-round program that provides direct support to Chattanooga area families in need. The program is made possible by our customers who contribute funds through monthly electric power bills, or by making a pledge. All donated funds are given to United Way 211 — an outreach program that qualifies and distributes 100% of contributed funds to local families.
To find out more about contributing to Power Share, call EPB at (423) 648-1372. If you or someone you know is in need, please call United Way 211 by dialing either 211 or (423) 265-8000.
Please contact our network operations team at 423-648-1500, 24/7/365, and choose option 6.
Yes, any systems in place programmed to use 7-digit dialing will need to be updated to use 10-digit dialing. This could include security systems/gates, fire systems, medical monitoring devices, fax machines, call forwarding settings, ankle monitors and more. Phone numbers that have been saved in landline phone equipment and mobile phones will also need to be updated to include 10 digits.
If a resident moves to another room, EPB can come out and relocate their number. If at any time you need to disconnect a resident's phone, just call EPB and we can remove the charge and plan to have the equipment returned. If you approve, a resident may take their Hosted Phone for Seniors number with them to another carrier or facility.
It depends on several factors. EPB creates a separate internet connection that is locked down for security reasons, so your phone service does share your business internet connection. If the on-premises internet connection has issues due to your equipment failure, the phones would continue to work. However, if an internet outage is an external issue, then phone service may cease to work until the outage is resolved. The root of the problem determines if any phone outage will occur. EPB is available 24/7/365 to take any trouble calls and dispatch a technician to your business, if needed.
Fi Phone includes many popular features including voicemail, call forwarding, call blocking, call waiting, spam stop, speed dialing, three way calling, call transferring and more. And, affordable domestic and international calling plans are also available.
The VVX 450 has a 3.5” inch color screen 320 x 240 pixels.
Yes. You can use your softphone anywhere in the world as long as you have access to the Internet. Just use it as if you are dialing from the US. Long distance charges will apply.
Yes. We enable you to take total control of your conference calls from 5 to 100 attendees with fast, reliable connections and features like Conference Bridge and All Call. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
This enables you to enhance productivity with on-demand audio conferencing that can manage callers, record calls and more. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
Your designated EPB Hosted Phone administrator can add and edit short codes by logging in to the administrator CommPortal online.
Out of the box, the VVX 350 comes with the following applications: EPB Messages (Visual Voicemail) and EPB Contacts.
EPB encourages all customers to enroll in paperless billing. When you do, you will receive a one-time $10 credit per account. To switch to paperless billing, please click here or call 423-648-1372.
Out of the box, the VVX 450 comes with the following applications: EPB Messages (Visual Voicemail) and EPB Contacts.
Yes, the VVX 450 supports electronic hook switch capabilities with certain GN Netcom/Jabra, Logitech, Plantronics and Sennheiser brand headsets. For more information, refer to a list of all the compatibility headsets on the Support Sitephone technology. It combines wideband codecs with our patented Polycom Acoustic ClarityTM technology into a complete, integrated design to maximize the audio performance of the VVX phone. Visit www.polycom.com/hdvoice to learn more.
Because of increased population in the region represented by the 423 area code, a secondary are code is being introduced. To accommodate growth, new local phone lines may be given a 729 area code.
Our current commercial energy rates can be found here. The current Total Monthly Fuel Cost Adjustment used to help determine your energy bills this month can be found by clicking here
Power bills vary depending on the amount of electric power you use. Weather plays the biggest role in your electric bill since your HVAC unit is one of your home's biggest energy users. In the milder months of spring and fall, you are more likely to use less energy than in the colder and hotter months of the winter or summer.
EPB Energy Pros can visit your home and perform a free home energy checkup at any time. Please call 423-648-1372 to schedule your visit.
If you would like to dispute an EPB Electric Power bill that you think is in error, please contact us at (423) 648-1372. We will not disconnect service for nonpayment of the amount in dispute if you notify us before the bill is past due and you pay all undisputed charges before their due date.
The Total Monthly Fuel Cost Adjustment is determined by the cost of the natural gas, coal and other fuels used to generate your power. Because of frequent fluctuations in these fuels, TVA makes an adjustment to the “fuel cost” portion of your electric rate each month based on the current market price of these fuels.
The current Total Monthly Fuel Cost Adjustment used to help determine your energy bills this month can be found by clicking here.
To see our complete residential energy rates, click here. To see our complete commercial energy rates, click here.
Yes, this can be done online via CommPortal or by dialing *72 followed by the 10-digit forwarding phone number. To remove forwarding dial *73.
If at some point one or more Hosted Phone for Seniors handsets fail, EPB will replace them at no additional cost. You will just need to contact EPB at 423-648-1372 and we will schedule for one of our field techs install replacement phone(s).
Access your account at EPB.com. Go to EPB.com. Click the "Sign In" at the top right. Select "My Accounts" on the menu. Type in your Username and Password, and select the "Login" button. Select "My Consumption History" on the menu left. Here you will find your past bills and charts of your energy usage. You can also access this information by downloading the FREE MyEPB app from Apple and Google Play app stores.
EPB Solar Share is currently sold out due to popular demand. Sign up for email updates to be among the first to hear about new renewable energy projects.
EPB Hosted UC is software that offers the freedom and convenience of making and receiving calls from your Windows or MAC desktop computer or laptop, Android tablet or smartphone, and IOS tablet or smartphone. It allows a business to maintain one identity and use their business number anywhere/anytime.
Yes. Choose reliable domestic and international plans that can be changed at any time, using your existing toll-free numbers so you have just one telephone bill. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
EPB Hosted Phone service requires the use of telephones provided as part of your EPB Hosted Phone service agreement. We offer a variety of handsets and options designed to fit the needs of your business. In addition, mobile phones and smartphones from any service provider can be used to access many of the Hosted Phone features and services when you are away from the office.
Yes, our "Find Me Follow Me" feature enables you to have calls ring simultaneously to multiple locations, extensions or mobile phones. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
To transfer a caller to another person, press the “Flash/Talk” button, dial the number where the call is being transferred, then hang up.
Each message can be up to three minutes long.
There is no charge for residential installation. And, with EPB there are no contracts or hidden fees.
Your security deposit – plus interest – may be refunded upon your request after 12 months of continuous service and a good payment record on residential accounts. If you disconnect your service before your deposit is refunded, the full amount of the deposit and any accrued interest will be applied toward your final bill. Any amount remaining will be refunded to you.
If service is disconnected due to nonpayment, we require that all past due balances be paid as well as any reconnection fees and security deposits.
By accepting electric service from EPB Energy, you agree to comply with all Rates, Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures that exist at the time service is started. This includes, but is not limited to, obligation to pay for any electric service provided to you by EPB Energy. Failure to abide by EPB Energy’s Rates, Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures may cause your electric service to be disconnected. You further agree to pay all expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, associated with the collection of any unpaid amounts for electric service received by you from EPB Energy. Your obligation upon acceptance of service from EPB Energy is subject to any future amendments or modifications to the Rates, Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
Yes. EPB will provide Hosted Phone for Seniors training for your staff and residents. And if any resident has an issue or needs help using their phone’s features, they can call EPB technical support at any time day or night.
Just call us at 423-648-1372 anytime day or night for billing assistance.
Yes, however it is easier to take your phone with you to a new office so the programming and preferences will stay with the phone.
Yes, we have a Voicemail-to-Email feature that transcribes the message.
The VVX 450 is a 12-line, color screen, mid-range business desk phone designed to bring high-quality, cost-effective solutions to office workers and attendants through advanced UC telephony features. Its applications integration enable users to accomplish core tasks as efficiently as possible while complementing their desktop office applications.
Press the Park 1 or Park 2 keys while you are speaking with the original call to place it on hold.
No. One bill will include all activity. However, each resident's number will be identified as its own line item charge.
Hosted Phone for Seniors is proven VoIP technology delivered over the World’s Fastest Internet for faster uptimes and failsafe reliability with built-in disaster recovery. Plus now you can take the hassle out of continually granting multiple providers with access to facilities and resident rooms. Our experts will put together a single, custom solution specific to your unique needs. We’ll make sure you have the right phone lines and equipment, install handsets, show residents how to use their phone and its features — and back it all with anytime local technical support.
The Polycom VVX 350 business media phone features:
Backlit grayscale graphical LCD (208 x 104)
6-line or speed dial keys
HD Voice up to 7KHz on all audio paths (Speaker, Handset, Headset)
Asian character support
Hard Keys: 12-key dial pad, home, speaker, mute, headset, volume, messages, hold, transfer
4-way navigation cluster with center “select” key
Yes, you can make this change online via CommPortal if you are the Administrator for your business or by giving us a call at 423-648-1500.
Our EPB Hosted UC product requires an Internet connection. If you are unable to get an Internet connection, you will be unable to use your EPB Hosted UC. Note: if you are not using a Wi-Fi connection to connect to EPB Hosted UC, then you can use your cellular data. All data charges associated with the usage of EPB Hosted UC may apply.
Yes. EPB Hosted Phone has a SoftPhone feature that enables you to seamlessly conduct business calls from your landline system or mobile phones as if you are at a central location. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
Polycom HD Voice delivers much clearer, more vibrant and life-like conversations than the traditional phone technology. It combines wideband codecs with our patented Acoustic Clarity Technology into a complete, integrated design to maximize the audio performance of the VVX phone. You can learn more at www.polycom.com/hdvoice.
Every extension number is directly connected to a specific telephone in your business. If you need to change or add an extension, call us at 423-648-1500.
Just call us at 423-648-1372 anytime day or night for billing assistance.
No, there is not a restriction. If you would like to help, please call 423-648-1500 (option 2) and one of our sales representatives will be happy to assist you.
Yes, a business can take a softphone only solution. EPB takes pride in helping our customers find solutions that meet their needs. Please contact one of our sales reps at 423-648-1500, option 2, and they will be happy to assist you.
EPB offers both table top and cordless phone handset options. You can mix and match based on your residents' needs. Each of the three handset options feature:
Digital Clarity Power™ hearing aid technology for clearer call quality.
Boost and dB Amplifier for hearing impaired users.
T-coil Technology — an increase in sound quality and clarity in your hearing aids when listening to a public address system or using the telephone.
Hearing aid compatible and TIA-1083 compliant.
Super bright visual ringer with voicemail indicator.
Amplified ringer, incoming sounds and outgoing speech.
Loud and clear speakerphone for hands-free conversations.
Clarity VoiceAssist talking keypad.
One-Touch Memory Buttons.
Two of the handsets also feature large caller ID screens and battery backups.
Yes. However, international long distance is charged per minute and the rate varies based on what country code you dial. All International LD charges will be itemized on your monthly bill. A list of current per-minute charges for each country code can be found here. EPB can also disable international long distance capabilities on any phones you wish.
Yes. Just dial *72 and the 10-digit forwarding number. A line will remain forwarded unless deactivated by pressing *73.
To send calls to a mobile phone or other number, dial *72, enter the forwarding phone number and press # to activate. To deactivate, dial *73# from your home phone.
Yes, most fax machine and TDD equipment will work with Fi Phone. If you have any questions about specific equipment, please call us at 423-648-1500.
Press *98 and follow the prompts.Press *98 and follow the prompts. You can also access your voicemail when not at home by dialing 423-648-MAIL (423-648-6245), then follow the prompts to enter your home phone number and voicemail PIN.
We’re pleased to offer a large print bill summary to make reading your electric bill easier.
To start receiving large print bill summaries, please call us at (423) 648-1372.
No, the phones receive Power over Ethernet (PoE) using the switch that we install in your business.
If we do not receive payment by the 16th day after your billing date, a late fee will be added to your balance, and your account will be considered delinquent. The late fee is 5% on the first $250.00 of the amount owed, and 1% on the remaining balance above $250.00. A reminder notice will be mailed, indicating the amount of payment due. Payment must be received by EPB Electric Power within seven days of this reminder notice in order to avoid disconnection of your service. Please note that EPB Electric Power field representatives cannot accept payments. If you foresee difficulty in paying a bill, call us at (423) 648-1372 and we may be able to extend your payment deadline. In special circumstances, we may also be able to direct you to social service agencies for financial assistance.
Hosted Phone for Seniors has been specifically tailored for residents of an assisted living facility. However, we would be happy to evaluate any business need and work to find a solution.
Hosted Phone for Seniors installation timeframes are determined by many factors, such as the porting of phone numbers, number of handsets being installed, and wiring requirements. EPB will work with you, and your residents, throughout the entire installation to clearly communicate an expected downtime duration when planned. EPB will detail the installation in advance and set expectations on your specific installation before we come out to install your new service.
Yes. Redundant Primary Rate Interface (PRI) offers a complete digital voice solution with calls sent and delivered via multiple geo-diverse fiber optic paths for maximum reliability. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment by calling 423-648-1500.
For your convenience, we offer several Pay Stations at various locations within our service area that accept payment by cash, check, credit or debit card. You can also make payments at one of our three convenient locations:
EPB Brainerd Branch 830 Eastgate Loop - Drive-thru only Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. EZ-Pay Kiosk and equipment return available 24/7
EPB Hixson Branch 2124 North Point Blvd. - Drive-thru only Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. EZ-Pay Kiosk and equipment return available 24/7
EPB Main Office 10 West M.L. King Blvd. - LOBBY CLOSED - No contact, curbside EZ-Pay Kiosk on the Market Street side (across from Miller Park) available 24/7
Yes. We understand your business needs change over time. That’s why our Hosted Phone for Seniors solutions are scalable from 1 handset to 1,000. Your sales representative will be happy to guide you through the process of modifying your solution as needed.
Top benefits are:
Make more efficient and productive calls with the unparalleled voice clarity of Polycom® HD Voice
Improve productivity for cubicle workers through an intuitive easy to use user interface
Reduce deployment and maintenance costs—EPB Provisioning and web based configuration tool makes the VVX 350 simple to deploy, easy to administer, upgrade and maintain
Polycom Acoustic Fence isolates and minimizes ambient environmental noise for better call clarity
See your messages on screen with the EPB Visual Voicemail
Yes. EPB Hosted Phone Solutions can be set up to automatically translate voicemails and send them to email or mobile text. To learn more schedule your free business technology assessment or call 423-648-1500.
Phones delivered over an ethernet network will not stay active for exceedingly long without also having a UPS system. Phones that utilize analog lines, such as fax machines, fire alarms, etc. will remain functional for a minimum of 8 hours in the event of a power outage.
Everyone making calls in the local area will be required to dial 10 digits for all calls, including local calls. However, if you already have a phone line using a 423 area code, your number will not change. Only new phone lines established after March 5, 2025, may have a 729 area code.
To answer an incoming call while on a call, press the “Flash/Talk” button. To temporarily deactivate call waiting for a single call, dial *70 before dialing the number. To turn off call waiting during an active call, dial *70 then press “Flash/Talk.”
If you do not already do so, get in the habit of dialing 10 digits for all calls before February 5, 2025. You should also be sure that your phone number includes the area code anywhere you have given your contact information, including doctor’s offices. You should also be sure any items such as business cards, stationery, pet tags, etc. include the area code on your phone number. In addition, be sure that any equipment or software is updated to accommodate 10-digit dialing.
Yes. EPB’s Hosted Phone for Seniors is a traditional phone solution, which is delivered via EPB’s state-of-the-art, redundant telephony switch. There is not any on-premise PBX equipment that you must maintain like a traditional PBX. Additionally, EPB has redundancy built into our solution, which provides another layer of reliability.
Each of our three handset options is designed with hearing and vision-impaired seniors in mind, with features such as extra-large buttons, bright visual ringer, one-touch speed dial, amplified volume, hearing aid integration and the ability to automatically adjust the volume of soft and loud sounds
For current Solar Share participants: Charges will appear the month after you sign up with credits appearing the month after that. For example, if you contact EPB and sign up on July 15 for a panel, you will see the CHARGE on your AUGUST invoice (the next month and all following months). The CREDIT will appear on your SEPTEMBER invoice (approximately 2 months after you sign up and all following months). Why? During the first month after your purchase, your panel is generating electricity. That generation is accumulated throughout the month and then credited on your next bill. If a customer opts for the multi-year license, this is a one-time only charge.
EPB Solar Share is currently sold out due to popular demand. Sign up for email updates to be among the first to hear about new renewable energy projects.
Starting February 5, 2025, you must always use the area code when making local calls, even if the person you are calling has the same area code as you.
