With voice mail, callers can leave a person a message for you whether you're on the line or just unable to answer the phone. After 4 to 5 rings, (or immediate if you are already on the line), voice mail picks up, greets the caller with your personal recorded message and allows them to leave a message for you. Voice mail is more convenient than an old fashioned answering machine. Voice mail can answer incoming calls when you are already on the line, something an answering machine can't do! Dial 449-1000 to retrieve messages from your phone.