833 Numbers Released Date Changed

833 Numbers Released Date Changed

The release date for the new toll-free prefix (1-833) has been changed from April 22, 2017, to June 3rd, 2017.  

 

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A new toll-free prefix will be made available by the Wireline Competition Bureau & Somos (the toll-free number administrator). Shortly you’ll be able to select phone numbers from the newly released 833 toll-free numbers through IPComms. Remember, 833 numbers work just like 800 numbers and every other previously released prefix (888, 877, 866, 855, and 844). This new prefix just means that you now have a lot more choices when it comes to selecting your specific phone number.

This means that vanity phone numbers that may already be taken under older prefixes (e.g. 1-800-FLOWERS) will be made available as 833 numbers. So, if you have some company branding to do and an easy-to-remember toll-free number would be a great addition to your business, the time has come. Reach out to your IPComms' customer care representative for details on how to get that perfect number.

April 22, 2017

New Toll-Free Prefix (1-833)

833 Numbers Available June 3rd, 2017!

On June 3rd, 2017, a new toll-free prefix will be made available by the Wireline Competition Bureau & Somos (the toll-free number administrator). Shortly you’ll be able to select phone numbers from the newly released 833 toll-free numbers through IPComms. Remember, 833 numbers work just like 800 numbers and every other previously released prefix (888, 877, 866, 855, and 844). This new prefix just means that you now have a lot more choices when it comes to selecting your specific phone number.

This means that vanity phone numbers that may already be taken under older prefixes (e.g. 1-800-FLOWERS) will be made available as 833 numbers. So, if you have some company branding to do and an easy-to-remember toll-free number would be a great addition to your business, the time has come. Reach out to your IPComms' customer care representative for details on how to get that perfect number.

What is a Virtual Phone Number?

What is a Virtual Phone Number?

What is a Virtual Phone Number?

We hear this question a lot. What exactly is a virtual phone number, and how are they used? To understand why they're called virtual phone numbers, you must understand the history of regular phone numbers (often called DIDs).

A little background about phone numbers.  Let’s go back a few decades.  In the past, phone numbers were physically assigned to a piece of communications hardware such as an office PBX, voicemail system, or conferencing system.  This required that the local phone company deliver physical phone lines to the office location of the intended equipment. Inbound calls to these numbers were only answered by that hardware at that location.

 

Jumping forward to the present…

Phone service providers have the ability to deliver phone numbers to virtually any location (get it?  “Virtual”).  Providers of these virtual numbers can either deliver them by simply using something like call forwarding; where an incoming call to that number is just passed on to any predetermined phone line over the traditional public switched phone network (or PSTN for short).  The recipient can notify the provider of which landline phone number they would like their “Virtual” number delivered to, and they provider handles the transfer seamlessly.  While convenient, this method has one major drawback – cost.  While the number can be forwarded to any existing landline number, there is an added cost of delivering calls to a long distance or even more so, an international destination.  However, technology and a few megabits of internet bandwidth can easily solve that problem.

VoIP makes things even better…

The introduction of Voice Over IP, or VoIP, allows calls to be forwarded to the intended destination over any broadband internet connection.  The recipient only needs to have a VoIP phone or VoIP software available on their end to accept the incoming call.  While the technology might be a bit complicated, the concept is rather simple.  Incoming phone calls to the virtual phone number are first routed to the VoIP service provider, where after a bit of VoIP magic, the call is converted to Internet packets where it is then delivered over to the recipient via the internet.  This eliminates the need for physical phone lines from the local phone company; thus drastically lowers the cost of delivery. 

Furthermore, VoIP allows the called party to be physically located virtually (there’s that word again) anywhere, even in another country.  As long as they have access to the public internet, the service provider can locate their VoIP phone and deliver their calls. 

How do I get a virtual phone number?

With IPComms, you simply choose a virtual phone number (or transfer your number to us) and tell us where to forward your calls (mobile, landline, or VoIP). When a call is placed to your number, we'll forward the calls automatically. IPComms maintains a supply of national and global DIDs (virtual phone numbers) from more than 8000 locations, so we are sure to have the number that you need. You can even add multiple DIDs from multiple area codes to project a virtual presence in more than one city.

Learn more about virtual phone numbers

7 Benefits of SIP Trunking

1. SIP trunking can make the most out of your existing non-VoIP PBX hardware.

IPComms SIP trunking is an affordable way to phase your existing PBX hardware into the world of Voice Over IP (VoIP). Simply by adding a VoIP gateway to any legacy PBX, a business can benefit from low-cost incoming and outgoing VoIP calls provided by IPComms.

2. SIP trunks are the best way to get the most out of your IP PBX.

If you already have a VoIP-based business phone system, simply add IPComms SIP trunks and start enjoying quality local and long-distance calls. We support the most popular IP PBXs, such as Asterisk, PBX in a Flash, Avaya, FreePBX, Trixbox, Switchvox, Fonality, Elastix, 3CX, Linksys, Grandstream, TalkSwitch, and Aastra.

Each individual SIP trunk can support a single concurrent call, unlimited inbound calls and either pay-as-you-go outbound or unlimited outbound domestic calling.

3. SIP trunks can expand easily as your business grows.

With SIP Trunking, most services can be enabled within 24 hours of ordering. As your company grows, SIP trunks allow you to increase your network capacity without installing physical landlines - all service additions are delivered seamlessly over your broadband connection.

4. SIP trunks enable communications over multiple geographic locations.

SIP trunks have no geographic limitations - SIP trunks are not installed on site physically. Instead, they are provisioned over your existing broadband internet connection. In contrast, a traditional PRI service is delivered over a T1 copper pair which must physically be brought to your office.

5. SIP trunks provide instant expansion into new markets.

A single corporate SIP trunking connection can provide enough capacity to service any size business from SMB to a large entire enterprise. Multi-site enterprises can use a single SIP trunking account rather than multiple PSTN connections.

6. Save money by combining voice and data across your existing broadband connection.

The typical business uses only a fraction of their overall bandwidth for their data needs, leaving as much as 80% of their available bandwidth underutilized. IPComms' SIP trunks eliminate the need to have both a data and a voice circuit by moving your voice communications onto your existing broadband connection. Best of all, you don't have to sacrifice reliability or quality.

7. SIP trunks are inherently fault-tolerant.

Natural disasters are an ever-looming risk. Unforeseen accidents, fire or even a disgruntled employee can cause catastrophic damage to a business and its revenue. Ensuring business continuity is vital for protecting a business and its assets. VoIP is unique in its design. Its ubiquity and autonomous design allow for a much higher degree of fault tolerance than land-lines or even PRIs.

All of IPComms SIP trunks offer free fail-over routing and load-balancing of calls between multiple office locations. So, with IPComms and a small bit of pre-planning, you can rest assured that your company and its communications will be able to withstand even the worst of disasters.