You can define a delay announcement interval for each hunt group. This interval of 0 to 99 seconds specifies how long a call remains in the queue before the system connects the call to a recorded announcement. When a call enters the queue, the interval starts. If Call Coverage is administered, the Don't Answer interval of 1 to 99 ringing cycles also starts when the call enters the queue. After these intervals start, one of the following processes also starts:

• If the Don't Answer interval expires before the delay announcement interval expires, the system redirects the call to coverage.

• If no coverage point is available, the call remains in the queue. The system connects the call to the delay announcement when the delay announcement interval expires.

• If the delay announcement interval expires before the Don't Answer interval, the system connects the call to a delay announcement. If the announcement is already in use, the system resets the delay announcement interval.

This process continues as above until the call is answered, goes to coverage, connects to an announcement, or ends because the caller has disconnected the call.

If you set the delay announcement interval to 0 seconds, the system automatically connects a call to the announcement. This announcement is called a forced first announcement. In this case, the system does not connect the call to a hunt group member until after the announcement. The caller does not hear music.

If the system uses call coverage to redirect a call to another hunt group, the caller does not hear the forced first announcement of either hunt group. However, the caller might hear the first or the second announcement of the covering hunt group.