How to receive calls
Please note that due to data protection rules, LSE staff will NOT be able to give your extension number to callers. It is therefore important that you let your family and friends know your five-digit extension number so that they can contact you.
Give your callers the main LSE halls access number -
0844 550 6666
(callers from overseas will need to key the relevant international access code from that country, normally 00, followed by 44 844 550 6666). This is not a London number so callers should not key 020.
Please note the LSE is not responsible for charges applied by overseas carriers to calls from other countries to the School and Halls of Residence.
On connection they will hear the following message:
"Welcome to the London School of Economics and Political Science, please key the extension number of the person you require"
Callers will then need to key your extension number and will be connected directly to your room. If you do not answer within five rings, your call will automatically be forwarded to your voicemail account.
How to make calls in the UK and Abroad
There are two ways of making calls in the UK and abroad:
You can either buy an LSE/Primus calling card from your Hall reception, or open an account with LSE/Primus by keying 845.
Signing up for account-based calling
To set up an account, key 845 on your phone and select option 1.
Once you are connected to a Customer Service Advisor, you will need to state that you are calling from the London School of Economics.
The Customer Service Advisor will ask for the following details:
Name
Room Number & Address (LSE Hall of Residence)
Contact No
Password
Extension number
Credit/Debit card details
The initial account opening charge (and minimum top up) is £5.
The Customer Service Advisor will then provide you with an account number.
The account may take up to 24/48hrs to activate.
Making a call with an account
Key 848 on your phone and you will hear the following message "Your balance is ####, please enter the number you wish to call". The full number including the area code will have to be keyed, e.g. 020-7 if calling a London number.
Process to top up an account
Key 845 and you will be connected to the Primus Call Centre. You will need to select option 2 for Customer Services.
Once you are connected to a Customer Service Advisor, you will need to state that you are calling from the London School of Economics.
The Customer Service Advisor will ask for your account number and will confirm account details & password.
Difficulties using the account
Customer Services will be able to help should you experience any difficulties using the account. They will also provide you with a print-out of your calls if you suspect that someone else may be making calls from your phone. If, for any reason, you can't reach Customer Services, please contact your reception.
Calling with an LSE/Primus calling card
From your room phone key 83, you will then hear a voice prompt saying:
"Please enter your PIN number"
You should then enter your LSE/PRIMUS PIN number (shown under the silver scratch panel on the back of the card) and if the number is valid you will then be prompted to key the number you wish to call.
To key the number you must key the number in full including the area code (e.g. 020 for London numbers) - so to call a number in inner London the card holder would key 020 7XXX XXXX. For international calls, first key 00 followed by the country code and then the remainder of the number. (Please note that for many countries, you should leave out the leading digit - often 0 (zero) of the area code.)
Service features
The Pre-Paid service offers further features:
Follow on calls. If the cardholder needs to make another call they do not need to put the phone down and key the 83-access number again. You can just press the # button twice. You will then be prompted to key the next number.
Key ahead. The experienced user need not wait for each prompt to finish before keying the next set of numbers - you can just key ahead as soon as you hear the next prompt and the prompt will be over-ridden. Further time can be saved by keying # at the end of the PIN string and after the number being called. This saves the three second "timeout" period that the card system otherwise needs to identify when all the digits have been entered. Please note however, that Primus does not charge you for the time when the system is playing prompts, only for the time your calls are connected to your destination.
How to call LSE extensions
Simply key the four or five digit number shown on the School's web directory. These calls are free and do not require a calling card.
How to call students at other halls
When you know their extension number simply key the five-digit extension number from your phone. These calls are also free.
How to call the hall reception
Key 0 from your handset.
How do I make calls to emergency services from my phone?
Firstly, you should call 0 and report the incident to the Hall's reception. They will make arrangements to contact the emergency services as appropriate.
In the event that you cannot contact reception then you should call 9-999 from any internal phone and notify reception as soon as possible.
Faults with my phone or calling card
If you have a fault on your phone
Report the fault initially to your Hall's reception. Staff will be able to provide you with some simple checks or a spare handset to try and get your phone working again. If this does not solve the problem, your fault will be passed to LSE Telecoms who will endeavour to repair the fault within two working days.
If you have a fault with your LSE/PRIMUS calling card
To call the Primus Helpdesk then please key "849" from your room. If this does not work then please report the fault to Reception.
Why can't I key 0800 numbers?
LSE has to generate a small amount of telephone revenue in order to maintain the service. Free access to 0800 numbers is therefore not possible. If you need to call 0800 numbers you can do this from the payphones in any of the Halls or outside the School.
My friends and family are having difficulty keying the 0844 access number
Access to the 0844 number should be possible from all other countries, if you have difficulties please contact your telephone company. We recommend using the main national carrier of the country concerned (such as BT in the UK).
Accessing voicemail
How can I access my voicemail?
The first time you key into voicemail you will be prompted to change your user greeting and four digit Pin number. Initially your PIN number will be configured to be the same as your extension number and should be changed as soon as possible, otherwise other people will be able to retrieve your messages.
To change your PIN number select Option 'Four' from the main menu then Option 'One' from the Mailbox options menu. Your current PIN number will be played after which you will be prompted to enter a new one.
After initial set up, simply key 88 from your room phone and you will be prompted for your mailbox number and pin number and then guided through the menu options.
To access the voicemail service from outside the LSE phone system, key 020 7955 6880.
Full instructions are shown on the telecoms web site. Follow the "How to use voicemail" link.
How will I know when I have a voicemail message?
You will hear a high-pitched key tone on your phone when you lift the receiver.
Additional information
Can I use my LSE/PRIMUS calling card on other phones?
You can use your calling card on any LSE extension on the main campus or at the Halls by keying 83. There are LSE phones available in all LSE teaching rooms, corridors and public areas. In addition, if you want to use your calling card from a payphone any other UK phone outside the School or from a mobile, you can do so by keying a local London access number which is 020 7699 9705.
Where can I get further information?
Please see the links on our Student halls telecom| section.
Details of call rates can also be found at Student tariffs for LSE pre-paid card service|
How long is my card valid for?
Your LSE/Primus Calling Card expires 180 days from first use.
Can I get a refund if my card still has credits remaining when I leave the hall?
No refunds will be issued for remaining credits when a resident leaves the hall. However, you can continue to use the card from other phones as described above.
Other phone features
Transferring your phone to voicemail or another extension
If you do not want to be disturbed by calls, you can transfer your phone directly to voicemail by keying #9 88. This will mean that callers will be transferred to your mailbox without your phone ringing. If you want to cancel the divert you simply key ##9. You will know if your phone is transferred to voicemail, or another number, as you will hear a broken key tone when you lift the receiver.
You can also transfer a call to another extension in the Hall by keying #9 followed by the four digit extension number you wish to divert to. To cancel the transfer key ##9
Transferring a call
If you receive a call that you wish to transfer to another number, simply press the recall button on your phone (sometimes labelled R) and key the four digit extension number you want to transfer the call to. When the call is answered you can replace your handset.
Useful numbers
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Hall Reception
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0
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External call access
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83
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Transfer phone to voicemail
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#9 88
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Retrieve voicemail
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88
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Cancel transfer to voicemail
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##9
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Telecoms fault line
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2222 (Available 9-5, Mon - Fri)
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Primus Customer Services
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849 or (9,0800 036 2107)
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