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What is Call Origination?

Meryl D'Sa-Wilson 23rd May 2022 blog

When searching for a voice phone service provider, you will come across terms like call origination and call termination. Together, both have to do with how phone calls start, travel, …Read More »

What is Phone Number Provisioning?

Meryl D'Sa-Wilson 20th May 2022 blog

When searching for a business phone service provider, you may notice the terminology “fast provisioning” or “quick provisioning.” But what does phone number provisioning mean? And how does it affect …Read More »

What is SIP Termination?

Meryl D'Sa-Wilson 19th May 2022 blog, Cloud Telephony

More and more businesses are adopting cloud phone systems for more flexibility and mobility. Cloud phone services, powered by VoIP and SIP, bring you high-quality voice that is manageable from …Read More »

Top 7 South Africa SIP Trunk Providers

Meryl D'Sa-Wilson 18th May 2022 blog

Best SIP trunk providers for South Africa.

SIP trunking enables your business to add advanced cloud communication functionality to your phone system. And with the right provider, you can improve your business phone system reliably and cost-effectively. …Read More »

What is Centralized Call Control and How to Set it Up?

Meryl D'Sa-Wilson 16th May 2022 blog

With remote and hybrid work setups, your business needs to find effective and flexible call processing solutions. These types of solutions help teams answer calls without any issues, no matter …Read More »

A Complete Guide to Business Voice Redundancy

Meryl D'Sa-Wilson 6th May 2022 blog, Cloud Telephony

A complete guide to incoming business voice redundancy.

Customer service expectations have increased in the past decade, with more and more businesses being “forever accessible.” Many companies offer 24/7 support, while others are reachable via multiple communication channels. …Read More »

How to Port a Phone Number from Google Voice

Corinna Underwood 21st November 2017 Learn, Technology

Google Voice is a service that provides users with a phone number, which is known as a Google number. The number is designed to unify several communication channels enabling you to receive calls, text messages and voicemails. Google Voice is available for free for all Gmail users. When you sign up, you are given one virtual number which allows you to manage all of your phones and mobile devices. The service utilizes VoIP technology to route its calls and to allow free local calls and international calls at a cheap rate. The service also offers a number of other features such as giving you the option to have your call routed to up to six different devices, for example, your mobile phone, home phone or office phone. You can also specify which phones you want to ring at which time of day.

How Google Voice Works

Google Voice links with the PTSN (public switched telephone network) in combination with the mobile network to reroute the calls. When a call is made through Google Voice, it is initiated through the traditional landline phone system, but it is transferred to Google’s internet space, then directed to its final destination number. This method of unifying numerous channels of communication has the added benefit of reducing costs. It also means that you can change your mobile carrier service without having to change your current phone number. All you need to do is change the number to which your calls are routed.

Though you still have to pay your monthly subscription to your wireless or phone carrier, Google Voice has several benefits such as:

You have a wide range of available phone numbers to choose from. You can select specific area codes from anywhere in the United States and even look for a specific US number or letter combination.
Because you have a dedicated number to receive calls from all your other numbers, you’ll never miss a call. You can still make outgoing calls from all of these devices independently.
You can make free local calls to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.
You can make calls at low VoIP rates to international numbers.
You can read and send free texts messages with your Google number, as well as access your virtual voicemail, check out your call history and make and receive video calls, all from an easy to use interface. You can do all of this on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.
If you prefer not to listen to your voicemail, then Google Voice will send you written transcripts of your recorded messages. You will still have the option to listen to the messages as well.
How to Port a Phone Number from Google Voice
When you sign up for Google Voice, your number is initially locked so that it cannot be ported without your approval. However, you can, if you wish, port out your Google Voice number to another provider once you have unlocked it. Google will charge you a fee of $3 to port your number, unless you have already ported your mobile number to Google Voice.

How to Unlock Your Google Voice Number

Sign in to your Google Voice account.
Beneath your Google Voice number, you will see a link that says “Unlock my Number.” If you have more than one Google Voice number, click on the link beneath the number you would like to unlock.
Click “Continue.”
Log into Google Wallet to complete your transaction.
Your Google Voice number can now be ported out. This means you are ready to use the ported number with a new service provider. Should you at any stage change your mind about porting out your Google Voice number, you can choose to re-lock it. Simply follow these steps:
Sign in to your Google Voice Account.
Beneath your Google Voice number, you will see an option that says “Relock my number.” Click on the clink.
Click “Continue” to confirm.

Once your Google Voice number has been unlocked, you will see a screen message confirming this and telling you that you can now port your number. It is advisable to take a screenshot of this message so that you can use it to show your new porting agent that the number has been unlocked.

You may, if you wish, lock the number again at a later date. You will have to pay Google the $3 unlocking fee again. However, if you follow the port-out procedure with an external carrier, for example, SIPStation, you will not be able to re-lock the number.

Drawbacks to Google Voice

It is currently only available throughout the United States.
You are also not able to make emergency calls with your Google Voice number.
Support is limited. If you are having difficulty using your Google Voice number, you can seek help from the online help pages and FAQs, but there is no one-on-one customer service where you can call, email or chat online with a representative.
You will need to use Google Hangouts if you wish to message pictures or videos directly or send SMS to multiple recipients. Google voice alone does not have the technology to manage this because it does not utilize the more advanced Multimedia Messaging Service.

Porting Your Google Voice Number to a Different Provider

Once your Google Voice number has been successfully ported, you will then be ready to use your unlocked Google Voice number with a different telecommunications provider, such as Global Call Forwarding. This will allow you to take advantage of a number of advanced features such as call recording, time of day routing or advanced IVR. You may transfer one or all of your Google Voice numbers, or any other portable phone numbers.

It is quick and easy to complete the process. All you need to do is fill out the online form. You will receive a confirmation email from Global Call Forwarding shortly afterwards, and then you’re good to go. The complete VoIP number porting process might take 3-4 weeks.

The New Cable Between The US And Spain

Global Call Forwarding 21st November 2017 Learn, Technology

Communication technology has reached new heights – or length, perhaps, depending upon the context. Microsoft, Facebook, and telecom infrastructure company Telxius have jointly laid a giant 4,000-mile-long transatlantic cable between North America and Spain, enhancing the world of communications forevermore.

It has the capacity of 160-terabits per second, equal to streaming 70 million HD videos at the same time. This is the highest capacity subsea cable to have ever crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Operational by early 2018, the cable is 16 million times faster than the average Internet connection, so claims Microsoft.

Named Marea (Spanish for “tide,”), the cable lies 17,000 feet below the ocean surface and stretches between Virginia Beach in the US and the city of Bilbao, Spain. Microsoft is hopeful that this cable will prevent the disruption of communication systems between the two countries in the event of natural disasters like hurricanes. This will benefit Microsoft and Facebook most of all because both of these companies have large data operation centers in Virginia.

Microsoft president, Brad Smith said that it was about time a system like Marea was developed because submarine cables in the Atlantic carry double the data carried by trans-Pacific cables, and with the demand increasing every year, the need for more transatlantic submarine cables also increases. Made of eight pairs of fiber optic cable, Marea mostly lies on the ocean floor, though some parts of it are buried for protection against shipping traffic.

Marea will help establish a faster and stronger telecommunications link not only between the US and Europe, but also between other countries like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where a billion of future Internet users are supposed to come from. The complex process took the engineers over five months to load and place the cable along the seabed.

Subsea cable technology is nothing new in the grand scheme of things. The very first transatlantic cable was laid by Cyrus Field in 1858, in order to connect the New World with the old. His grandiose attempt was deemed as ‘raising a ladder to the moon.’ Field was one of the few people in those days who understood the importance of a communications link between the major nations of the world.

So when a project to link Canada to New York was almost on the brink of bankruptcy, it gave Field an idea to connect the two nations via Newfoundland. In 1856, Field bought the failing cable company and turned it to the Atlantic Telegraph Company. Thus began his attempt to bring the idea to life.

Although the first transatlantic telegraph cable was a successful attempt, it only functioned for three weeks. Attempts were made again in 1865 and 1866 that were more successful, but they weren’t long-lasting either. Those were early days, and the engineers had yet to master the technology needed to not only run, but also sustain an undersea cable.

Despite the short lifespan of these first cables, they were hailed as the ‘eighth wonder of the world,’ as it enabled faster communication between nations. In a way, this was one of the earliest steps towards globalization. The first transatlantic telephone cable system was laid between Scotland and Newfoundland in 1956. The first transoceanic fiber-optic cable was laid in 1988, connecting the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. This was the first set of fiber optic cables to ever be used. They turned out to be much faster and more efficient than traditional copper lines.

All cables currently not only use fiber optic technology, but also fiber optic transmission, and a self-healing ring topology. So efficient are these cables that by the late 1900s, communications satellites lost most of their North Atlantic telephone traffic, thanks to these cables that are low cost, while providing high capacity and low latency.

With time, cables have only gotten more advanced. The tighter they are, the higher speed they provide. Transatlantic cables laid after 2012 take the latency to under 60 milliseconds. More than 99 percent of international communication is routed through fiber optic cables situated at the bottom of oceans.

As the need for faster and more efficient communication has risen over the years, technology has also kept pace and never stopped advancing. There are modern innovations like cloud computing and artificial intelligence that are not only changing the way we use the internet, but also proving beneficial to society on a multitude of levels. For instance, video content was thought to be only for entertainment purposes till a few years ago. Now, a lot of industries use video content to take their services to more people.

This includes the healthcare industry, where features like telemedicine and video connections are becoming more prevalent; the education industry where high-quality distance learning is shaping the future; and various other businesses where virtual offices are replacing the need to have land-based offices. The new MAREA cable will enable business in Spain to easily operate in the US with the help of virtual communication.

Marea was made possible by the strong collaboration between the US and Spain. The project received tremendous support from Spain, with multiple ministries of the Spanish government approving and facilitating the application for the installation permit for the cable landing in Bilbao.

On the other hand, the US landing was quickly approved by the federal government in Washington, D.C., supported by the authorities in Virginia. Although the process could have taken several years, the strong communication between the two nations, plus the immediate sense of urgency enabled the project to be completed in a little over two years.

Instead of depending on telecom companies to provide the infrastructure for new communication links, tech giants are funding new cables themselves. Like Microsoft and Facebook, tech giant Google has also invested in two subsea cables that run from the US to South America, Japan, and other Asian countries.

With the new Marea subsea cable, Facebook and Microsoft will have more control over the huge amounts of data that they need to transmit around the world in the shortest possible time. A lot of their services – from Office 365 to Instagram – will benefit from the technology without a doubt.

How to Call 1800 Numbers From Puerto Rico

Valerie Stitt 21st November 2017 How To's, Learn

There are many questions that you may have regarding making calls across borders, especially when you are calling another location in the world. If you are in Puerto Rico and you have to make an international call using a 1800 number, do you know exactly how to do it? If you do not know how to go through the prompts, it can be a bit complicated. You may end up spending a lot of money for a single call. Above all, you need to know the steps for calling 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico.

Do you Need to Call the US From Puerto Rico Often?

There may come a time when you need to make calls from Puerto Rico. Perhaps you want to call 1800 because your family is in another location and it will give you peace of mind if you can speak to them as often as possible. All the while, it will be of utmost importance to be able to make calls without huge expenses.

Here are the steps for how to call US 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico to the United States:

Dial 011-1
Dial 1800
Dial the landline number or the mobile phone number that you are trying to call.

If in the event you do not understand the numbers that are mentioned above, you should remember the following:

011 – This is the exit code for Puerto Rico. When you dial this, it means that you are making an international phone call.
1 – This is the country code of the United States.
800 – This is one of the area codes of the United States. Remember that there are different codes available. You need to dial a different area code if you are calling a person or a company located in a different country.

Let us say that you want to know how to call Puerto Rico when you are in a different location. You also have to know the international code (+787), the area codes and the actual Puerto Rico phone numbers in order to proceed. This is the same with all other destinations.

What If You Need Unlimited Calls?

It was mentioned earlier that if you needed to make calls to your loved ones and you would be calling internationally all the time, the phone bills will be exorbitant. As an alternative, there are different ways that you can get unlimited calls to the US from Puerto Rico.

Use Call Collect – This is ideal if you are calling to contact a company. Perhaps you have some questions about some products you have purchased recently or you have some inquiries about the availability of the products you want. A company may offer call collect so that you can call them and not pay for the call. It will also help to know Puerto Rico toll-free numbers that you can use for your calling needs.
Use an App – Applications have truly changed the way that people communicate with each other. Gone are the days when writing letters was the only method available in order to communicate. Calling via phone used to be very expensive; but now you can use an app to call people for free. Whether you are going to call sellers, companies, your friends, or your family members, the right app can be effective. With different features available, there are things you can utilize that would not otherwise be available via other platforms.
Find Affordable Phone Services – There are phone providers that offer various packages that will fit your different needs. Global Call Forwarding is one of such companies that can provide the services you want by looking at their offerings. They even offer plans with unlimited calls. Subscribers have the option to reach more than one number when they call from Puerto Rico to another country. There are different considerations to think about, but with the right service provider, meeting your needs as a caller will be possible.

Some Tips on Calling Internationally

Make sure that you know the right area code. There are various prefixes assigned to different countries. The moment that you make a mistake with even a single digit, you will be dialing a wrong number. This can be a hassle not only for you but for the household, company, or person that you called.
Take note of the time difference. A 12-hour time difference is no joke, especially if the receiver is getting the call at an awkward or absurd hour. Companies normally offer 24-hour services but if you are calling 1800 for personal reasons, take note of the time zones.
Calling via landline or mobile phone is almost the same. You just have to know the exact number to call so you will not make a mistake.
If you are going to use phone services in order to make calls, make sure that you choose the best one available depending on your needs. There are different packages and plans offered by different companies. It will be up to you to choose.
Have a phone that can call internationally. In some countries, though you may have a phone to make outgoing calls to international locations, there are some types of calls that are limited. Make sure that your phone can be used internationally before you start calling, however.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that people assume that calling from Canada, or other areas in North America will be the same as calling from Puerto Rico. This is not the case, and you should always learn the specifics prior to making calls to 1800 numbers so that no surprises will come up.

Additionally, there are still going to be some slight differences such as with the phone service plans that are being offered by different providers. Calling internationally will not be hard to do when you choose a service provider such as Global Call Forwarding that offers calling plans at affordable rates.

With all of the details that you have learned, you are now aware that calling 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico is possible, as long as you know what to do.

Business Telephone Etiquette

Valerie Stitt 21st November 2017 Learn, Technology, Tips

Whether your business deals with local or international clients, understanding and practicing business telephone etiquette can ensure your business maintains professionalism and communicates effectively with its clients. Let’s learn how to practice proper business phone etiquette.

Business Telephone Communication

As easy as making and receiving telephone calls can be, many still do not know that rules guide telephone conversations, especially in the professional or business context. Business communication is a critical dimension of every organization. It can set the tone for many business activities involving clients and customers and other businesses such as closing deals, onboarding new customers, or offering customer support. Business calls play a major role in the day-to-day operations of many businesses. Companies need to contact potential customers, clients, and vendors and receive calls from customers about product inquiries and assistance.

The Importance of Proper Business Telephone Etiquette

Having good business telephone etiquette is beyond your ability to speak fluently and offer pleasant greetings. It is more about leaving a good and lasting impression on the person on the other end of the line. Since your next phone conversation could be your initial contact with a client, customer, or even your superior, you are presented with an opportunity to make a good connection and build a relationship.

Having the proper phone etiquette for business calls is necessary for every business that takes its professional image seriously. Have you ever contacted a business’s customer care department only to be greeted by a rude or uninterested representative? Did that response and interaction make you want to take your business elsewhere? This is where having stellar business telephone etiquette plays an important role in supporting your sales and customer support services. When a poor first impression is given, many businesses suffer, which often leads to a loss of customers and low sales conversions.

How a business communicates with its customers and clients will determine how they will be perceived. Therefore it becomes essential that businesses invest in training their employees to answer or initiate telephone calls. They also need to be aware of international business phone etiquette and how to connect with global customers effectively.

Furthermore, they must identify when a telephone call is the best means of communicating with a client, customer, or business contact. Employees must understand their audience and the most appropriate method to communicate with them. This depends on the type of business you run and what the interaction with the customer is about. In some cases, customers may prefer email or SMS contact instead of phone conversations.

11 Tips For Efficient Phone Etiquette for Business

So, what are some key phone etiquette rules? Here are 11 practical tips for business telephone etiquette that every employee should exercise when communicating with clients, customers, business contacts, and vendors:

When answering a work or business phone, do not allow the phone to ring for too long. Three times is the ideal number of times that a business phone should ring.
Ensure that you identify yourself at the beginning of every call. When answering the phone: “Hello” or “Good morning; customer support department, XYZ speaking.” When placing a call: state your name and the name of the person you are calling.
Hold the phone at a distance of about 2 fingers from your mouth for clarity. Do not keep repeating the same thing over and over again; the other party might become uninterested and hang up.
The tone of your voice can tell the other party a lot. Ensure you maintain a friendly yet professional tone. Avoid sounding nervous or aggressive. Speak with confidence and authority. Sit up in your chair when receiving phone calls to maintain your composure. Stand if it will be more comfortable.
Prepare for a call before dialing the number. Ensure that you have thought through what you want to discuss. Write your talking points down on a notepad, so you do not leave anything out. This will help you to be direct and precise should your calls be forwarded to a voicemail.
Listen to the other person without interruption. Under no circumstance should you interrupt them while they are passing on their information.
If you must transfer a call, inform the caller before doing so. Explain why you need to transfer their call. First, confirm that the person you are transferring the call to is available to attend to the customer. Also, let the customer know who they are being transferred to.
If you have to put a caller on hold, ask their permission first. You can also give them the option to leave a voicemail message. When you resume the call, ensure that you thank them for their patience.
Always turn off your phone/ringer during a business meeting or call. It is not polite if your phone rings in the middle of a business decision.
If you are expecting a call about the same time you enter a meeting, inform the caller beforehand about your meeting and that you will return their call as soon as you can.
When speaking to a client or business contact on the phone, keep a distance from anything that can be a distraction. These include office desk noises, keys jingling, rustling papers, eating, or chewing. If you have to take a phone call while driving, ensure that you use a hands-free device or a speakerphone for your car. Giving your caller your undivided attention translates to treating them with respect, which is the most important business telephone etiquette foundation.

Invest in Business Phone Services

The importance of business telephone etiquette explains why many businesses invest heavily in their communication department regarding personnel and equipment. Both small and large businesses invest in call forwarding services to enable them to keep the lines of communication open at all times. Call forwarding companies like Global Call Forwarding make these services available to businesses globally. They offer various business communication solutions like SMS forwarding, virtual assistants, and much more for seamless business communications.

How to Port a Phone Number From Vonage

Benjamin Roussey 16th November 2017 Learn, Technology

Number portability is a service that allows you to transfer your phone connection from one provider to another, without changing your phone number. Instead of being stuck with the same old service provider, you can instead upgrade to a better provider while keeping your existing phone number. This is the major difference between switching to a new provider and having to deal with getting a new number, and the convenience of porting your phone number.

There may be many reasons for porting your phone number. Some of them include:

You are moving: If you are moving to a new location that isn’t served by your current provider, you may need to change to a different carrier. Toll-free number porting is a good way to ensure you can retain your phone number at the new location while enjoying quality service.

Network coverage: Not every service provider has the same quality of network coverage. Some providers offer excellent coverage, while others have poor network coverage. If your provider does not offer you decent network coverage, it is a solid reason for you to look into porting your number.
Tariff: Obviously, tariff charges vary greatly from one provider to another. If your current plan is too expensive, porting your number to a more affordable service provider is a good idea.
Speed: Seamless connectivity is what everyone desires, but not every provider offers good speed. When you need to communicate with clients daily, you cannot afford to have a slow connection. In such a case, number porting is a stellar option.
Customer service: An important but often overlooked feature is customer service. It should be prompt and available all the time. It is always beneficial to port your number to a different provider that offers better customer service.

Porting your Vonage number to a different provider is the same as with any other number. The only issue with a Vonage number is that they do not list your phone number on the phone bill, but it is essential for proving that you have the authority to port the number.

In this article, we will guide you through the steps for porting your Vonage number to another provider. They are as follows:

Step 1: Gather All Your Documents

Before you even start the phone number porting process from Vonage, you need to have all the documents and information to prove that the number is yours and that you have the authority to port it. Collect all the documents associated with the number, including the most recent phone bill with your name on it. You will need to submit this to the provider you are porting your number to.

Since the phone bill doesn’t have your number on it, you have to contact Vonage and ask them to provide you with a Customer Service Report (CSR), which contains all the information they have on file for your number. You should also let them know that you are porting your number and ask if there are any formalities you are required to fulfill.

Step 2: Screenshot of your Account Page

This is another workaround to the issue of not having your number on the phone bill. If the CSR does not suffice, you have to provide further documentation. This can be done by taking a screenshot of your Vonage account page and submitting it to the new provider. Make sure that the page has your name and number on it because this is required to prove your authority to port the number.

Step 3: Submit Documents

Now that you have all the pertinent information regarding your number, it is time to submit it to the service provider you wish to port your number. Phone bill, CSR, screenshots, and any other information to prove your authority to port the number must be submitted to the provider. Always make sure that there is sufficient proof of your ownership of the phone number.

Step 4: Complete and Sign an LOA

This is an essential step. A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for any phone number port because this letter explicitly proves that the primary account holder (you, in this case), has authorized the transfer of the numbers to a new service provider by signing. This is an electronic document that can be completed, signed, and submitted online.

Read and complete the form carefully, making sure that the information you put in matches the information that the current provider has on file for the number. The form will be emailed to you when you initiate your porting request.

Step 5: In Case your Port is Rejected

A port getting rejected is a common occurrence. If your port gets rejected, you may only be given the official reason for the rejection by asking an agent of the new service provider. It may not be clear why your number was not ported, and you may not be given any information on whether or not there is anything you can do to fix this.

The best way to figure it out is by talking to a Vonage agent. This is also a good time to consult your CSR and find out if you provided the correct information to the carrier. If you think all information was correct, you should contact Vonage and get the issue fixed.

Step 6: Check your email

That’s all you have to do on your end to initiate the VoIP number porting process. Once the provider has all of your information, you will receive an email that states when you can expect to have your number ported. The majority of ports are simple, and they take a week to ten days, on average if all the steps are completed promptly. A few days before the port is completed, you will get another email that lets you know the day and time when your number will port. You can also find out the status of the port by talking to the customer service agent.

Keep in mind though, that number porting doesn’t always guarantee you will be able to keep your existing number. However, unless you are moving to a completely different country altogether, it is very possible that you may be able to retain your existing number by porting it from Vonage.

Call Recording Laws

Jomo Meritt 9th November 2017 Learn, Technology, Tips

Are you interested in recording a phone call with someone? Did you know it might not be that easy, depending on where you live? Yep, that’s true: whipping out your phone and pressing record may not be entirely legal in all situations.

For example, if the jurisdiction you are living in says that you must have an agreement from the individual or individuals that you want to record, then you must comply.

Otherwise, you will be breaking the law.

So, what are Call Recording Laws?

In case you’re wondering, there are Federal laws that allow recording of telephone calls and in-person conversations. However, this must be done with the permission of at least one of the people involved.

To Record, or not to Record? That is the Question

Call recording laws are tricky. This is because the rules are different in each state. Now, this begs the question of which state administers the law when you are talking to an individual in a different state. You see, what you might be able to get away within one state, might be different in another state because of the laws.

For instance, Georgia might require the consent of all parties to the conversation, while in California laws may be much more relaxed, or even more stringent. All you may need is the consent of one party and you’re good to go. However, it is important to understand that it is not always clear whether state or federal law applies, and if they do which of the two appropriate state laws controls them. If this is something you’re looking into, it would be wise to have all of your information understood ahead of time to ensure you’re not running into any legal issues.

Here’s something you can keep in mind; a good rule of thumb is that the government of the state in which the recording device is found will apply. A few states, however, might decide to adopt an alternate strategy while tending to the issue. There is always the possibility of a twist being thrown in, and having the law enforced from the state in which the individual being recorded is found. Sounds confusing?

In situations in which recording a call with parties in different states may be taking place, it is best to conform to the strictest laws that may apply, or just take things the easy way, and get everybody’s permission. It is, most certainly, by and large, lawful to record a discussion where every party involved in the gathering agrees to it.

Laws on Recording Conversations

Recording conversations might sound fun, but you need to exude caution. As mentioned earlier, laws on recording conversations are different everywhere. Now, the confusing part comes in when, unfortunately, it is not always easy for you to tell which code operates towards communication, particularly a phone call. For instance, if you’re in Florida and the person you are recording is in Alaska, then it is hard to say in advance whether state or federal law applies. Plus, suppose state law does apply; which of the two applicable state laws will control the circumstances at that point?

If that’s the case, if you decide to record a phone call with people in more than one state, then, you might want to play it safe and get the appropriate permission from everybody. Afterward, once you and the individual you are recording are both situated in the same state, at that point you can rely pretty surely on the law of that state.

Who’s Responsible for Authorizing the Recording of a Phone or In-Person Discussion?

Government law grants recording phone calls and in-person discussions with the assent of no less than one of the parties. See 18 U.S.C. 2511(2)(d). You might recognize this as the “one-party consent” rule. Under a one-party assent law, you can record a telephone call or conversation; just make sure you get permission from the other party, and you will be good to go. Moreover, on the off chance that you are not a party to the conversation, a “one-party assent” law will enable you to record the discussion or telephone call since your source gives permission and has full information that the conversation will be recorded.

At What Point Must you Get Consent from Everyone Required Prior to Recording?

So, are there card recording laws in your state? If you are living in one of the ten states that require the permission of every party to a phone call or discussion to make the recording legal, keep it mind that permission from just one party will not suffice. These “two-party consent” rules have been approved in the following;

California
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Montana
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
and Washington

Although they are known as “two-party assent” laws, permission must be acquired from each member of a telephone call or discussion if it includes more than two people. In some of these states, it may be sufficient if all gatherings to the call or discussion realize that you are recording and continue with the correspondence at any rate, regardless of the possibility that they don’t voice expressed permission.

Can you Record a Call or Discussion Without Consent from One of the Members?

It often does not even matter, whether a state or federal law governs the circumstances, it is almost always unlawful to record a private conversation or phone call to which you are not a party, do not have consent from a person involved, and could not have overheard the conversation naturally. Moreover, government and many state laws don’t allow you to secretly bug or use recording gadgets on the phone, in a home, office or eatery to covertly record a discussion between two individuals who have not agreed to do this.

Is there any Difference for the Government?

Now, when it comes to government issues, things are a little different. This is because discussions that cross with government-related business matters or problems conceivably influencing national security have a provision of laws that contrast from discussions being recorded between typical individual subjects or non-government organizations. Wiretapping additionally incorporates the reconnaissance or potentially recording of PC utilization, email trades, and remote correspondences, and it is often quite unlawful.

So, there you have it! A mini crash course on call recording laws!

What is the Do Not Call Registry?

Global Call Forwarding 9th November 2017 Learn, Technology, Tips

The National Do Not Call Registry is a compiled list of phone numbers belonging to people who do not wish to receive calls from vendors or telemarketers. The registry is administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is the United States’ consumer protection agency.

Created in 2003, the National Do Not Call Registry is designed to give consumers freedom of choice when it comes to receiving telemarketing calls. Only personal numbers can be added to the register. Business numbers and fax numbers are not covered. Once added, telephone numbers will remain on the registry until they are disconnected, reassigned, or until the consumer decides to remove their number from the list.

What Types of Calls are Covered by the Do Not Call Registry?

The ‘do not call’ regulations of the Telemarketing Sale Rule (TSR) cover any campaign, program or plan to sell services and goods through phone calls. This includes calls made by telemarketers who are acting on behalf of third-party vendors and vendors who are providing or offering services and goods to consumers in exchange for or as part of a telemarketing transaction.

The Do Not Call Registry’s provisions do not cover calls from charitable foundations, political organizations, telephone surveys, or companies with which the consumer already has a business relationship.

Organizations which are Exempt from the Do Not Call Registry

Your organization may be eligible for exempt status from the Do Not Call Registry if it is a non-profit organization or an organization that only makes calls for one of the following reasons:

A message that is purely informational is being delivered. For example, the call is being made to inform a consumer about the delivery status of an order.
The call is being made for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, which is not part of a plan to solicit purchases of services or goods.
The call is being made specifically to promote a political party or candidate.
The call is being made from one business to another business in order to solicit a purchase.
The call is being made in an attempt to solicit a charitable donation.
The call is being made to a consumer who already has an established business relationship with the organization making the call.

Calls may also be made to consumers who have given their written consent to receive calls from telemarketers.

Who Has Access to the Do Not Call Registry?

The only people who can access the Do Not Call Registry are telemarketers, vendors, and other service providers.

The numbers on the Do Not Call Registry may not be used for any purpose other than preventing telemarketing calls to the numbers listed on the registry. Use of the numbers for any other purpose could result in legal action being taken.

You can access the Do Not Call Registry through the telemarketing.donotcall.gov secure website. You must sign up and set up a profile by providing information about your organization. If you are accessing the registry on behalf of a vendor client, then you must also provide their information.

If you are required to use the Do Not Call Registry, then you must update your lists to match the registry every 31 days. Your access to the registry is only for the area codes for which you have paid.

Your access is unlimited until your annual fee has expired.

Paying for Access to the Do Not Call Registry

For organizations who wish to access the registry, information for up to five area codes is free. For subsequent data, there is an annual fee of $62 per area code, up to a maximum fee of $17,021. The fee is paid on an annual basis. The fee covers a period of twelve months following the first day of the month in which the subscription was paid. Exempt organizations may access the registry without paying a fee. An organization that pays the fee with a credit card will receive immediate access to the registry.

An organization that pays the subscription fee by electronic transfer of funds will gain access once the payment has cleared. Organizations that want to access information from more area codes than originally chosen may do so, but charges will incur if the total number of area codes is in excess of five. Additional charges of $62 per area code will be made during the first six months of the annual period. During the second six months, the organization will be charged $31 for each new area code.

Organizations’ Compliance and Liability

An organization that is a vendor or telemarketer may be liable for making telemarketing calls, even to numbers that are not listed in the Do Not Call Registry, if the vendor has not first accessed the registry and paid the appropriate fee. Each call that is made counts as a separate violation. Each violation can incur a fine of up to $43,792.

It is against the law for a vendor or telemarketer to call any number listed in the Do Not Call Registry unless the vendor or telemarketer has already established a business relationship with the consumer or the consumer has provided written consent to be called.

It is also against the law for a vendor or telemarketer to call a consumer within a given area code unless the vendor has first subscribed to the section of the Do Not Call Registry covering that area code. You can obtain more detailed information about compliance in the online guide Complying with the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

If you are thinking of trying to draw new business with a call campaign, before you dial, make sure you are aware of the National Do Not Call Registry rules and regulations.

Otherwise, you may end up on the receiving end of some heavy fines and your phone number might get marked as spam. Remember, it’s okay to call a client if you have an existing business relationship, or if you are taking a survey, but you must be aware of state Do Not Call lists.

10 of the Best Vanity Phone Numbers

Jomo Meritt 8th November 2017 Learn, Tips

Vanity Phone Numbers

Are you be considering a vanity number for your company? This might be a very good business move. Why? Well, a vanity number is not just an ordinary number. In fact, it will not just help your business sound more qualified, but it will also look more qualified as it bears a number that is at once, instantly recognizable.

You might not know this, but a vanity number is what can put any business at the top of their game. Wait, let’s slow down here. Maybe you’re not that familiar with vanity phone numbers. Okay, let’s pretend nobody knows. A vanity number is a toll-free or local telephone number for which a subscriber desires a specific sequence of numbers for marketing purposes. Starting to ring a bell? They are specifically chosen phone words (for example, 1-800-Battery or Food or 1-800-Flowers), that enable you to use your number as part of your branding, because they represent the wording of your company in some way or another.

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These vanity phone numbers did not just pop up out of the blue. They have been around since the early 1990s. Thus, a lot of standard vanity phone numbers have been taken and utilized.

Now, you might see numbers that end with digits that repeated themselves (such as -1111) are intensely publicized by taxi and food delivery corporations; for example, the pizza chain that has trademarked 967-1111, a local number in Toronto. If you get a vanity toll free number, it will more than likely have a word or a phrase, which is connected to your company. A lot of the times, it will be the name of your product, or business or service. So, your clienteles can recognize who you are and what kind of service you are bringing to the community.

You might not know this, but there are numerous benefits of a significant contact number. They are clear in expressions of branding your enterprise, but at the same time, they do hold possibly dozens of other advantages for your advertising and processes. They are memorable; they enable customers to instantly correlate your business with a specific industry, which gives you precedence in their psychology when choosing a brand; they are fun, which also helps customers to recognize you, apart from others who all sound the same.

With that said, keep reading and learn about 10 of the Best Vanity Phone Numbers in existence!

800-Giant-Men

If you are looking to do some moving, then this is the number you’ll want to call. The Gentle Giant moving company sure distinguishes how to grab your attention. Now it’s a massive, Boston-based moving and storage and, the word on the street is that they get the job done, big-time.

800-Virus-No

The is a famous number that you might have seen around once or twice. It is evident that McAfee uses this number to make it known just what their product is supposed to do. It may be a little backwards in language structure, but you still get the point.

800-Junk-USA

This may or may not be a number that you are familiar with. However, it’s a vanity number that has been out for quite some time. Apparently, it involves College Hunks Hauling Junk who discovered just the right 800 number. Their marketing scheme makes it completely memorable for those in need of the service.

800-44-Store

Now here’s a number that sounds like it comes in handy. This public storage company might not have obtained the correct vanity number they were initially after, but nonetheless, you get the point, and it’s something that is just easy to remember at the end of the day. Anyway, if you’re looking for packaging and storage of goods then you might want to give them a call!

800-905-Geek

If you’re intrigued by vanity numbers that remind you of your nerdy high-school days, well this is it. Now, Geeks on Call are the people who will help you get your computer, or IT matters taken care of in a jiffy. More significantly, they aren’t shy to tell you that they are geeks; their 800 number is proof of their pride!

1 800 Go Fedex

The best vanity phone number will be a memorable phone number like 1 800-Go-FedEx. Now, this is a number that will always keep you on the top of your client’s cognizance.

1-800-HURT-NOW

Talk about a number that sticks out like a sore thumb, well this is definitely one! If you have a personal injury, you might want to give these guys a call. A vanity number like this one delivers an extra branding muscle and a memorable substitute. This is just one of numerous examples of how vanity toll-free numbers can increase business for legal authorities.

800-RU-Mouse – Mouse Systems Corp

Now, if you are having a bad day and you want to get a giggle or two in, vanity numbers like these will get you a laugh in. This company completely understood the idea of a catchy vanity number because this one does this trick when it comes to marketing purposes.

800-Dog-Poop

Now, if you are looking for a vanity phone number that will make you die laughing, this one will do the trick. If you have a dog and you’re looking for somebody that can help you with getting rid of the extra bowel movement lying around, then these are the people that you will want to get in contact with. Yes, if you haven’t already guessed it, they are a poop-scooping business.

800-IGo-HoJo

If you are still looking for laughs, then you’ve got to see this number. Apparently, Howard Johnson’s hotel franchise has a sense of humor as well because this number will get you on the floor, laughing out loud. You must admit that the creativity and the marketing for the vanity phone number are not bad at all.

These ten best vanity phone numbers are the kind of numbers that will make any business well-liked among their prospects and clienteles. This is because they can think of them and can with no trouble remember their business at the time of their necessity. Vanity phone numbers are precisely what you need to prosper in the business world.

Give your marketing efforts a boost with a vanity number today!

Building Credibility With Toll Free Numbers

Valerie Stitt 1st November 2017 How To's, Learn

Business Credibility

A business can succeed in creating the perfect product or may have found the perfect solution that a market needs, but still struggle when it comes to credibility. Customers can be very skeptical when it comes to being offered new products and services, especially from a new company or start-up.

When new businesses discover new markets where they can offer their products and services, they often spend more time strategizing on how to convince prospective customers about their offerings and how they will benefit from them. However, the major challenges that they face are often related to credibility and how prospective customers will perceive new products and services. More importantly, customers want to know more about these new businesses that are offering these solutions.

The skepticism of customers towards a new business is rational even when they are impressed with the products being offered. They will always ask questions about the business and the products being offered to them. Therefore, it is the duty of new businesses to build some level of trust in order to win customers over.

For large businesses that already have a well-established reputation through many years of quality products and service delivery, selling a new product is a lot easier as they can resonate better with customers. Over their many years of existence, large businesses have developed numerous ways of building credibility and one of such ways is using a toll-free number.

In this article, we will focus on how businesses build credibility with toll-free numbers.

Toll-Free Numbers are Essential For Building Business Credibility

There are a number of factors that influence how customers perceive or assess the credibility of a business. One of such factors is the presence of a business near a customer’s location or the sense of it. Having toll-free numbers is one of the methods that businesses use in order to establish their presence. Toll-free numbers help businesses to extend their presence to as many places as possible, thereby building solid credibility.

It is often true that a business may offer a better product or service to prospective customers, but it may lack the presence that a bigger business has, which is often a key factor to consider in a competitive market. Bigger companies will always leverage on credibility when the issue of reputation is raised, while smaller businesses often play catch up in that area. However, the playing field has become quite level with the development of toll-free numbers; allowing smaller businesses to establish a business presence without having to be physically present.

Bigger businesses are better funded, which means that they can afford to buy or rent a new office structure in any country that they have identified opportunities within. Many years ago, it would have been impossible for smaller businesses to compete because there were no methods of establishing a business presence in a country of interest without having a new office or at least a few personnel. Today, smaller businesses can now compete for a share of the customer base easily due to technology.

When businesses utilize tools such as international toll-free numbers, their credibility becomes stronger and customers are able to trust them even better. Having an international toll-free number is another way of showing your customers that your business is closer to them rather than being a foreign brand, trying to sell them products and services. With the benefit of toll-free numbers, your business can be seen as international with a local presence.

A toll-free number through which customers can call your business is a very effective way of proving to them that your company can deliver. Customers are more comfortable with patronizing businesses that have toll-free numbers because they need the assurance that they can contact them should they have any inquiries or complaints. Also, they get to call without incurring any long-distance call charges. Therefore, a small business that is serious about establishing a presence can benefit from toll-free numbers.

A business can portray itself as a local brand or an international brand depending on the type of toll-free number that it is subscribed to.

International toll-free numbers are ideal for businesses looking for an international appeal while being easily accessible to customers in multiple countries. Businesses with a specific country of interest can leverage on country-specific toll-free numbers such as USA toll-free numbers, Italy toll-free numbers, and so on.

In order for businesses to fully maximize their toll-free numbers, they must place their 1-800 number on all their advertising platforms, such as handbills, billboards, flyers, radio and TV ads, newsletters, social media, and so forth. This way, prospective customers have your contact information available to them at all times.

Vanity Numbers

Vanity numbers are also a great way to make your toll-free numbers memorable by interchanging digits for letters. A vanity number also provides a great opportunity for branding. A business can interchange numbers with a word that resonates with the brand for better results.

How Do I Sign Up for Toll-Free Number Services

Global Call Forwarding is a leading toll-free number provider that offers services for businesses. Signing up for a toll-free number is very easy. All you need to do is visit the Global Call Forwarding website. They offer different plans depending on the volume of incoming calls that your business receives monthly, as well as other plans like minute-based packages. They also offer additional services like SMS forwarding, roll-over minutes, international toll-free numbers, and many more to boost your business’ communications.

Other Benefits Of Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers allow businesses to centralize their operations. Because toll-free numbers can be used from any location in the world, businesses with employees in multiple countries can communicate using just a single number.
Due to the portability of toll-free numbers, your business can retain their toll-free numbers even when they move from one network provider to another. Global Call forwarding ensures that your business enjoys uninterrupted services.
Global Call Forwarding offers additional features such as call forwarding and voicemail, all of which ensure that you do not miss a call even when you are on the go.
Your business can take advantage of toll-free numbers in generating leads. Because toll-free numbers are free to call, they help increase customer engagement.
Toll-free numbers are great for tracking customer location. If you have dedicated toll-free numbers for each of your marketing activities in different countries, you can easily identify where calls are coming from and where you need to increase marketing efforts.