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Conference calls are run in the similar way by all conference companies. There might be some special features or details specific to the conference call provider, but in general, conference calls are working in this way:

• You set up an account with a conference call company. You enter the billing information and from this moment on you are responsible for all charges that will be related to this account.
  
  
• You receive a unique dial-in toll free phone number. This phone number will remain the same all the time until you close the account. If you expect some international Participants you can apply for a toll phone number (you should warn the Participant that he will pay for the long distance call to his home phone company).
  
  
• Once the account is set up the conference calls company issues you the Administrator code to hold conferences. Now you are also able to add participants to the account and distribute Participants codes to enable them to join your conference after they dial in the conference call phone number. As a rule, the Administrator uses the e-mail notifications to let the Participants know of a forthcoming conference.
  
  
• Conference calls Administrator is the manager of call conferences: using the phone keypads he starts and ends them, interacts with the participants or uses the presentation mode, adjusts volume, mutes the line and so on. He also can manage the conference from the web.
  
  
• In the process of the conference calls it is possible to dial-out: to call some person who was not on the list of Participants and invite him to join the conference. Only the Administrator can do this.
  
  
• An operator can moderate the conference calls – it should be arranged in advance with the conference calls provider. If the administrator thinks he might need some help he invites an operator to assist him.
  
  
• It is possible to arrange the recording of the conference call via the conference call company web interface. Later on the Administrator can download the recording or require posting him the CD/ tape or a transcription copy of the conference call meeting.
  
  
• In addition to the above services the conference call companies often provide extra services: web conferencing (when you can share your computer screen and any applications with the conference participants), video conferencing and etc.
  
  
• Conference calls do not have any minimums; conference call providers charge their fees per minute for each Participant (in case you use only conference call services). You can check your account status online.
  

It is the way the conference calls work. It is a good idea to check the list of other services provided in addition to the conference calls – they can make your conference more efficient and memorable.