Below is a test VXML of the same format we use for all our current outbound messages. The main message is repeated twice (in the case below, "If this message has been....")
Without the <break> element, some people think the pause between repetitions is inadequate (too short.) However, once the <break> element is inserted, the first reading of the message pauses 5 seconds at each "-" in the phone number! Then the pause occurs properly at the <break> element, then the second reading is perfectly normal (no extended pauses at the dashes.) Is this a bug? Is there a simple way around this?
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<vxml version="2.0">
<property name="voicename" value="lauren"/>
<property name="inputmodes" value="dtmf"/>
<form id="greeting">
<block>
<prompt>
This is a call from IVR Systems incorporated. More greeting text.
</prompt>
<goto next="#message"/>
</block>
</form>
<form id="message">
<block>
<prompt>
If this message has been sent in error, please contact IVR Systems at 866-866-8668.
<break time="5s" />
If this message has been sent in error, please contact IVR Systems at 866-866-8668.
</prompt>
</block>
</form>
</vxml>
Yes, we've been able to reproduce this IVR behavior that you are experiencing. You can alter your IVR code with the IVR tag, <break>, to get around this:
<?php
header("Content-type: text/xml");
echo("<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n");
?>
<vxml version="2.0">
<property name="voicename" value="lauren"/>
<property name="inputmodes" value="dtmf"/>
<form id="greeting">
<block>
<prompt>
This is a call from IVR Systems incorporated. More greeting text.
</prompt>
<goto next="#message"/>
</block>
</form>
<form id="message">
<block>
<prompt>
If this message has been sent in error, please contact IVR Systems at 866-866-8668.
</prompt>
<prompt>
<break time="5s" />
If this message has been sent in error, please contact IVR Systems at 866-866-8668.
</prompt>
</block>
</form>
</vxml>