Why did my voice mail stop working?

When voice mail is activated (from either an incoming call or *86), the call goes directly to a Verizon message "Welcome to Verizon Wireless. Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Announcement ??? 93-1. Please check the number and dial again." While I use an iPhone 5C it is my understanding voicemail is a carrier issue. I called Verizon Support and the Level 1 tech could not fix it after re-booting and resetting the network. While being transferred to a Level 2 tech, the call got dropped. I have not changed anything (phone, operating system, plans, etc. in the past 3 weeks. Any ideas or solutions?

Accepted answers

Ann154

The carrier's voicemail system is different from the voicemail system used on the iPhone.

From http://support.verizonwireless.com/support/how_to_use/iphone_new_customers.html

Important Information About Your Voice Mail

iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S require that you set up a new voice mailbox. This new mailbox, though connected to your account, will not transfer messages or greetings from your existing mailbox. Please ensure that you review and note any important information in your current voice mailbox.

Note: Once iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S is activated, you will no longer have access to your existing voice mailbox. All existing messages will be erased and cannot be recovered.

All comments

Ann154

The voicemail on the Apple iPhones are handled by the Apple servers not the carriers.

Mike2950

Numerous Apple discussion form posts emphatically state that voice mail is performed on the carrier's servers. This seems to make sense because they are handling the call. Do you have insider knowledge that Apple servers handle voicemail? This problem started 2-3 weeks ago again with no changes to the phone, settings, etc., Verizon plan, voicemail settings.

Ann154

The carrier's voicemail system is different from the voicemail system used on the iPhone.

From http://support.verizonwireless.com/support/how_to_use/iphone_new_customers.html

Important Information About Your Voice Mail

Note: Once iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S is activated, you will no longer have access to your existing voice mailbox. All existing messages will be erased and cannot be recovered.