International Business

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.

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:

• 02 Number: What are They & Format
• Who Uses 02 Numbers
• Why Should Businesses Use 02 Bangkok Numbers
• How Global Call Forwarding Can Help

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:

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!

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.

• Increasing Global Phone Coverage
• Using Global Call Forwarding with Other Providers
• Adding Global Coverage with Global Call Forwarding
• Integrate with the Tools You Already Use

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.

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.

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!

International phone numbers allow businesses to establish a local presence in other countries.

Incoming calls can be routed to any phone, PBX, or SIP destination worldwide. Users can also make outbound calls with their phone number shown as the caller ID.

To provide these numbers, Global Call Forwarding must adhere to international phone number regulations. We comply with these regulatory requirements to minimize the risk of disruption to your numbers and service.

This guide to international number ordering requirements was created to make this process as easy as possible.

Which Countries Require Documentation?

Countries around the world are becoming increasingly strict when it comes to telecommunications regulations and compliance. These regulations vary from country to country.

The following popular countries require documentation to order a number:

• Singapore
• UAE
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• Bahrain
• Austria
• Belgium
• China
• Denmark
• Hong Kong
• Thailand
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkey
• Vietnam
• Taiwan
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Finland

These are some examples of countries but it is not a complete list. For more information, please contact a Global Call Forwarding representative.

What are the Acceptable Types of Documentation?

When ordering international phone numbers, your provider may request different types of documentation. In order to make the process of number provisioning as fast as possible, we need your help gathering and providing the necessary documentation.

The most commonly requested types of documentation are proof of address, proof of ID, and a letter of intent.

These documents should be sent to our customer service department.

Acceptable Proof of Address

Acceptable Proof of Address can be one of the following:

• Utility bill (gas, electric, or fixed-line telephone bill) within the last 3 months
• Bank statement within the last 3 months of a lease/tenant agreement

In some cases, especially for geographic numbers, proof of address is required from the same city in which the number is located.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

Acceptable Forms of Identification can be one of the following:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• National ID card

In some cases, our provider will request a selfie with the end-user holding their identification.

What if this Information is Sensitive?

We take our responsibility to safeguard your sensitive personal information very seriously. We apply technical controls when processing this data, and all our staff undergoes training on the proper handling of this data.

How Long Does it Take for Documents to be Approved?

In most cases, it can take between 3-5 business days for documentation approval.

While we do our best to activate your numbers as quickly as possible, timelines can vary depending on the country origination.

Our vendors reserve the right in their discretion to deny phone numbers or request additional information at any stage of the process.

How Can I View the Status of my Submission?

Once your documents have been approved and the order has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation with further details. You can check the status of your submission at any time by contacting our customer service team.

International Number Ordering with Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding has been a reliable global telephony provider for over 26 years. We have extensive experience navigating international telecommunications regulations and providing reliable services to multinational clients.

Let us help you navigate through compliance requirements for purchasing international phone numbers and make this process as smooth as possible.

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:

• Cold calling prospects in other cities.
• Making international calls.
• Leaving a voicemail asking the prospect to call you back.

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:

• People are four times more likely to answer calls from local numbers.
• Almost 75% of Americans won’t answer calls from unknown and non-local numbers.

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.