How it works: The KHCONF service is a simple conference bridge application. You call into the system from the meeting location, and the homebound friends call into the system from home, using a preassigned PIN.
In the majority of the US, Generic Conferencing can provide a local phone number, so there is no charge to the friends who call in. In European countries, the number provided is a geographic number so that the cost to the friends is as low as possible.
The system provides the congregation with the ability to retrieve a count of the number of listeners, the ability to select a listen-only mode or commenting mode (if the sound system supports that) on a per caller basis, and on line reporting tools so you can keep track of who is calling in.
Support Options: Subscribing congregations are provided with an emergency hotline number to call if the conference service is not working. Questions or problem that are not related to an emergency or system down problem are handled via email.
Callers to the emergency hotline are prompted to leave a message, and this pages a technician who will attempt to respond immediately.
FAQ:
How many callers can be tied in at once? This is dependent on your location and the subscription options. In the US, Tier 1 Local Number customers can have up to 20 per congregation tied in. In Tier 2 areas, up to 10 listeners are included in the monthly cost. Additional listeners can be added for an additional charge. In the UK and Ireland, up to 8 listeners are included in the basic service, and for an additional charge that can be increased to 18 listeners.
How do we pay for the service? Invoices are e-mailed once service is setup. E-mail invoices are used to keep the cost of the service as low as possible. In the US, these invoices are sent monthly to new subscribers, and in the rest of the world the subscription is an annual subscription. Congregations may pay electronically or via check. More information is provided once the subscription is setup.
How can I find out if you have local numbers in my area? Choose your country in the "Order Service" box on the left. All US numbers are loaded into our system. In the UK and Ireland, please E-mail us at support@khconf.com. Include the address and phone number of your primary meeting place in your e-mails.
Some members of our congregation have to make a long distance call to reach the meeting location, does that make a difference? Yes, it does. There are several ways to handle this. In many instances we are able to provision two local numbers and tie both together, so that everyone can call a number that is local to them. Please email us at support@khconf.com with as much information as you can and we'll look at the situation and make a recommendation.
The website says you have no local numbers in my area of the US. When will that change? Generic Conferencing has no direct control over the coverage areas, we just work with suppliers who provide those services. We are constantly working to find additional suppliers to expand the local number coverage area. However, in the US, there are areas that are very expensive to serve. In these areas, the lowest cost option is a toll free number, charged at a 2 cents per minute per caller rate.
Can we just get an unlimited long distance package and use the local number service even though there is no local number in our area? Generally speaking, this is a bad idea. For more information about why, please click here.
How long does it take to setup new services? This depends on your location. It can be as few as two weeks, and as many as eight weeks.
What equipment do we need to buy? Most congregations already have the equipment that is needed. You simply need a device (like a Hanstech box) that connects your sound system to a phone line. We recommend you talk to your RBC Sound Department, or email us for a contact at a company that sells these devices.
Contacting KHConf:
By E-Mail: support@khconf.com
By Telephone: (214) 329-1847
Note: Due to the overwhelming response to this service, we are not able to return telephone inquiries. Please email support@khconf.com with any questions or inquiries.
By Mail: P.O. Box 687, Crowley, TX 76036 USA