The present invention allows a user to establish a customized call waiting
rule set to control whether call waiting alerts and associated caller
identification information are provided to the user in association with
an incoming call. Based on the call waiting rule set, the call waiting
alert may be blocked or provided to the user when an incoming call for
the user is detected. The decision to provide the call waiting alert may
be based on the calling party, the type of call, the party with whom the
user is engaged in an active call, whether the user previously called or
received a call from the calling party, the relative priority or urgency
of the incoming call, or a combination thereof.