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Business Phone Numbers

Learn what to keep in mind with business phone number types and phone etiquette to global expansion best practices.
9 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers
4th June 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Top 9 Virtual Phone Number Providers [2025]

Australia toll free numbers
2nd June 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Australia Toll Free Numbers: Comparing the 3 Top Providers

freephone 0800 0808 uk
29th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Understanding 0800 and 0808 Freephone Numbers in the UK

An image showing international phone calls being made from your web browser.
12th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

3 Ways to Make International Calls from your Browser

consider 1 800 numbers
6th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

5 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a 1800 number

Australia-1800 vs 1300 numbers
17th April 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

1800 Australia Toll Free Numbers vs 1300 Australia Phone Numbers

how to find right toll free provider
26th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

How to Find the Right Toll Free Number Provider?

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers
11th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

Fingers dialing a number on a deskphone
5th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

How to Dial a UIFN Number

Top 9 Virtual Phone Number Providers [2025]

4th June 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Choosing a virtual phone number provider can be a daunting task. There are so many service providers that exist in today’s market. This guide helps you navigate the best virtual phone number providers in 2025.

What is the Best Virtual Phone Number Service

Virtual phone numbers (also called hosted phone numbers) are telephone numbers that route calls over the internet; that is “virtually.” VoIP services make a lot of sense for small and medium sized businesses. In fact, studies show that more than 30% of all businesses worldwide are using some type of virtual number service.

It can help businesses reduce telephony costs while scaling their communication systems. There are so many options available today that can expand the capabilities of any business phone system.

What Are the Types of Virtual Phone Numbers?

There are several different types of virtual phone numbers available from providers in 2025. We consider the most common types:

  • Local phone numbers: assigned to specific states or cities within a country
  • Toll free numbers: assigned to specific countries with a designated prefix; charges the receiver instead of the caller
  • International toll free numbers (ITFN): toll free numbers for international countries; best for businesses with global offices

Hosted phone number services are typically made possible through international call forwarding. This enables providers to offer number originations in a certain country while they forward calls to other countries worldwide.

Key Factors Considered in Our Evaluation

The most important things to consider when choosing a virtual phone number provider are service, quality, and reliability. First off, we recommend choosing a provider that has been in business for more than ten years. It is also important to choose a provider with an outstanding reputation for call-quality and customer support.

We evaluated the best virtual phone number providers based on more than twenty different factors. Here are some of the many factors that we considered in our evaluation:

  • Pricing: this includes the total pricing for virtual phone number service. We consider whether their plans are priced monthly or annually and whether services are billed annually versus monthly. Some virtual number providers also charge per user. Also, setup costs were taken into consideration.
  • Convenience: it is important to choose a provider that offers convenient ways to get numbers and manage your services.
  • Ease of Use: we always recommend choosing companies that have an easy to use control panel to manage service features.
  • Service Features: IVR is essential in today’s business environment.
  • Customer Support: service and support should be a company’s top priority.
  • Reputation: we checked the Better Business Bureau for complaints against companies in our list.

Who are the Best Virtual Phone Number Providers?

We have put together a list of 9 virtual phone number providers for your convenience based on features offered, variety of plans, set-up/cancellation options, etc.

*Note: Prices and information about the providers mentioned here are current and subject to changes.

1. Global Call Forwarding

Features:

  • Variety of hosted phone numbers: toll free (160+ countries), local, ITFN, UIFN, vanity
  • Mobile accessible numbers
  • SMS-enables numbers
  • Unlimited extensions for different departments
  • SIP trunking and VoIP phone systems
  • Call forwarding options
  • Outbound calling (customizable caller ID function)
  • Call recording (inbound and outbound)
  • Customizable IVR systems

Cost: Global Call Forwarding offers 5 different virtual number plans based on business needs: $12.95/mo, $23.95/mo, $78.95/mo, $158.95/mo, $248.95/mo

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contract: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: 7-day free trial for business accounts

2. Jive Communications

Popular Features:

  • Call management tools
  • Call blocking
  • Custom schedules
  • Find Me/Follow Me feature
  • Integrations
  • Unlimited SMS and messaging

Cost: Contact a Jive representative

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: First month free

3. Talkroute

Popular Features:

  • Toll free, local, vanity numbers
  • Outbound calls
  • Interactive voice response (IVR)
  • Call Logs and Reports
  • Single and multi-digit extensions

Cost: Talkroute offers 4 different virtual number plans: $19/mo, $39/mo, $59/mo, and $99/mo.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: Yes, 7-day trial

4. Vonage

Popular Features:

  • Call screening
  • Do Not Disturb function
  • Call monitoring
  • Voicemail (transcript form)
  • Integrations: Salesforce and Zoho

Cost: Vonage offers three virtual phone number plans: $19.99/mo/line, $29.99/mo/line, and $39.99/mo/line.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: 14-day free trial

5. CallHippo

Popular Features:

  • Local, toll free, and vanity numbers
  • Call conferencing
  • Call queuing and barging
  • Smart call forwarding
  • Simultaneous ringing
  • Call recording
  • Analytics and reports

Cost: CallHippo offers 4 virtual business number plans: $18/user/mo, $24/user/mo, $40/user/mo, and customized solutions with features of all the previous plans.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: No

6. RingCentral

Popular Features:

  • Unlimited calling
  • Call recording
  • Voicemail-to-text
  • Analytics and reports
  • Flip calls between devices
  • Call screening

Cost: RingCentral has 4 virtual phone number plans: $29.99/user/mo, $34.99/user/mo, $44.99/user/mo, and $59/99/user/mo.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No, cancel anytime

Free trial: Yes

7. OnSIP

Popular Features:

  • Unlimited voice and video calling
  • Call recording
  • Website chat
  • Inbound bridge
  • Voicemail boxes
  • Polycom phones included

Cost: OnSIP has 2 virtual business number plans: $18.95/user/mo and $49.95/mo for each account + 2.9¢ per minute.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: N/a

Free trial: Yes, 30-day

8. Phone.com

Popular Features:

  • International, toll free, and local numbers
  • Call routing
  • Unlimited extensions
  • Texting services
  • Call management tools (call transfer and forwarding options)
  • CRM integration
  • Voice tagging
  • Ring-ready phones

Cost: Phone.com offers 3 pay-per-minute virtual number plans: $12.99/mo, $19.99/mo, and $39.99/mo. They also offer 3 unlimited plans: $29.99/mo, $37.99/mo, and $49.99/mo.

Set-up fees: N/a

Long-term contracts: N/a

Free trial: No, 30-day money back guarantee

9. Nextiva

Popular Features:

  • Unlimited calling
  • Unlimited video conferencing
  • Call recording
  • SMS
  • Mobile VoIP app

Cost: Nextiva offers two virtual phone number plans: $20/user/mo and $27/user/mo

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No

Free trial: Yes

Get Virtual Phone Numbers From a Trusted Provider

We can help you get virtual numbers most suitable for your business needs. For an efficient and reliable virtual phone system, consider virtual phone number provider Global Call Forwarding. To learn more, speak to an expert at 1 (888) 908 6171 today!

Australia Toll Free Numbers: Comparing the 3 Top Providers

2nd June 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Need Australia toll free numbers for your business? Here we compare three of the top Australia business phone service providers so that you can make an informed decision.

Top Providers: Australia Toll Free Numbers

Picking a provider for Australia toll-free phone numbers can be tricky. One must consider several factors before making a decision, such as:

  • The different services and features the provider offers
  • The pricing models and plans
  • The provider’s credibility and service’s reliability
  • How to get the service
  • The ease of use, additional fees, etc.

Here is a comparison of the top three providers: Telstra, Optus, and Global Call Forwarding.

*Note: The information and prices mentioned in this article are current and are subject to changes and tax inclusions.

1. Telstra

Established in 1975, Telstra is an Australian telecommunications company offering voice, mobile, internet, and television services. They provide plans for individual, business, and enterprise use.

What they offer:

  • Toll free numbers
  • HD, video, Wi-Fi calling
  • SMS plans
  • Office phone systems
  • Business internet
  • Unified communications
  • International calling
  • Toll free service in 30 countries

Pricing:

Register on their website and request a callback for a personal consultation to determine business needs and pricing plans.

How to get started:

To sign up or get a quote about their toll free number service, contact customer service through their website.

2. Optus

Optus — also known as Singtel Optus Pty Limited — was started in 1981 with a vision for creating a well-connected Australia. This includes providing communication regionally as well as internationally. They have telecommunication services for individual use and business use. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

What they offer:

  • Toll Free numbers
  • Mobile plans
  • Satellite and 4G
  • Optus Loop (VoIP phone solution with call recording, CRM, dual identity)
  • Office broadband
  • Multiple phone lines
  • Global SIP
  • Phone systems, and more

Pricing:

Monthly Access Fee: Basic Value
Minimum Total Cost over 12 months: $330; excluding call charges
Charges for calls received on a fixed line: Local calls (per minute)
National calls (per minute)
mobile calls from within Australia (per minute)		 8.8c
13.2c
16.5c
Charges for calls received on a mobile number: All calls from within Australia 16.5c

How to get started:

To sign up, request a call back by filling the contact form with your contact and business information on their website.

3. Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding was launched in 2007 under its parent company United World Telecom, established in 1996. The goal of this company was to become an exclusive outlet for toll free numbers. And so, Global Call Forwarding offers international toll free numbers to businesses in more than 160 countries across the globe. Australia toll free numbers are one of the services offered.

What they offer:

  • Toll free numbers
  • Call forwarding options
  • Inbound and outbound call recording
  • Unlimited extensions
  • SIP trunking for businesses
  • Inbound SMS plans
  • Customizable outgoing caller ID
  • Interactive voice response (IVR systems)
  • Can be used internationally

Pricing:

Global Call Forwarding has 5 different plans. These are based on the size and requirements your business has. Plus, there are no set-up fees and no long-term contracts. Additionally, you can opt for a free trial of 7 days to test their service. Here are the prices for their Australia toll free business numbers with mobile accessibility:

Basic Value Power Premium Enterprise
Price $13.95/month $58.95/month $198.95/month $398.95/month $698.95/month
Monthly Minutes 75 600 2,201 5,250 11,008

How to get started:

The sign-up process for Australia toll free numbers from Global Call Forwarding is simple. You can sign up online through our homepage. Purchase and activate your new toll free number in less than a day. You can add additional premium services such as Rollover Minutes, Call Recording, and Outbound Calling to your plan.

Choosing the Ideal Provider

This decision is based solely on your business’ needs and budget. Would you like a provider offering additional communication services or just the toll free service? What other features would you like to include in your business communication system? And so on.

To purchase an Australia toll free number from Global Call Forwarding, sign up on our homepage. To learn more about Australia virtual numbers, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171.

Understanding 0800 and 0808 Freephone Numbers in the UK

29th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Whether you run a business in the UK or are looking to expand there, you will come in contact with 0800 and 0808 UK freephone numbers. In this article, we will discuss what these numbers are, how they work, and how they can benefit a business’s communication system.

UK Freephone Numbers

UK freephone numbers — also called UK toll free numbers and free call numbers — are telephone numbers with toll free service. These numbers begin with the prefix 800, 0800, 1-800, or 0808 followed by 7 digits. In 2015, 0800 and 0808 freephone numbers became universally free to call from landlines and mobile lines. Enterprises located in the United Kingdom or those conducting business in the country can make use of UK freephone numbers to enhance their business communications.

How do these toll free numbers work? Calls made to these numbers are charged to the receiver (the business) instead of the caller. Therefore, callers calling a business for customer support or product inquiries can call 0800 and 0808 freephone numbers for free.

  • Some common uses of 0800 and 0808 numbers are:
  • Sales and customer support lines for businesses
  • Government helplines
  • Charity hotlines

Benefits of UK Toll Free Numbers

So, why should your company get UK freephone numbers? With providers like Global Call Forwarding offering international toll free service, you can get a 0800 or 0808 freephone number even if your business is not located in the UK. Doing so helps you expand your business to this part of the world by establishing a nationwide presence.

When you get UK freephone numbers from a virtual phone service provider like Global Call Forwarding, you can:

  • Get mobile-accessible UK toll free numbers
  • Set up virtual communications with prospects and business partners in the UK
  • Customize and manage communications with your own VoIP phone system
  • Forward incoming calls to any number or line located anywhere in the world
  • Reduce international calling rates and save costs
  • Set up 24/7 customer service with IVR and call routing options
  • Add numbers for employees, departments, remote offices, etc
  • Encourage customers to call your business by providing a free and reliable way to connect
  • Increase sales and customer satisfaction by making your business accessible

How to Get UK Freephone Numbers for Your Business?

Getting a UK toll free business number is easy if you know what to look for. You can get such toll free service from any toll free number provider. However, there are some factors to consider. For example:

  • Do you want additional virtual communication features such as call recording, IVR, outbound calling, etc?
  • The provider’s credibility and their service’s reliability.
  • Cost of service and ease of use.
  • Range of coverage.
  • Call quality and call routing options, and so on.

It is important to choose a UK toll free number provider based on your business’s communication needs. Global Call Forwarding offers 5 different plans for our international toll free numbers. You can pick a plan that suits your needs best. These virtual number plans come equipped with basic communication features such as:

  • Call forwarding (including Time of Day Routing and Select Country Routing)
  • IVR/PBX
  • Unlimited extensions
  • SIP trunking
  • Call transfer
  • Custom greetings and local ringback tones, etc.

You can add premium features for an additional price. These include:

  • Call recording software (inbound and outbound)
  • Outbound calling with customizable outgoing caller ID
  • Rollover minutes
  • Inbound SMS plan (if applicable)

UK Virtual Numbers

Ready to get UK freephone numbers with Global Call Forwarding? Sign up on our homepage today or call us to learn more about UK virtual business numbers.

3 Ways to Make International Calls from your Browser

12th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

With advancements in cloud communications, connecting with international business contacts and customers is easier than ever. You can now initiate and answer international calls from your computer set-up anywhere in the world using only a reliable internet connection. Here, we will discuss how you can make international calls from your web browser.

How to Make a Phone Call from Your Web Browser

The best way to make a phone call from your browser is with international VoIP. This is a technology that converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. Most VoIP services will enable you to call anyone who has a phone number – even local, mobile, and long-distance international destinations.

The three most common solutions are Voice over IP software, a web phone, browser extensions, and international callback.

1. Voice Over IP Software

Voice over IP is the most commonly used communication technology to make international calls over the internet. This is because it is much more cost-effective than using a landline. Furthermore, some providers offer virtual features and services that are not available with traditional landlines.

To use VoIP effectively, a broadband (high-speed) internet connection is required, either through a cable modem or other high-speed services such as DSL. The strength of your internet connection will determine the effectiveness of this solution.

In addition, you will need Voice over IP software and an inexpensive microphone. VoIP software usually costs around $25 to $50 per month, depending on the provider. With good and reliable software, it’s easy to make international calls.

Calls can be made through the VoIP service directly, or the service can be integrated to make and receive calls through a CRM or help desk software.

Learn how to make international phone calls from a web browser.

2. Web Phone Dialer or Softphone

A web dialer enables users to make international calls over the internet. It operates largely like a traditional telephone on your computer, where you enter a phone number on a dial pad to initiate a call.

To make browser calls from a web phone dialer, log in to the service provider’s website with your username/PIN and password. After logging in, you have access to a dialer interface. This enables you to make international calls directly from your browser.

Similarly, a Softphone will enable international calling from a computer. Users will need to download an application on their computer and enter their credentials. Upon successful registration, they’ll be able to start making calls. However, you can consider Softphones to be native applications while web dialers work over web browsers.

Web dialers and Softphones will often offer features such as call transfer, call history, and other functionality to improve your international calling experience.

3. Browser Extensions

Some providers offer international calling through click-to-call Chrome extensions that enable you to dial a number from any webpage just by clicking on the phone number. In our experience, we highly recommend using click-to-call to make international calls from a web browser. Companies can enhance the online experiences of their agents using browser extensions.

Honorable Mention: International Callback

International callback is our top recommended way to make international calls if you don’t have a stable high-speed internet connection or if you are in one of the countries where VoIP is prohibited. Callback uses third-party countries, like the United States, to enable low-cost international calls.

Make International Calls Online

These solutions make it possible for businesses to make international calls online. Stay connected with your customers and contacts no matter where they are located.

To call internationally from a computer, businesses only need a stable internet connection and Voice over IP software. If you want to make international calls from your browser, follow the tips in this article. For more information, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 and talk to an expert.

5 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a 1800 number

6th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Getting 1800 numbers for your business is a big decision. One that needs to be deliberated over, researched, and thoroughly understood. Here we will go over some important factors to consider before getting a 1800 number for your business.

Which is the Best 1800 Number Service?

Finding the right toll free number provider can be a difficult task, especially when you do not know what to look for. The ideal provider offers you the perfect feature set with a budget that fits your pocket. This feature set should include services and tools needed to make your business communications better. This could include anything ranging from IVR, call recording, outbound calling tools such as a web dialer, etc.

While these are the most common aspects to consider, the following article will discuss the five main factors to keep in mind before getting a 1800 number service.

1. Number Prefix

The 1800 number prefix is a common and popular toll free number prefix. This means that it may not always be easy to purchase. Before settling on a provider, check with their customer support to ensure they have 1800 numbers available for your needs.

1800 are popular because they are the original toll free numbers. Prefixes such as 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888 followed once 800 numbers became exhausted. Callers generally associated 1800 numbers with large and professional corporations and therefore these numbers are in high demand as business numbers. They can add credibility and professionalism to a business’s image.

2. Amount of Call Traffic

1800 toll free numbers do not the callers anything; they don’t get charged for the calls. Instead, the receiver (that is, the business) incurs the charges. This helps your business build and manage high call traffic. Whether it is for customer service or to make a purchase/appointment, interested and returning customers can quickly connect with your business for free.

1800 numbers are known to increase call traffic by creating a free channel of communication for interested callers. Giving this opportunity to your customers shows them that you are determined to make caller experience better. And by extension, that you care about and value their business.

3. Destination / Number of Operators

Where do you want your calls to be forwarded to? And how many operators will these calls be directed to? Calls made to virtual 1800 numbers can be forwarded to select predetermined destination numbers. This way, when calls come in, they will go where you want them to; to your head office or a remote call center.

You can also have calls routed based on where a call is coming from or based on time. For example, off- or after-hours calls can be directed to an office in a different timezone. You can also have multiple destination lines so that incoming calls ring on multiple numbers or phones. This way, no call goes unanswered or missed. Before you purchase your 1800 number, consider and map out how you want your calls forwarded.

4. Length of Contract

Another important aspect to note is whether you want a contract with your provider. Some virtual toll free number providers offer one- or two-year-long contracts that are not easy to get out of. Part of signing up for their service is agreeing to use it for a set amount of time. If you are certain of this provider’s credibility and reliability, then this may be a safe choice.

However, it is also a good idea to sign up with a provider that has no contracts or long-term commitments, in case you want to change or cancel your plan. Global Call Forwarding, for example, has no contracts or long-term commitments. We hope that our high-quality service keeps our customers coming back for more.

5. Reliability of Provider

Finally, it is important to determine the provider’s reliability and credibility. How long have they been doing business? What are their customers or clients saying about the service? What features and services are they offering and are these up to date? The longer a provider has been in this business, the better they understand a company’s communication needs and will serve you better.

Purchasing 1800 Numbers

Feeling more confident about buying 1800 numbers for your business? Start by researching various toll free number providers. Global Call Forwarding offers virtual business numbers for more than 160 countries across the world. We offer local, international, and toll free numbers. Get your 1800 number with Global Call Forwarding today. For more information, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 to speak with an expert.

1800 Australia Toll Free Numbers vs 1300 Australia Phone Numbers

17th April 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

What’s the difference between 1300 Australia phone numbers and 1800 Australia toll free numbers? When considering an Australian business number, it is important that you select the right one for your business. Here we will look at 1300 vs 1800 Australia numbers so that you can make an informed decision.

Australian Business Phone Numbers

Both 1800 and 1300 are Australia business numbers that businesses can use to connect with Australian customers and business contacts. These virtual numbers come with the same features and functions to support a business’ communication requirements. They are portable, making them usable nationwide. That is, they are not restricted to any specific geographical area within the country.

The main difference that separates these two Australian number types is in the call costs, for the caller and the receiver. In other words, the charges of the call for the caller (the customer) and the receiver (the business).

1300 Australia Phone Numbers

1300 Australia numbers are also called Local Rate or local numbers. Callers calling a 1300 number incur the cost of a local call. Furthermore, if called from a mobile or smartphone, then the calling charges may be even more, depending on the mobile and carrier companies.

The receiver, the business, or the 1300 number account holder, also incurs charges for these calls. That charge is based on where the call originates from. However, because the caller pays for these calls as well, the charges are lower for the receiver.

1800 Australia Toll Free Numbers

Calling 1800 Australia toll free numbers, on the other hand, is free for callers, irrespective of whether they are calling from a landline or mobile phone. These numbers also go by the name Free Call or Toll Free numbers.

Similar to the 1300 numbers, the receiver of the 1800 Australia toll free numbers incurs charges for these calls. This charge, similarly, depends on where the call is being made from. However, since the caller pays nothing for these calls, all of the charges fall on the receiver.

Which is More in Demand?

There has been significant competition between the two types of Australian phone numbers due to availability and cost. However, Australia toll free numbers were not as preferred because they were more expensive. Fortunately, with the rise of cloud communication and virtual phone service providers like Global Call Forwarding, 1800 numbers have become more affordable. This means that businesses can provide their Australian clients a free way to connect with them without having to pay exorbitant fees.

Furthermore, if you get Australia toll free numbers from a virtual service provider that routes calls using an international toll free service, then you will be saving more money. This is because using this service means routing calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. This means that you can forward incoming calls to any number of your choice, anywhere in the world, as long as it is connected to a reliable internet connection. And so, businesses outside of Australia can also connect with and sell to Australian customers and clients through their toll free number.

Australia Toll Free Numbers with Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding offers Australia toll free numbers to businesses in and outside of Australia. Our Australia virtual number plans come with various virtual communication features and tools to enhance the way your business interacts with its customers:

  • Call recording
  • Call forwarding and routing options
  • Outbound calling (customizable caller ID)
  • Unlimited extensions
  • Interactive voice response (IVR system)
  • Local and toll free numbers, and more.

To learn more about Australia business numbers or to sign up for Australia toll free numbers, contact us at 1 (888) 908 6171.

How to Find the Right Toll Free Number Provider?

26th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Choosing the right toll-free number provider can be a daunting task. Learn what toll-free numbers are, how businesses can use them, and how to find the right provider for your needs here.

Toll-Free Numbers: How to Choose the Right Provider?

Toll-free numbers offered by phone service providers make for an easy and free way for individuals to call a business. This is because calls made to these numbers charge the receiver instead of the caller. Large corporations and established companies will have a toll-free business number as their contact number to encourage interested and recurring customers to connect with them and, by extension, promote sales. You can get a toll-free number for the country you reside in. Calls made to this number from within the country will be toll-free.

Virtual Toll-Free Numbers

Virtual phone number providers, on the other hand, have more toll-free number options. Such cloud-based providers offer numbers with an international toll-free forwarding service. This enables your business to get a toll-free number for different countries spread across the world. Calls made to these numbers then get forwarded through the international forwarding service over the internet and are routed to a number of your choice.

Global Call Forwarding, for instance, offers virtual toll-free numbers for more than 160 countries across the world. For example, your business enterprise is based in London but you have clients and customers in India, Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and the U.A.E. You can get toll-free numbers for these countries, making it free for callers to call your enterprise. Calls are then forwarded to your London office for a cheaper rate than international calls usually charge.

Find the Ideal Feature Set

When thinking about which provider to go ahead with, consider the additional features and tools they offer. For example, do you have multiple offices working in different time zones? Then, you may take advantage of a time-related call forwarding service. Additionally, can your business benefit from tracking incoming calls to study where they are coming from, etc? Then, call logs and activity reports would be helpful. Furthermore, would you like to record business calls to see how employees are doing or to maintain compliance with regulations? And so on.

Global Call Forwarding offers the following features along with each plan:

  • Advanced IVR: automated voice response
  • Black and White Lists: to organize blocked numbers and accepted numbers
  • Call Transfer: manual transferring of calls between different departments
  • Customer Greeting: personalized greetings with company information
  • Dedicated Account Manager: account support to ensure smooth functioning
  • Failover Forwarding: forwarding calls to a set number of lines to ensure no call goes unanswered
  • Fax to Email: receive faxes in email format
  • Local Ringback Tones: plays the signal tone of the destination the phone is ringing in
  • Simultaneous Calling: calls multiple lines and numbers at a time to ensure no call is missed
  • Time of Day Routing: routes calls to different locations or numbers during certain times of the day
  • Voicemail to Email: receive voicemails as MP3 files in your inbox
  • 24/7 Customer Support: to provide support and customer care

And, you can get these additional features:

  • Call Recording Software: record up to 100% of incoming and outgoing calls
  • Rollover Minutes: accumulate unused minutes to be used the next month
  • Inbound SMS Plan: receive texts from customers
  • Outbound Calling: call local and international customers with customizable caller IDs

Research Providers, Reviews Plans

Once you have an idea of what communication features and tools you want from your international toll-free number provider, research different providers and see what they have to offer. Compare prices alongside the quantity and quality of features offered. Most providers have free trials you can use to test the quality of service before you make a commitment. They will also have different plans based on different business types or sizes. This will give you a better understanding of how much time and money you would need to spend on the service per month.

Toll-Free Numbers: Making Communication Easier

Toll-free numbers are often associated with big businesses. Having a toll-free business number will further solidify your company’s professional image. To learn more about toll-free numbers and how Global Call Forwarding can help with your company’s communication system, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171.

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

11th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

So, you’re in the market for a new business number and your service provider is throwing terms like “local access number,” “SMS-enabled mobile number” and whatnot at you. How do you decide what is the best option for your company when you do not even understand the different options available? Let us help. Here we will look at the differences between mobile and local phone numbers, in words you will understand.

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

So, what is being referred to when virtual phone service providers mention mobile or local phone numbers? Providers offer a variety of phone number types that can be used by different businesses, based on what they need. For example, a local business that just wants to connect with clients and customers within their immediate area can use a regular phone number. On the other hand, companies that want to give their callers a free way to connect with them may choose to buy a toll free phone number. Furthermore, an enterprise with customers all over the world will find that having multiple local numbers for different regions is ideal.

So, what exactly is the difference between local phone numbers and mobile numbers?

Local Phone Numbers: Target Locally and Geographically

Local phone numbers correspond to a particular city or state in a country of your choosing. Local virtual numbers work similarly to regular local numbers and have an area code at the beginning. These numbers are most popular because they are reachable from anywhere in the world and from most mobile networks as well. For example, say, you want to connect with clients in specific cities or states such as New York in the United States, Sydney in Australia, and Dublin in Ireland. All you need to do is purchase local numbers for these areas which come with local area codes.

Global Call Forwarding offers local numbers for many different countries across the world. Corporations that have offices or clients spread across different cities and states prefer buying multiple local phone numbers. This way, they always have a quick method of connecting with business contacts and clients, when needed.

Additionally, customers connecting with these businesses do not need to pay high international charges for their calls. Instead, they pay the regular, local calling charges because the call is going to a local number. That call then gets routed through a forwarding service to reach your business, no matter where it is located.

Mobile Numbers: To Mobile, or Not to Mobile?

Mobile virtual numbers function similarly to local numbers, that is, they may or may not be bound to a specific geographical location. Calls made to these numbers are not free and depend on where the call is coming from. And these numbers, too, can accept calls from outside the country, making them reachable from anywhere in the world. They begin with a specific number range such as 06 or 07 in France, 07 for the UK, 04 for Australia. The United States, however, does not have a number range.

More importantly, what separates mobile numbers from local phone numbers is that they can be SMS-enabled. For example, Global Call Forwarding offers inbound SMS forwarding. This enables customers to connect with your business through SMS (instant messaging). Your business will receive these incoming texts as emails with the sender’s caller ID. This is yet another easy and convenient way for customers to reach out to a business.

So, Which Does Your Business Need?

Texting and calling are personal and quick ways to connect with a business. As a business that depends highly on customer interaction, you may want to provide as many ways of connecting as possible. SMS, international call routing, callback widgets on your website, live chats, and more can be utilized. The easier you make it for prospects to contact you, the more connections your business will make. Additionally, remaining accessible is key to building confidence and trust in a company. Want to learn more? Call 1 (561) 908-6171

How to Dial a UIFN Number

5th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

So, you’ve purchased a universal toll free number (UIFN) and want to learn how to use it. UIFN numbers are a good resource for businesses looking to expand internationally. But before we discuss how to dial a UIFN number, it is important to understand what such numbers are and how they work.

What are Universal Toll Free Numbers?

Universal International Freephone Numbers, or UIFN are similar to international toll free numbers. They make it free for customers to contact your business, with the added benefit of using the same number in multiple countries. Businesses looking to expand their growth to cover more countries across the world will find a need for a UIFN number.

How this works is that the UIFN number is a unique number that can be reached from any country in the world. And so, instead of advertising multiple contact numbers for each country, you can advertise one universal number that is toll free, no matter where callers are calling from.

Countries Where UIFN Numbers are Available

Now, you can also request a UIFN for the 3 or 4 countries you want to connect with. Say, your business is located in the United States but you want to create a communication channel with Australia, Brazil, France, and Germany. You can request a UIFN for these countries and then add new countries — that is, new markets — while keeping the same number.

Only a limited number of countries participate and work with UIFN numbers but more are being added. UIFN numbers are currently available in up to 62 countries spread across the globe. A few of these are:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guadeloupe
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Reunion
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan

UIFN Calling: Regulations

While UIFN numbers seem like the ideal way to connect with customers across the globe, it is important to keep in mind that there are some regulations and restrictions applied. For example, certain origination countries may impose restrictions on calling abilities and the networks your customers can dial from. Additionally, countries have different prefixes that need to be dialed before dialing the 800 number. Some of the regulations regarding purchasing and dialing UIFN numbers include:

1. The UIFN number needs to be registered in at least two countries.
2. These numbers require a one-time set-up fee.
3. The number needs to be activated for inbound calls from at least two country codes within 180 days.
4. A different format is needed to dial UIFN. Customers will have to include a country code or international access code as a prefix at the beginning of the 800 number.

Sign Up For UIFN

How to Dial a UIFN Number?

Now that you have a better understanding of how UIFN numbers work, let’s look at how to dial a UIFN number. UIFN numbers start with “800,” assigned to them by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With this, customers from anywhere in the world can dial and call a UIFN number without being charged for the call. However, the format varies depending on which country is being called. The format generally is:

International access code (IAC) + 800 + 8-digit UIFN

And so, to successfully dial a UIFN number, customers need to know the appropriate international access code. Then, they can add 800 and dial the rest of your UIFN number. Always confirm with your provider what your customers will need to dial to reach you.

Now you know how to dial a UIFN number. But, as you can see, the process can be slightly complicated. Additionally, when dialing, customers may not recognize this number as a toll free number. They are typically more accustomed to 800 numbers or their national toll free number formats.

Universal Coverage with UIFN Numbers

If you want to expand your business globally and work with customers from different countries, then request a UIFN number.

For more global access with a single toll-free number, you may be interested in our Toll Free FlexDial solution — a popular UIFN alternative. Browse our FlexDial prices or reach out to a team member to learn more.