How to Add BLF and Speed-Dial Keys

BLF (Busy Lamp Field) keys show whether a colleague’s extension is on a call and let you call or intercept that extension with one tap. Speed-dial keys are one-touch shortcuts to any phone number. Both are configured per phone in the EMAK Telecom phone portal — this guide walks through adding them to your desk phone.

Open Your Phone in the Portal

Sign in to the EMAK Telecom phone portal. From your dashboard, click Extensions:

Under Devices, click the phone assigned to your extension.

Add a BLF Key

1. Category: choose Line.
2. Key: start with 1, or pick the next free key number on your phone.
3. Type: from the drop-down, pick your phone model, then BLF.
4. Line: choose 1.
5. Value: enter the extension number you want to monitor.
6. Extension: enter ** if you want to be able to intercept calls ringing on this extension. Leave blank if you only want presence monitoring.
7. Label: enter the name to display on the phone screen (typically the colleague’s name).

Add a Speed-Dial Key

1. Category: choose Line.
2. Key: enter the next free key number (after your previous key).
3. Type: from the drop-down, pick your phone model, then Speed Dial.
4. Line: choose 1.
5. Value: enter the phone number to dial — internal extension or external number.
6. Extension: leave blank.
7. Label: enter a name to show on the phone screen.

Save your changes. The phone will pick up the new keys after its next configuration refresh — usually within a minute, or after a reboot.

BLF and Speed-Dial FAQ

What is the difference between a BLF key and a speed-dial key?

A BLF key shows the live status of another extension (idle, ringing, on a call) and lets you call or intercept it. A speed-dial key is a one-press shortcut to any phone number — it does not show status. Use BLF for colleagues you want to monitor; use speed-dial for outside numbers and one-touch shortcuts.

Why should I put ** in the Extension field for BLF?

The ** prefix tells the phone system that pressing the BLF key while a call is ringing on that extension should pick up the call. Without it, pressing the BLF only places a call to that extension.

The new key isn’t appearing on my phone — why?

Phones reload their configuration on a schedule (usually within a minute), or on reboot. If your changes have not appeared, reboot the phone from Menu > Settings > Reboot, or unplug and replug the phone. If they still do not appear, contact EMAK Telecom support.

Can I add more keys than my phone has buttons?

Most Yealink desk phones support multiple key pages — when you exceed the visible buttons, an arrow or “more” key appears for paging. For phones that need many BLF keys, an expansion module (sidecar) adds rows of additional keys. Contact EMAK Telecom support for sidecar recommendations.