Cannot access Nortel Voicemail System

I was very hopeful the new 2.0.1 firmware would fix this issue but sadly it did not. The issue is the duration (of silence) between the touch tones. When you press "**", it sounds like they happen in quick succession on your iphone speaker, but in reality there is a 1 second pause between them. The Nortel phone system requires that the two "*" be sent quicker (without the pause between them). You can verify this cause by dialing a landline and pressing ** and hear how long the pause is between the touch tones. This is an iPhone issue that can be resolved via firmware update if Apple chooses to fix it.

Very disappointing that this wasn't addressed in 2.01. I actually bought a $14.98 GoPhone at Walmart just to check my corporate VM. I'll be re-installing my blackberry soon because carrying two devices is not what I signed up for!

Very Frustrating.
Apple Please fix!!

I have the same problem using the Nortel Vmail Call Pilot 150 system. It always worked with my first IPhone and now not with the 3G version. I am on the road A LOT so it was very frustrating. I did find a work around. You can setup the Nortel system for "VM notification" where the system will call your cell phone the moment a message is left for you. When you answer the call the system will prompt you to enter "1" and then your "password". That key combination allows you to access your email. In the case where you would miss the "VM notification" call it will leave a message on your Iphone. Just call your line and "leave a short message". That will instantly have the system call you for Notification where you can then get in to check all of the VMails that you missed on the previous Notification call(s). If you can set your system up for VM notification , this is easier than holding another phone up to the 3G IPhone to dial the tones. If not then that is a good solution until a software/firmware update is done.

Thanks - I need to give this a try to see if I can set it up on our Nortel system.

This is a great suggestion. Do you have the protocol on how to set this up? I'd love to give this a try, but can't find the required commands? Thanks for the help.

Pat

Did you just hear me scream? Just updated and it still doesn't work. And, I'm beyond the return period from AT&T. I wish they would tell us what bugs were supposed to be fixed and if this was supposed to be included. I'm crying now.

Add me to the list of frustrated users. Only saw the problem when I upgraded to 3G on Sunday. Too late to return it because my teenager now controls the old iphone.

iPhone tech support suggested that I get my company to change the voice mail protocol to a single * rather than **. Wow, very insightful. I love Apple but this is really frustrating, especially when tech support says, "Ummmmmmm, I don't know what to tell you. Both my supervisor and I have never seen a voice mail system that requires two key entries for voice mail. Good luck with the problem"

An earlier comment suggested that location might be an issue. I was able to access voice mail once with 3G on when I was in the office. For now I have disabled the 3G function to keep my battery charged past 3 pm. Turning off the 3G gets me access about half the time. With this slight improvement I can wait until Apple figures this out.

I posted this work around in another thread but thought I'd share it here too since I was also watching this thread.

I've had the same problem with being unable to access my Nortel voicemail system using the ** entry. After reading all of your posts I came up with a solution that works for me every time. I thought I should share this with all of you. First, you need to install a free application on your iPhone 3G that both records and plays back recordings. I used the YouNote free version but I'm sure many will work because the principle is the same. Then go to this website http://www.dialabc.com/sound/generate/ and generate a sound of "**". I used the default settings of the program. Then, save the file in your computer, play it on your computer, and record the sound on your iPhone by using your recording application (eg YouNote). Then, place the call to you voicemail number and while its dialing exit the phone call screen, open the Record/Play App (YouNote), and at the appropriate time, play the recording. Then, just exit the App, open the phone icon and enter your password...you are in. This has worked for me every time. This is a little bit of a hassle but it's easier than the other suggestions I've seen. This will hold all of us over until Apple fixes this problem.

Thank You, Greg Eriksen. This method of recording the tones and playing them back in order to get into Nortel Vociemail system actually works (every time). I found that the call must be set to Speaker mode prior to playing back the tones in order for the tones to register.

I tried a few audio note programs and I liked Ecco Note the best for this purpose.

It's definitely some kind of either latest firmware problem or 3G problem. On my other iPhone it wasn't a problem, it worked fine. But one of my customers sent me an email today -- that's when I noticed it. I have a 3G iPhone now.

I've tried from a landline, it works fine. But when I use my iPhone, I can't dial into my PBX and make outbound calls. I can dial into the PBX, but once I try to use the keypad to make outbound calls, the tones aren't recognized.

I'm a telephony developer, it has nothing to do with a Nortel switch. I'm dialing into Dialgogic cards then trying to dial out -- it doesn't work. Like I say, it used to work on my first iPhone and it works from my landline or using my wife's cheapo cell phone. It's some kind of problem with the iPhone.

*****.

I'm calling Apple now to report the problem.

I've contacted Apple, they know about the problem. It's also helpful if you send them input, here:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

I can't imagine they'll let this go very long without issuing a fix.

Sign me up as another frustrated new iPhone user. I too have a Nortel system. Disabling the 3G on my phone allowed me to access my voicemail. Not a great solution. Apple, please create a solution for this. I am going to have to switch from iPhone to blackberry.

well... how 'bout that...
after the 2.1 update i just installed.... everything works just like it's supposed to.

imagine that... it WAS apple's fault 😉

anyhoo, hope everyone else has the same luck!

iPhone 2.1 Update issued today fixes this problem.
The long term solution is to have only one phone number.
What a bunch of whiners.