The Ohio State University

If you are using an Authorization code (Auth Code) to place a long distance call:

• Verify that you are dialing correctly. Click here for instructions on how to dial a domestic long distance call from your location. Click here for international long distance dialing instructions.
• If your telephone has a switch on it that says Tone or Pulse, make sure Tone dialing is selected. Tone (or touch-tone) dialing is required for placing a long distance call with your authorization code and/or PIN.
• From campus, if you do not get dial tone immediately after entering 1 plus your authorization code, your authorization code may be deactivated or the phone from which you are calling may be restricted from placing long distance calls. Try using your authorization code from a different campus telephone. If it does not work, you may need to open a repair.
• From off campus, if you hear a message stating, "Your authorization code is not valid," there is a problem with the authorization code entered. You may need to open a repair.
• From off campus, if you hear the message, "The PIN entered is not valid," there is a problem with the PIN entered. You may need to open a repair.
• If you hear a fast busy tone or a message stating "All circuits are busy" when dialing into OIT Long Distance system, wait a few minutes, and then try your call again. If the problem still exists, open a repair.
• If you hear a message stating, "Due to the status of your OIT account, your call cannot be completed," there is a problem with your OIT account (e.g., past due, over credit limit, etc.). You can check the status of your account with our Online Account Management System or by calling our Automated Customer Service Line at 614-292-9454. If your account is not past due or over its credit limit, you may to open a repair or contact an OIT Representative at 614-688-HELP (4357) during business hours for assistance.
• If you are using your authorization code to send a fax, you may need to refer to the instruction manual for your fax machine. Generally, fax machines do not recognize authorization codes and tones/pauses that are required before and after the auth code. Therefore, you will need to create the tones and pauses needed. Some fax machines have a pause button to do this.
  • If your fax machine has a pause button:
    • Dial 1 and then press the pause button. Next, enter your authorization code, and then, press the pause button again. Finally, enter the long distance number, and then press the send button.
    • If your fax machine does not have a pause button, wait several seconds after dialing 1 before entering your authorization code, and again wait several seconds before entering the phone number.
• If you are using your authorization code to send a fax to an international country, you may need to verify how many digits your fax machine can accept. Some machines have a digit limitation, and using your authorization code could put you over the digit limit of the machine. In this case, you may need to send the fax by dialing the number directly (without an authorization code).

Business customers, if you are dialing direct (not using an authorization code) to place a long distance call:

• Verify that you are dialing correctly.
  • Domestic long distance calling from campus phones
    • Dial 9 + 1 + area code + 7-digit phone number
  • International long distance calling from campus phones:
    • Dial 9 + 011 + city code + country code + 7-digit phone number
      NOTE: Do not pause for dial tone after dialing 9.
• If you are still unable to place a direct dial long distance call from your campus phone, your phone may only allow certain types of outgoing calls, such as campus and local only calling, or authorization code long distance calling. Check with your department's OIT coordinator for assistance.