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Reference.org
Conference call
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<p>A conference call (sometimes called an audio teleconference or ATC) is a <a href="/facts/Telephone_call/4wUtUXpY">telephone call</a> in which several people share a telephone line at the same time. The conference call may be designed to allow the <a href="/facts/Called_party/TxXCTuQT">called party</a> to participate during the call or set up so that the called party merely listens into the call and cannot speak. </p><p>The more limited three-way calling is available (usually at an extra charge) on home or office phone lines. For a three-way call, the first called party is dialed. Then the <a href="/facts/Hook_flash/23lILEhc">hook flash</a> button (or recall button) is pressed and the other <a href="/facts/Called_party/TxXCTuQT">called party</a>'s phone number is dialed. While it is ringing, flash/recall is pressed again to connect the three people together. This option allows callers to add a second outgoing call to an already connected call. </p>