What is a Busy Signal?
A busy signal is a signal which indicates that the telephone number someone is trying to call cannot be reached because the phone is otherwise engaged, or because the circuits are busy, making the call impossible to complete. On many phones, the busy signal takes the form of a distinctive tone, but a busy signal can also be visual, as in the case of a phone designed for deaf or hearing-impaired users. Many people are familiar with the sound of a busy signal, as it differs markedly from the dial tone, the tone which indicates that the phone line is open and ready to be dialed. In most cases, a busy signal simply indicates that the person you are calling is on the phone. A busy signal will also be heard if the phone is off the hook. In these instances, the signal indicates that there is no technical obstacle to placing the call, but that the call cannot be completed because the phone is in use. In some cases, you can ask an operator to break in, if you are calling in an emergency, in whi
