Abstract: A method to handle an incoming call to a target telephone that is engaged in a present call. A first signal to the target telephone indicates an incoming call, and a second signal to the calling telephone indicates that the target telephone is busy. Another method issues a first signal to a target telephone to indicate an incoming call. A ringback tone is issued to the calling telephone causing a speaker of the calling telephone to provide a ringing sound to the caller. A switch-hook signal from the target telephone indicates a desire of a user of the target telephone to place a party to the present call on hold, and to connect to the incoming call. A busy signal, is issued to the calling telephone causing its speaker to provide a busy sound if the switch-hook signal is not received by the time a variable reaches a predetermined limit.