Join us at GITEX Global - Dubai, Oct. 13-17

Home » Archive by category 'Business Phone Numbers'

How to Choose the Best Phone Integration for Zoho CRM

how to choose best phone integration for Zoho CRM

You rely on calls as a salesperson to communicate with potential clients. But without proper tracking, digilent follow-ups and successful outcomes can be tedious. Disorganized call logs might result in …Read More »

Global Call Forwarding Returns to GITEX to Showcase Smarter Global Voice Solutions for Tech Teams

Gitex press release

DELRAY BEACH, FL, Sept 2025 – Global Call Forwarding, a leading global provider of enterprise-grade virtual phone numbers and cloud communication solutions, will return to GITEX Global 2025 to exhibit …Read More »

Why Cloud Telephony is Essential for Scaling Tech Startups

Cloud Telephony for Scaling Tech Startups

Over 150 million startups operate globally, with approximately 50 million new businesses entering the market each year, highlighting the exceptional growth of the global tech startup ecosystem. For tech startups, …Read More »

What to Look for in a Helpdesk Software (Guide)?

What to look for in a Helpdesk Software guide

Imagine a customer reaching out with an issue—and without any manual intervention, your helpdesk software assigns the ticket to the right agent, sends an acknowledgment, and arms your support team …Read More »

6 Ways to Use the GCF Softphone in the HubSpot CRM

How to use the GCF Softphone with our Hubspot Calling Integration

The Global Call Forwarding HubSpot integration gives your sales and support teams the tools they need to communicate effectively — right from within your CRM. With features like click-to-call, automatic …Read More »

France Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

France phone number guide.

A France phone number is a cost-effective way of growing in or entering the thriving French market. You can build and foster relationships with current and potential clients. Plus, receive …Read More »

France Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

A France phone number is a cost-effective way of growing in or entering the thriving French market.

You can build and foster relationships with current and potential clients. Plus, receive calls from these clients on multiple phone lines—VoIP, mobile, and landline.

And with a cloud-based phone system, you can scale your telephony system based on your business needs.

In our France phone number guide, learn about French virtual numbers, different number types, and formats.

Let’s see how using a local phone number helps boost business.

Guide to Phone Numbers in France

Obtaining a France phone number can help in creating a local presence and connecting with French clients.

One of the biggest advantages is that customers can call you at affordable local rates or even for free, depending on the number type you choose to use. Our France phone number guide will help you make the choice.

Businesses with familiar local codes gain trust, leading to increased support and engagement. Further, you can amplify brand visibility and customer recall with local numbers.

If you are thinking about purchasing a French number, read our article on how to get a business number in France.

France Phone Number Plan

The Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) is the authority overseeing and managing France’s telecom sector. They take care of the country’s phone numbering system, making sure rules and standards are followed.

Telecom operators in France provide a plethora of offerings, from voice calls to data services, useful for businesses and service providers.

You can also explore virtual phone services that come with comprehensive features, such as call routing, call recording, and call forwarding, suitable for all business types.

In fact, Global Call Forwarding offers many of these features and more with our France virtual numbers.

Different Types of France Phone Numbers

The country code for France is ‘+33.’ All France phone numbers have 10 digits:

  • starting with the trunk prefix ‘0,’
  • followed by the area or toll-free code,
  • and a 7-8-digit-long subscriber number.

A standard France phone number looks like this: +33 0x xx-xx-xx-xx.

A strategic use of different number types can facilitate communication and help meet customer expectations in the French market and network with local clients.

Let’s understand these number types.

1. France Toll-Free Numbers

France toll-free numbers are a valuable conduit for French callers to reach your business free of cost. They appear as local toll-free numbers used in France with ‘0800’ and ‘0805’ prefixes.

Because these numbers work virtually, you can operate your business in the country from anywhere in the world and simply forward incoming calls to where your teams are located.

The standard France toll-free number format is +33 (0800) (xxx-xxx).

There are many perks to using a toll-free number:

  • Encourage interactions between global businesses and French consumers
  • Support real-time engagement
  • Enable you to test the market without physically being there.

Many service providers offer features like IVR, call recording, and geographic routing with their virtual toll-free numbers. This makes the toll-free numbers extra functional.

2. France Local or Geographic Numbers

Geographic numbers are region-specific and accessible at standard local calling rates.

If your business has a target audience in a specific French region, then having a local number allows you to tailor communication strategies and services to that area.

France is geographically divided into five main regions: Paris, North-West, North-East, South-East, and South-West.

Most providers include local numbers for major French cities and regions like:

  • Lyon (487)
  • Marseille (484)
  • Nice (422)
  • Paris (187)
  • Toulouse (532), and so on.

The standard France local number format is +33 01 xx-xx-xx-xx.
*The area code for Paris is 1.

Global Call Forwarding also offers France geographic and national numbers with Local 2-Way Voice. Use these numbers and display local, in-country caller IDs to place outbound calls to your customers in France and increase response and callback rates.

3. France National Numbers

National or non-geographic numbers are linked to an entire country instead of specific regions. So you can use these numbers to establish a presence beyond particular French cities.

Calls made to national numbers typically incur local calling rates, making them cost-effective for your callers.

A France national phone number starts with the prefix ‘9’ followed by an 8-digit subscriber number.

The standard France national number format is +33 09 71 xx-xx-xx.

Global Call Forwarding offers France national numbers with the ‘97’ prefix.

Related: Geographic Versus Non-Geographic Numbers

4. France Mobile Numbers

Mobile phones are ubiquitous, and therefore, you can reach a broader audience with mobile numbers.

France mobile numbers start with prefixes ‘6’ or ‘7’ (mobile services code) followed by the 8-digit unique subscriber number.

The standard France mobile number format is +33 6 xx-xx-xx-xx.

Get a France Phone Number with Global Call Forwarding

Use our France phone number guide to take your business to new heights and establish yourself globally. Get a French number and make your business a cross-border success!

We can help you choose the right type of number to operate in France.

With early French roots, Global Call Forwarding has been a pioneer in the telecom industry since 1996, and we offer dynamic telecom solutions to transform business communications throughout France.

02 Numbers – the Gold Standard for Bangkok Businesses

A few years ago, at iFX Expo Asia, I had several conversations with sales and support leaders from Hong Kong and Malaysia-based forex companies.

They were curious about Bangkok 02 numbers and whether we, at Global Call Forwarding, offered these numbers. They noted that prospects and customers within Thailand demonstrate a higher receptiveness to calls from 02 numbers.

That conversation highlighted what many companies in Thailand and Southeast Asia already understand. An 02 phone number is a business asset rather than merely a contact number. People see 02 fixed-line numbers as more reliable and professional than mobile numbers.

From finance and insurance to travel and hospitality, companies in Thailand’s capital rely on 02 numbers to establish a local presence and drive response rates—often regarding 02 numbers as the “Gold Standard for Bangkok’s Business.”

In this article, we’ll look at:

What is an 02 Number?

02 is the official landline area code for Bangkok. An 02 number is a local Thailand phone number used by businesses and residents in the country’s capital.

As the country’s business epicenter, Bangkok—a megacity and primate city—dominates the economy, overshadowing other cities in size and financial contribution.

Businesses with an 02 number convey a physical and credible presence in the heart of Thailand’s business ecosystem.

Format of 02 Bangkok Number: 02-xxx-xxxx

  • 02 is the area code for Bangkok.
  • XXX-XXXX is the 7-digit subscriber number unique to each business or individual.

Who Uses 02 Numbers?

Across Bangkok, 02 numbers are prominently displayed in ads, used as sales hotlines, and listed for emergency support. Industries, including travel, banking, insurance, and government, use 02 Bangkok numbers to establish credibility and trust. Examples include:

Thailand companies that use 02 phone numbers

An 02 number from Bangkok shows an organization’s authenticity and reach in Thailand’s most competitive and well-known market. People generally associate numbers starting with 08 or 09 with small businesses. However, they do not offer the same level of credibility as a local 02 number.

Why Should Your Business Use a Local Bangkok Phone Number (02)

Expanding into Thailand’s business environment requires a local presence. A local Bangkok number with the 02 area code allows your company to connect with customers and partners without the need for a physical office in Thailand.

Here’s why a virtual Bangkok (02) number is a smart and strategic choice for your business:

  • Shows Professional Image
    A virtual Bangkok local number allows your business to operate in the heart of Thailand’s capital, without actually being present there. The number gives you a local identity, helping increase business visibility and build trust with Thai customers and businesses who prefer dealing with local contacts.
  • Offers a Cost-Effective Market Entry
    Setting up a local office in Bangkok can be costly and time-consuming. A virtual number allows your business to enter the Thai market without upfront investment in office infrastructure. You can begin operations immediately, test market potential, and expand based on results.
  • Meet Thai Business and Regulatory Expectations
    Many Thai government institutions ask for a local phone number when businesses register. A virtual Bangkok number meets this requirement, enabling you to fulfill official expectations and establish a legitimate presence in the region.
  • Drive Better Results in Marketing Performance
    Using a Bangkok (02) number in sales and marketing campaigns boosts local trust, increases call response rates, and improves conversions. It helps your business appear locally accessible, improves ad ROI, and allows tracking of campaign performance.
  • Access Features for Smart Call Management
    Unlike traditional landlines, virtual Bangkok numbers offer access to cloud-based features, including call transcription, translation, IVR, time-of-day routing, call recording, etc. These features help optimize communications and ensure seamless customer support.

Evolving Telephony Capabilities in Thailand

Global Call Forwarding has significantly improved its capabilities in Thailand, offering a more reliable solution for businesses seeking to establish a presence in Bangkok. Previously our capabilities for Thailand coverage were limited: we lacked local termination in Thailand and so could provide 02 numbers for incoming calls only.

Additionally, Southeast Asia was changing compliance rules that mandated businesses to ensure caller ID met specific standards when using international routes.

With our Local 2-Way Voice solution, we have now established local, in-country calling routes. This allows us to route calls through local networks, ensuring low latency and high-quality voice. Our customers can reliably make outbound calls with a guaranteed +66 (0) 2 caller ID.

We’ve expanded this coverage to include other Thai area codes, such as 052 for Chiang Mai.

Your First Step to Building Trust in Thailand and Southeast Asia

Regardless of the scale or scope of your business goals in Thailand, an 02 number is important for establishing a trustworthy and professional brand image.

A Bangkok (02) number can help startups and entrepreneurs establish a credible local presence. It supports business legitimacy, enhances customer trust, and allows you to appear professionally rooted in Thailand.

For larger organizations or global brands planning to build a regional hub in Southeast Asia or expand in-country operations in Thailand, 02 numbers play an even more strategic role. These numbers make it easier to build local relationships and increase brand trust.

By using local caller IDs, your business can communicate more effectively with clients, partners, and suppliers.

We’ve had an APAC Regional Office in Bangkok since 2016, offering dedicated support, onboarding, and localized service. We have a deep understanding of the complex telecom landscape in Southeast Asia.

Contact us now to learn more or get your local Bangkok phone number today!

How to Add Global Coverage to Your Business Phone System

Today’s most competitive businesses aren’t just thinking local — they’re building for global. From APAC to the Middle East and Africa, the opportunity to scale customer support and sales reach across borders has never been greater. Advanced technology makes it easier than ever to expand your business internationally without increasing overhead costs. And with the rise in cost-effective telecom solutions, businesses are able to enter markets where numbers and phone services are generally harder to get.

But international expansion comes with communication challenges that traditional phone providers often aren’t equipped to solve.

That’s where global telephony providers like Global Call Forwarding come into the picture. We can help you add global coverage to your business phone system with international phone numbers and advanced call features. See how you can extend coverage into niche and hard-to-reach regions — without requiring a complete system overhaul with us.

Building a Global Communication System

Global telephony providers offer cloud communication solutions such as voice, messaging, phone numbers, and call management tools. And since these services work over the internet, businesses can use them to communicate with customers in different countries and regions worldwide.

In most cases, your business does not even need to open a new office or physical location in these countries. You simply forward calls internationally or communicate via web apps.

So, how do you add global voice coverage to your business phone system without dramatically increasing overhead costs?

  1. Purchase international phone numbers for target countries.
  2. Work closely with your phone service provider to manage phone service in hard-to-reach countries.
  3. Set up international call forwarding to have incoming calls routed to the right department and office anywhere in the world.
  4. Use outbound calling with caller ID management when making outgoing calls to customers in target countries.

This image shows a phone system with global voice coverage.

Increasing Global Phone Coverage with Global Call Forwarding

While many providers limit their phone number availability to North America and Western Europe, the most dynamic growth is often happening elsewhere — in regions like Latin America, APAC, and Africa. These regions present unique barriers: regulatory complexity, limited Tier 1 carrier access, and stricter documentation requirements.

So, how can your business get around this problem? Work with a global telephony provider that offers high-quality voice service and extensive network of local telecom partners.

Having been in telecom for more than 29 years, Global Call Forwarding has long-term relationships with trusted Tier 1 Carriers worldwide. This allows us to provide our customers with one of the widest offerings available on the market.

New players in this space do not specialize in this area of the telecom industry. So, the numbers they provide may be more limited, come with stricter documentation requirements, or take longer to activate.

Due to our positive reputation in the industry and the trusted relationships built with our providers, we offer our customers phone numbers with fewer documentation requirements than other providers and at competitive rates. And we provide added flexibility with our month-to-month billing and no long-term commitments – which our customers prefer over the strict contracts required by many telecom providers.

Using Our Service with Other Providers

Since some global phone providers have limited coverage and require stricter documentation for most originations, they may be harder to work with. But that does not mean you need to find a new phone service if your communication system is already built with other providers.

You can simply integrate our services and hard-to-reach international numbers with other providers like Zoom Phone, Amazon Connect, Genesys, Webex, MS Teams, and so on. Our team of global communication experts can help you identify and set up the right solutions.

Global Call Forwarding (run by United World Telecom) has an extensive inventory of phone numbers from over 160 countries around the world. And we can provide phone service in hard-to-reach countries as well. So, your business can use our service to add global voice coverage to your existing phone system reliably.

Unlike many global UCaaS providers, our network includes regional relationships and regulatory expertise in:

  • Latin America: Countries like Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia
  • Middle East & Africa (MEA): UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya
  • Asia-Pacific (APAC): Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, India

View the available countries we offer service for on our Country Coverage page.

Many competitors don’t support these markets — or only offer limited inbound service.

Global Call Forwarding gives you access to toll-free and local numbers with fewer documentation requirements, faster activation, and high-quality call delivery. All backed by long-standing relationships with trusted in-country providers and Tier 1 carriers.

Adding Global Coverage with Global Call Forwarding

Already using a cloud communications or PBX platform like Zoom Phone, MS Teams, Amazon Connect, or Genesys? You don’t need to rip and replace your entire setup.

Global Call Forwarding makes it easy to layer on global coverage using two flexible methods:

1. Add Global Coverage with BYOC

BYOC solutions let you forward calls directly to SIP. This is the best option for businesses that want to add numbers to an existing PBX system and/or have limited minutes. You can simply buy numbers from us and forward calls to your PBX. Here’s how:

  1. Buy international phone numbers from Global Call Forwarding and activate your service.
  2. Contact your PBX or phone service provider.
  3. Give your PBX or phone service provider the list of phone numbers and our list of IP addresses. They must whitelist these so you can receive calls.
  4. Your PBX provider will then create a special SIP domain for each number
  5. Add this SIP domain in your control panel under Forward all calls to, so we can forward calls to the right domains.

This way, we’ll route calls directly to your PBX via SIP and your business can use your own infrastructure while leveraging our global reach.

forward to your number

2. Add Global Coverage by Forwarding Directly to Your Existing Number

Need a simpler option? You can purchase global phone numbers from Global Call Forwarding and forward calls to an existing local number or call center line. No SIP integration or whitelisting required.

This is the best option if you have an unmetered plan with your local phone number provider. And you avoid the hassle of dealing with SIP domains and whitelisting IP addresses. You can do this on our Pricing page.

Integrate with the Tools You Already Use

Whether you’re using a contact center platform, CRM, helpdesk, or voice AI tool, our services are designed to integrate seamlessly.

  • CRMs: Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot, Pipedrive
  • Help Desk Software: Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom
  • Voice platforms: Genesys, Amazon Connect, MS Teams, Zoom Phone

This lets your team deliver more personalized, responsive customer interactions — no matter where your customers are.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

Most global phone service providers offer international phone numbers and various cloud communication features. But, they may come with limitations that can impede your business’ global expansion plans:

Limited global coverage
Worldwide coverage is typically limited to just Western Europe and the Americas. This means that providers may not have a strong presence in the Middle East, Latin America, or Africa. So, if you have customers in these regions or want to expand, you will need an additional phone service provider.

For instance: Zoom Phone offers phone numbers in 45 countries and toll-free service in only 29 countries (of which some are inbound-only). You can get around this with a Zoom Phone BYOC solution.

Amazon Connect offers phone numbers and inbound calling from about 80 countries, DID and toll-free numbers in nearly 20 countries, and outbound calling for 200 countries.

Stricter documentation
Additionally, new players in the telecom space may require stricter documentation for most originations. This could be a result of short-term experience, smaller networks, different business models, and so on. But it can add more roadblocks to your international expansion plans.

Note: Information mentioned in this article is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to changes.

Why Choose Global Call Forwarding as Your Global Phone Service Provider?

While there are countless global inbound phone services available, you need one that works best for your business communication needs. Global Call Forwarding has helped thousands of companies expand globally — from high-growth startups to multinational enterprises.

  • Coverage in 160+ countries (including hard-to-reach regions)
  • Local, national, and toll-free numbers available
  • Advanced routing features and real-time analytics
  • Flexible month-to-month pricing
  • Support for BYOC and SIP delivery
  • Dedicated account managers and 24/7 technical support

Ready to add global voice coverage to your phone system? Call us at +1 (561) 908-6171 or chat with our experts online!

What is International Local Presence?

Local presence is one of the most powerful features of our cloud-phone service.

With local presence dialing, agents can connect with between 4-10x more prospects by showing a local number as their caller ID.

Most telephony providers only offer local presence dialing for domestic phone numbers, but we can help your sales and support teams establish a local presence internationally.

How International Local Presence Works

Global Call Forwarding provides local and toll-free numbers from most countries in the world.

These numbers can be used to receive incoming calls and also to make outbound calls with a dedicated caller ID. This means that customers can show a local caller ID for outbound calls that corresponds to the destination they’re calling.

International Local Presence Example

Say, agents are dialing prospects in London. They can show a +44 204 phone number. Or, if they’re calling customers in New York City, they can show a +1 646 phone number. They can do so, no matter their location — India, Australia, Canada, USA, etc.

When to Use Local Presence

Local presence dialing has many potential use cases. Here are some of the times when local presence dialing proves most effective:

The benefits of international local presence dialing.

Benefits of International Local Presence

Cold calling is tough business. With spammers and robocallers on the rise, prospects are less likely than ever to answer cold calls. This is why local presence dialing exists.

Improve Connection Rates

Establishing a local presence is especially important when making international calls. Prospects are far less likely to answer calls from other countries:

The stats above prove that businesses will increase the return on their outbound calling efforts by using local presence dialing. When more people pick up, time spent dialing becomes more profitable, as agents are more likely to have productive conversations.

Route Calls Back to the Right Rep

It’s common knowledge that many inside sales calls go unanswered. This leaves the called party with a missed call notification or a voicemail, along with the number that called them.

International local presence dialing enables agents to show their own local numbers as the caller ID. This means that if the called party returns the call, it will be routed back to the agent that called them.

Types of Local Presence

You can use different types of local presence dialing with Global Call Forwarding:

Call Masking with an International Phone Number

While number masking might have a negative connotation, it is a powerful tool used by businesses around the world. Call masking refers to the technique of “masking” or showing your business phone number for outbound calling.

It helps you keep your actual number private and lets you show a dedicated business phone number instead. You can also use number masking to call internationally with a local phone number.

Using Privately-Owned Numbers

Some companies already have phone numbers that they want to make calls with.

They might already have contracts with existing carriers, but want to use our international voice service to call globally. In most cases, this provides major cost-savings for international calling, in addition to better call quality and stability.

If customers can prove ownership of these phone numbers, we allow them to use these numbers as their Caller ID.

Get Calling With Local Numbers

We would love to help you get started with local presence dialing. Sign up for a local phone number today and start making calls anywhere in the world.

Expand Your Global Voice Coverage with Hard-to-Get Phone Numbers

Part of growing your business means expanding to regions beyond your country. This can come with its own challenges — restricted access, strict investment laws, unreliable phone service, and more.

But with Global Call Forwarding as your business phone provider, you can bypass those challenges and easily enter new markets. Start building your global network of customers, suppliers, and vendors simply by using international virtual numbers.

Voice Coverage Still Matters in Emerging Markets

There’s significant potential in emerging markets — specifically, in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and Next Eleven (N-11) countries (South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam). These regions are experiencing a wave of economic transformation, supported by demographic shifts, improved mobile infrastructure, and digital advancements.

Phone calls are still a vital and secure means of communication for businesses in these rapidly expanding regions, especially across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In many of these regions, internet access is limited, unstable, or costly; especially in rural areas, making video calls impractical. Voice networks, on the other hand, are more reliable and widely available, providing immediate communication without requiring a lot of bandwidth.

In markets where digital trust is still growing, a simple phone call can be the key to building credibility and closing deals—important for high-priority conversations in sales, support, finance and healthcare.

However, a significant challenge still exists—many global service providers struggle to offer reliable, high-quality voice connectivity in these regions. This gap in coverage and quality can severely hinder businesses looking to tap into these vibrant markets.

Additionally, some countries aren’t well-established or politically stable. As a result, reliable phone service and global connectivity are hard to come by. This may make it even harder to connect with potential customers or provide necessary services in these regions.

All of this, coupled with a limited-coverage telecom company as your provider, might lead you to miss out on global business opportunities.

Global Call Forwarding Goes Where Others Don’t

Most providers only offer coverage in the USA and Canada. While other services only cover major English-speaking countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. They fail to provide uninterrupted global voice coverage in other parts of the world, namely Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.

map country coverage

As a global IP network owner, Global Call Forwarding can directly connect you to 160+ countries across the world. And our global coverage is not limited to just the US and UK or only English-speaking countries.

We provide reliable voice coverage in over 160 countries, covering more than 90% of the global economy. You can get international phone numbers—local, toll-free, Local 2-Way Voice, national, etc.—in these countries to establish a local virtual presence and use advanced features for all your global telephony needs. This enables you to build trust, improve call pickup rates, and offer 24/7 support across time zones.

We even offer communication solutions and can help you manage global voice coverage in hard-to-reach areas, such as Latin America, the Middle East & Africa (MEA), APAC region, the European Union (EU), remote island territories, and developing economies. Our FlexDial solution works as a regional trigger to make it easy for local customers to contact your business, wherever it is located.

Simply integrate our service with your current phone system, and you’re good to go!

Integrate Global Voice with Your Existing Communication Stack

Whether you’re using a legacy phone system or a modern cloud-based solution, our platform is built for flexibility. You can easily add international phone numbers from Global Call Forwarding to your existing business systems and applications such as CRMs or help desk software like Zoho, Salesforce, HubSpot, Intercom, etc. Similarly, through Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) and SIP forwarding, you can connect our reliable global voice network to your preferred PBX system or UCaaS or CCaaS provider like Microsoft Teams, Zoom Phone, etc., maintaining full control of your setup while expanding coverage.

To know more, check out our Integrations and BYOC solutions.

By integrating with us, your business can access a wide range advanced features:

  • Call Forwarding: Effortlessly forward incoming calls worldwide to any landline, mobile, PBX, or SIP address, with the flexibility to update your destination numbers anytime.
  • Advanced Call Routing: Direct calls based on custom preset rules to cover different time zones, locations, departments, or agent shifts.
  • IVR and Auto-Attendant: Design custom call flows for your different phone lines to route callers efficiently through your global phone system.
  • Failover Routing: Maintain business continuity and ensure uninterrupted communication in case of network issues or other crises.
  • AI Call Insights: Analyze call traffic and improve customer interactions through transcripts, summaries, sentiment analysis, and keyword search for efficient call monitoring.
  • Local Caller ID: Make and receive calls using local phone numbers across over 160 countries and increase call answer rates by displaying a local caller ID.

Together, these benefits give you an important competitive edge in emerging areas, increase customer satisfaction, and improve your international operations.

Get Global Phone Solutions Today!

Don’t wait to take your business to the next level. Partner with Global Call Forwarding and gain access to a reliable international voice platform that scales with your business. Whether you are entering to a new market or quickly growing across many continents, our global phone solutions are made to be scalable and grow with your company.

Speak with our telecom experts today! We’re here to help you identify the right communication solution that will meet your needs and budget. To start your international expansion adventure, call us at (561) 908-6171 or chat with us online.

7 Reasons to Get an International 800 Number

An international 800 number can help your business gain more credibility, improve customer satisfaction, and boost overall sales. This article features 7 reasons why you should get international toll free numbers for your business. Read on to learn more.

What Are the Benefits of Getting an International 800 Number?

International 800 numbers — also known as international toll free numbers or ITFNs — are toll free numbers assigned to different countries. Calls made to these numbers are forwarded to representatives in different countries or locations for answering.

Residents and contacts within those countries can call the number for free. While incoming calls to the recipient (your business) are forwarded to your country or another location as desired. Say your UK business has an Australia international 800 number. Australian residents can call this number for free and calls are then automatically routed to your office in the UK.

international 800 numbers

So, how can 800 numbers benefit your business? Here is a look at the top advantages.

1. Offer Customers a Free Calling Option

With an international 800 number, your international customers and contacts have the option to call your business for free. Being given easy access to connect with a business greatly increases the chances of customer engagement. Whether it is to inquire about a new product, plan a partnership, or receive customer support, individuals will hesitate less when calling a business with a toll free number.

2. Improve Your Company’s Professional Image

800 toll free numbers have a reputation. For years, small businesses and large corporations have used these business numbers to make customer calling simple. Toll free numbers are associated with large and established corporations that care for their customers. And so, getting an 800 number improves your professional image as a business that’s established and customer-focused.

3. Acquire More Credibility

Not only do 800 numbers increase customer engagement, but they also make your business seem more trustworthy and credible. A toll free number makes you more accessible and easily reachable. Customers can rest assured that when they need your business, they can connect with you quickly and without obstacles. This increases credibility and gives your customers confidence in your abilities to meet their needs.

4. Easy Mobility

ITFNs make it possible for you to move anywhere within the country or the world without changing your number. You can have incoming calls forwarded to any number, line, or VoIP phone of your choice. And so, even if you decide to move to a new location, simply change the forwarding specifics and keep your numbers.

5. Gain Local Presence in Different Countries

ITFNs enable you to advertise locally in different countries across the globe. You can, therefore, develop connections with local customers, advertisers, vendors, and other business contacts by creating and maintaining a local presence.

6. Improve International Sales

By advertising locally and entering your business in local directories and other platforms for locations you are trying to expand into, you can increase brand visibility and awareness. Both of these are important when it comes to increasing international sales. Having an 800 number indicates to customers that your business is positioned to do business, offer a service, and it demonstrates your business is local to their area.

7. Offer Global Customer Service

Finally, you can offer global customer service by staying connected and reachable. Good and quick customer service leads to high customer satisfaction rates. And this is the best way to maintain and retain valuable customers, as customers need to know you are available to support their issues and concerns.

Ready to Purchase an 800 Number?

To get international 800 numbers, simply sign up on our website by choosing the country you want to target or offer customer service to. You can add additional numbers later once your service is activated. Furthermore, having an international 800 number is an ideal way to strategically offer communications and customer service. Purchase one today to ensure your international expansion connects with customers in the most efficient, effective ways possible.

NANP: The North American Numbering Plan Explained

Need to get a phone number within the NANP plan but don’t know anything about the plan? Here is everything you need to know about the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), dialing codes, phone number formats, and more.

What is the North American Numbering Plan (NANP)?

The North American Numbering Plan — also known as the NANP — is a telephone numbering plan that serves 20 North American countries (listed below). The NANP region mainly covers the US and its territories, Canada, and some Caribbean countries.

The participating countries share numbering resources among themselves. The NANP was developed in 1947 by AT&T and implemented in 1951. The purpose was to simplify and facilitate easy direct international calling.

Format of NANP Phone Numbers

NANP phone numbers are assigned the country code (1) by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). NANP numbers are ten-digits long. This includes a three-digit Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code — an area code followed by a seven-digit local number or subscriber number. The format is usually represented as: +1 NXX-NXX-XXXX.

Which Countries are Included in the NANP?

  • Anguilla: 264
  • Antigua & Barbuda: 268
  • Bahamas (the): 242
  • Barbados: 246
  • Bermuda: 441
  • British Virgin Islands (the): 284
  • Canada: multiple local area codes
  • Cayman Islands (the): 345
  • Dominica: 767
  • Dominican Republic (the): 809/829/849
  • Grenada: 473
  • Jamaica: 876/658
  • Montserrat: 664
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis: 869
  • Saint Lucia: 758
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 784
  • Sint Maarten: 721
  • Trinidad and Tobago: 868
  • Turks & Caicos: 649
  • United States of America: multiple local area codes
  • US Territories:
  • American Samoa: 684
  • Guam: 671
  • Northern Mariana Islands: 670
  • Puerto Rico: 787/939
  • US Virgin Islands: 340

Additional Facts about the North American Numbering Plan

Dialing between two NANP countries is quick and easy. Users simply dial the country dialing code, followed by the NPA area code, and a 7-digit local number. For example, when calling from the US to Barbados, users will dial +1 (246) xxx-xxxx.

Even though all numbers within the NANP share the same numbering plan and resources, calls made between NANP countries are not considered domestic calls. They are considered international calls and are charged international or long-distance calling rates. Fortunately, these rates are not much higher than domestic rates.

To call a NANP country from outside the NAN plan, users need to dial their exit codes, trunk prefix (1), and the national subscriber number (NSN). The format is:
(exit code) 1 (area code) xxx-xxxx.

For example, someone calling a Canada number from France would dial the exit code (00), trunk prefix (1), Jamaica’s area code (876), and the subscriber number (xxx-xxxx):
00 1 876 xxx-xxxx.

Learn More About NANP

You can learn more about the North American Numbering Plans by visiting our homepage. We provide international phone numbers from countries participating within the North American Numbering Plan. Find your new NANP phone number or buy a USA phone number by browsing through our website or receive assistance by contacting our sales team.

Understanding the Different Types of Telephone Numbers in Russia

Want to learn more about the different types of Russian phone numbers available? In this post, we detail the different Russian phone number types and uses.

Different Types of Telephone Numbers in Russia

Russia has a variety of phone number types with different purposes that range from free calling to mobile to emergency special numbers. The country dialing code for Russia is (+7) and the trunk prefix is (8).

If you plan to do business in Russia, then understanding the difference between numbers types proves necessary. Russia uses an open dialing plan with four levels for local, zone, country, and international.

Russian phone numbers are administered by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. They are under a unified numbering plan with Kazakhstan.

Let’s look at the different types of phone numbers, their format, and how to get a Russian telephone number.

1. Russian Local Numbers

Russian local numbers or geographic Russian numbers are phone numbers most commonly used by local businesses and residents. Individuals using these numbers incur local calling charges. Local numbers have a distinct area code for the region they are assigned to. For example, you can get local Russian numbers for the following major Russian cities with these area codes:

  • Moscow (495)
  • Omsk (3812)
  • Saratov (8452)
  • St Petersburg (812)

The format for Russian geographic numbers is: 8 (area code) xxx-xx-xx

As a business, you can get a Russian local number from a virtual provider even if you are not located in Russia. You can have incoming calls routed to your office, situated anywhere in the world. Locals call a local number which then gets forwarded internationally to you. This gives local Russians an inexpensive way to connect with your business, even if it is overseas.

russia toll-free numbers

2. Russian Toll Free Numbers

Toll free Russian numbers work like any toll free number: they are free for Russian locals to call. The toll free prefix used is (800). This means that businesses, customers, leads, vendors, etc., can call your business from within Russia for free. Again, virtual providers will give you the opportunity to use a toll free Russia phone number from outside the country. Therefore, if you want to expand your business to this country but don’t want to move there, you can still offer sales and customer support through toll free numbers.

The format for toll free Russian numbers is: 8 (800) xxx-xx-xx

3. Russian Mobile Numbers

Russian mobile numbers starting with prefixes (939) or (958) are mobile numbers with SMS capabilities. That means that these numbers can receive instant messages. Using mobile numbers can help your business offer SMS as an alternative to phone calls, increasing accessibility.

The format for Russian mobile numbers is: 8 (939) xxx-xx-xx

4. Russian Special Numbers

Russian special numbers are emergency numbers for local Russian residents, such as:

  • 101 – Fire brigade
  • 102 – Police
  • 103 – Ambulance
  • 104 – Gas service
  • 112 – General emergency
  • 107 – Directory assistance, Rostelecom
  • 109 – Directory assistance (free, limited info)
  • 009 – Directory assistance in Moscow
  • 100 – Talking clock in Moscow
  • 115 – Info on electronic government services

How to Get a Russian Phone Number

To get a Russian telephone number, simply sign up on our homepage. We offer Russian virtual numbers, toll free numbers, and mobile numbers. You can also get a universal toll free number (UIFN) that includes Russia, among other countries. To sign up or learn more, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 or chat with our global experts online today!

The Chinese Telephone Code Plan Explained

Want to learn more about the Chinese telephone code plan? Find out which Chinese phone number type is the best fit for your business. Also, we outline common China VoIP issues and what telecom companies are doing to provide better virtual communication in the country.

Understanding the Chinese Telephone Code Plan

Chinese phone numbers are organized and assigned by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. According to their plan, there are different formats for landlines, mobile numbers, and toll free numbers. The Chinese country code is (+86).

We will delve into the finer details of the Chinese telephone code plan so you can find the right business phone number for your company.

1. Chinese Local Numbers

In major Chinese cities, landlines or local numbers have a 2-digit area code followed by an 8-digit subscriber number. Some cities have a 3-digit area code with a 7- or 8-digit subscriber number. When a local landline number is called from another number within the same area, the area code does not need to be dialed. Local Chinese numbers with area codes include:

    • Beijing (10)
    • Guangzhou (20)
    • Tianjin (22)
    • Shanghai (21)
    • Zhengzhou (371)
    • Xiantao, Tianmen, Qianjiang (728)

The format for Chinese local numbers is:
(area code) + xxxx-xxxx

As a business, in or outside of the telecom industry in China, having a local number lets local customers call you by paying regular local calling charges. And so, even if your business is not located in the country, customers do not have to pay high international calling charges to get support.

china virtual numbers

2. Chinese Toll Free Numbers

China toll free numbers are business numbers that give local Chinese callers a free calling option. This is because toll free service providers charge the business using the toll free number instead of the caller. By doing so, you give interested and potential customers a way to contact your business for free.

An international business located outside of China can use these numbers to gain more Chinese customers or build local networks. Incoming calls can be forwarded to your office, wherever it is located.

The format for Chinese toll free numbers is:
(010) + (800) + xxx-xxxx

3. Chinese 400 Numbers

China 400 numbers are also a part of the Chinese telephone code plan. As their name indicates, 400 numbers start with the prefix (400). These numbers are reachable from anywhere in the country, making them a good business phone number option.

The format for Chinese national numbers is:
(400) + xxx-xxxx

4. Chinese International Codes

China has four international call prefixes that residents, businesses, and foreign callers can use. These international codes include:

    • Mainland China (+86)
    • Hong Kong (+852)
    • Macau (+853)
    • Taiwan (+886)

How to Call China from the US

To dial a China phone number from the US, you will need to dial the US exit code (011) and China country code (86) before the subscriber number. Follow this China phone number dialing format:

Calling a China local number: 011 – 86 – Area code – xxxx-xxxx

Example: 011 – 86 – 20 – 3333-3333

Calling a China toll free number: 011 – 86 – Toll free code – xxxx-xxxx

Example: 011 – 86 – 800 – 3333-3333

Calling a China mobile number: 011 – 86 – 1 Mobile code – xxxx-xxxx

Example: 011 – 86 – 122 – 3333-3333

Related: How To Call China From The United States

Common Problems with China Virtual Numbers

Demand for China virtual phone numbers has grown substantially in recent years. However many businesses have gotten frustrated while trying to find a reliable phone number to use in China. Since there are so many amazing opportunities in China, businesses want to continue their presence and therefore a reliable service needs to be available. At Global Call Forwarding, we are working hard to solve these issues. So, what are the common problems with Chinese virtual phone numbers and how do we solve them?

1. Mobile access

Toll free numbers in China are not accessible from mobile phones. If a business uses an 800 number for their company, their customers can call them through landlines only. Customers dialing from a mobile phone won’t be able to reach this business. Secondly, there are two 800 numbers in China; one for southern China and one for Northern China. This means, to be accessible to customers in all of China, a business will need two toll free numbers. To combat this issue and because of the lack of mobile access for 800 numbers, 400 numbers were created. 400 numbers can be reached from mobile phones and you don’t need different numbers for north and south China. The only difference is that customers pay a regular, local cost.

2. Long setup times

China requires that you have documentation of your business or a passport before getting virtual phone numbers. Conversely, you do not need a physical address in China to get a local phone number. Either way, waiting for the approval of these documents can take a long time. In order to bypass these wait times, you need to choose a provider with a good relationship with Chinese providers.

3. VoIP regulations

China VoIP regulations are different compared to other countries. Over time, several VoIP services have been banned in China with only certain VoIP providers allowed to operate. These providers are usually allowed only when China owns a majority of the company. Therefore, adding new VoIP providers becomes very difficult. Chinese VoIP providers have seen an improvement in the country’s willingness to partner with outside countries. The easiest place to gain a phone number is in Beijing, but outside of the country’s capital, it is still a struggle. The 400 numbers have the most common services available from VoIP providers. With 400 numbers, there is better consistency in call quality. As more companies take their business to China, the service will continue to improve.

4. Number porting

Number porting is not as advanced in China as you may find in other countries. Changing service providers in China will mean a few extra steps, involving canceling your number and buying a new phone number from your new provider. This issue has not been fixed, but if you choose a reputable VoIP provider that allows you to test their service before signing a long-term contract, you won’t waste any money on advertising a new number.

5. Number availability and limitations

Local numbers are difficult to set up in China due to their many restrictions. As China’s economy grows and more businesses choose to expand their global reach, the difficulty has lessened. However, complaints about call quality are common. Many providers only provide access to Beijing or Shanghai. At Global Call Forwarding, we offer local numbers in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tongchuan, and Hong Kong, with a reliable connection.

The future of China and the VoIP industry shows promise for growth. Although it is difficult at the present time, VoIP providers and China have been working hard to establish better connections and they continue to get better.

Getting Chinese Phone Numbers

Global Call Forwarding offers a variety of Chinese virtual phone numbers that work within the Chinese telephone code plan. You can use these numbers to start a new business in the country or expand your business to China. Call us today to learn more!