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6 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers in France

Seamless communication is the cornerstone of any successful business—especially when expanding or operating in a competitive market like France.

Whether you’re a local startup in Paris or an international enterprise looking to establish a strong presence in Lyon or Marseille, having a reliable and feature-rich phone system is critical to delivering great customer experiences and maintaining smooth internal operations.

That’s where virtual phone numbers come in. They allow businesses to establish a local presence in France without the need for physical offices. However, virtual phone services vary in quality, reliability, and advanced features. The right provider should integrate with your communication infrastructure effortlessly, help improve global sales and customer support, and ensure top-level security and flexibility.

In this comparison of France virtual phone number providers, we’ll go over:

Types of France Virtual Numbers

Let’s map out the different types of France virtual numbers before we explore France virtual phone number providers:

Toll-Free Numbers:
France toll-free numbers enable companies to provide customers with a free calling option for customers within France. These numbers begin with 0800 and are perfect for helplines, sales inquiries, and customer service. The company pays the call fees, but the caller is not charged for calls to these numbers. These numbers are not accessible from outside the country. Format for France toll-free number: 0800 xx xx xx.

Geographic Numbers:
France local numbers have area codes and are associated with particular French cities or regions, like Paris (187) or Marseille (484). Calls to these numbers incur local calling fees and are recognizable by French locals, making them more likely to answer these calls. Format for France local number: +33 01 87 xx xx xx.

National Numbers:
National numbers are non-geographic virtual numbers that cover the entire country. These numbers, which typically begin with 09, allow companies to operate nationwide without being restricted to a particular city. These numbers are usually reachable from anywhere in the world. Format for France national number: +33 09 xx xx xx xx.

We also offer Local 2-Way Voice numbers for France, which support inbound and outbound calling. These local routing numbers enable users to display an in-country caller ID while making outbound calls and receiving inbound calls using a local phone number.

How to Choose a Reliable France Phone Number Provider

A trustworthy provider ensures smooth communication, economical pricing, and advanced features that meet your requirements. Here’s how to choose the best France virtual phone number providers:

1. Recognize Your Communication Requirements
What do you need a France virtual number for? Are you building out a regional service center or expanding sales outreach? This will help you determine number type needed, potential usage, routing requirements, features needed, and so on.

2. Set a Budget
Evaluate the cost structures offered by various providers. Check for essential factors like subscription fees, call rates, and other expenses. While some providers have monthly or annual memberships, others provide pay-as-you-go alternatives. Select a provider that offers high-quality services and affordable pricing plans.

3. Evaluate Features
Assess all advanced and premium features and compare them to your needs. Most providers should offer core features like routing, international forwarding, IVR, etc. Some may offer premium features such as CRM integrations and AI-driven insights. Take time to understand how these might fit into your workflows.

4. Analyze Call Quality and Network Reliability
A provider service should offer few call interruptions and excellent call quality. Ask about their VoIP call quality, potential latency problems, and service uptime guarantees. You can also assess a service’s reliability by reading customer reviews or using a free trial.

5. Review Customer Support
When technological problems occur, responsive customer service is essential. Choose a provider that offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat.

6 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers in France

If your business is expanding into France or already operating there, choosing the right global virtual phone number provider is key to ensuring reliable, professional, and cost-effective communication. Here are 6 top providers offering France virtual numbers and advanced cloud phone features to support your growth.

1. United World Telecom

United World Telecom has been delivering global telecommunications solutions since 1996. Known for its reliability and wide coverage, the company offers France virtual phone numbers and international call forwarding services with robust features designed for businesses of all sizes.

Their solutions are ideal for teams looking to streamline international communication, manage remote support, and maintain a local presence across borders.

Virtual Number Plans:
The monthly rates for United World Telecom’s France virtual phone number plans range from $12.95 (12.50 euros) to $248.95 (240.31 euros).

Features:

  • DID Numbers
  • Outbound Calling with Dynamic Caller ID
  • Unlimited Phone Extensions
  • Call Recording Software
  • International Call Forwarding
  • IVR & Advanced Routing
  • Call Transfer
  • AI Insights
  • CRM Integrations
  • 24/7 Support
  • Dedicated Account Management
  • Analytics & Reports, and more.

2. Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding is a trusted provider of cloud-based business phone services, offering virtual phone numbers in France and over 160 countries since 2007. The service helps global businesses establish a local presence, improve caller experience, and access advanced call management features for sales and support teams. Such choices include France SIP trunking, VoIP features, AI-driven insights, and more.

Virtual Number Plans:
France’s virtual phone numbers from Global Call Forwarding range from $12.95 (12.50 euros) to $248.95 (240.31 euros).

Features:

  • IVR / Auto-Attendant
  • Advanced Routing (Time of Day Routing, VIP Routing, Location-Based)
  • Simultaneous Ringing
  • Hosted Call Recording
  • Voicemail-to-Email & Transcription
  • Call Transcription & Translation
  • Call Activity Reports
  • Custom Reports
  • Outbound Calling, and more.

3. Onoff

With licenses to operate in 21 countries, Onoff Telecom provides numbers from 17 nations. African, Asian, European, and American numbers are available.

Onoff offers virtual numbers via mobile apps. They provide French phone numbers that may be utilized via their app for voicemail, texting, and phone calls. It is mainly intended for small businesses and individual users, it might not be appropriate for larger organizations.

Virtual Number Plans:
Onoff offers virtual phone numbers in France starting at €4.92 per month. For premium services, an additional €2.99 per month applies.

Features:

  • Visual Voicemail
  • Multilanguage Voicemail
  • Call Forwarding
  • SMS to Multiple Recipients
  • Internet Class through VoIP, and more.

4. Octopush

Octopush provides virtual numbers as part of its service and focuses on SMS marketing. It is appropriate for companies wishing to run SMS campaigns since it offers French phone numbers that can be used to send and receive SMS messages.

Virtual Number Plans:
Octopush offers a range of pricing categories based on features and messaging volumes, with monthly prices ranging from €12.04 to €36.11.

Features:

  • Bulk SMS Sending
  • Personalized Sender IDs
  • SMS Scheduling
  • API Integration
  • Detailed Analytics, and more.

5. Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom is one of France’s major telecommunications providers, offering a wide range of fixed and mobile services for both individuals and businesses. With a strong national network and enterprise-grade solutions, Bouygues enables companies located in France to set up virtual phone numbers, manage call flows, and maintain high-quality communications across locations.

Virtual Number Plans:
Bouygues offers a promotional rate of €9.90 per month (excluding VAT) for the first 12 months. After this initial period, the subscription renews at €14.90 per month (excluding VAT).

Features:

  • IVR
  • Call Forwarding
  • Call Transfer
  • Call Interception
  • On-Hold Music
  • Virtual Switchboard
  • Customer Support Tailored to French Enterprises, and more.

6. SFR Business

SFR is another leading telecom provider in France with extensive experience serving both consumers and enterprises. Through its SFR Business division, the company offers tailored communication solutions—including virtual phone numbers and cloud telephony services—for businesses looking to establish or enhance their presence in France.

SFR Business works with any phone standard and gives you access to various professional VoIP services. It handles all of your subscriptions and phone calls, guarantees service continuity, and secures your voice access, calls, and equipment without requiring you to replace them.

Virtual Number Plans:
The pricing plans for virtual phone numbers in France start at €46.50 per month and can reach up to €84.50 per month, depending on the selected features and services.

Features:

  • VoIP & SIP Telephony
  • IVR and Advanced Routing
  • Internet and Network Solutions
  • Cybersecurity services
  • IoT Services, and more.

Get France Virtual Phone Numbers

Get your France virtual number now! United World Telecom offers quick and hassle-free installation and activation, so you can start using your number in no time. Whether you want to expand your business, improve your communication, or maintain a presence in France, our service is the perfect solution. Sign up online or chat with us to get started – we’re here to help!

Best Canada Virtual Phone Number Providers

Whether you’re expanding into the Canadian market, optimizing customer interactions, or ensuring seamless internal communication, selecting the right Canada virtual phone number provider is crucial.

Not all virtual phone services offer the same level of call quality, reliability, and advanced features. The right virtual number provider should integrate smoothly with your existing IT infrastructure, support global sales and customer service operations, and deliver enterprise-grade reliability and flexibility.

In this comparison of Canada virtual phone number providers, we’ll go over:

Types of Canada Virtual Numbers

When expanding your business to Canada, choosing the right phone number type that corresponds with your business targets is essential. Whether your company focuses on local customers or wants to provide toll-free support, there is a number type that is the appropriate virtual number for you. Here’s an overview of the most common types of Canada numbers:

Toll-Free Number: Toll-free numbers in Canada let customers call your business without paying. These numbers are perfect for sales and customer service phone lines as they encourage more calls from customers. Canada toll-free numbers are easy for customers to remember and help businesses increase credibility and customer trust.

Canada toll-free number format: 1 (800) xxx-xxxx.

Geographic Number: Geographic numbers are associated with specific Canadian cities and have local area codes like (587) for Banff, Alberta or (416) for Toronto, Ontario. They are ideal for companies building a regional presence and targeting local audiences as they are cost-effective and improve your local marketing strategy.

Canada local number format: +1 (587) xxx-xxxx.

We also offer Local 2-Way Voice numbers for Canada that support both inbound and outbound calling.

How to Choose a Reliable Canada Phone Number Provider

Choosing the best Canada virtual number provider is vital for ensuring smooth customer service. To make an informed choice, consider the following:

1. Identify Your Company’s Requirements: Think about the purpose of the number: for sales, customer service, or local marketing. Decide if you require a local or toll-free number.

2. Look for Advanced Features: Seek calling features that offer value, including call forwarding, customized voicemail, call tracking and analytics, call recording, IVR, call transcriptions, and many others. These features will help improve caller experience and customer interactions.

3. Evaluate Reliability and Coverage: Select a provider like United World Telecom with an excellent track record of reliable support and steady uptime. Ensure they have broad coverage throughout Canada, including accessing several area codes for geographic numbers.

4. Check the Quality of Customer Support: A trustworthy provider offers live chat, email, and phone help 24/7. Verify their expertise and responsiveness to ensure you’ll get help when needed.

5. Evaluate the Budget and Pricing: Ensure your new provider meets your budget requirements. Seek out transparent prices with no additional costs, and look for flexible payment options, if applicable.

6. Browse through Testimonials and Reviews: Check customer recommendations and reviews to learn about the companies’ experiences working with the provider. Positive reviews always indicate a reliable and effective business.

8 Virtual Phone Number Providers in Canada

With a trustworthy provider, you can interact with customers reliably, project a more professional image, and use advanced features to handle calls effectively. We’ve put together a list of the top 8 best virtual phone number providers in Canada, describing their features, offerings, and costs (as of the date of publishing), following your company’s requirements:

1. United World Telecom

United World Telecom is a global leader in business voice solutions, offering reliable virtual phone numbers and advanced call management tools for organizations of all sizes. Established in 1996, the company has almost three decades of experience delivering high-quality international voice services to businesses in more than 160 countries.

Known for its enterprise-grade reliability, 24/7 customer support, and flexible plans, United World Telecom enables businesses to build a strong local presence in Canada and beyond.

Virtual Number Plans:
Canada virtual phone number plans start at $7.95/month (CAD 11.40/month). These phone numbers’ costs, however, may differ based on many factors, including:

  • Number type (local, toll-free, mobile)
  • Premium features selected
  • Usage volume and plan tier
  • Call destination and per-minute charges
  • Plan type

Features:
United World Telecom offers several features designed to improve business communication. These features are adaptable to your company’s requirements, ensuring smooth connectivity and enhanced customer service:

  • International Call Forwarding
  • Call Recording
  • Cloud IVR
  • Time of Day Routing
  • Caller ID Management
  • Softphone
  • AI Insights
  • Location-Based Routing
  • CRM Integrations, and more.

2. Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding is a trusted provider of international virtual phone numbers and business voice solutions. Since 2007, the company has specialized in helping businesses expand globally by offering local, toll-free, and international numbers in over 160 countries—including extensive coverage throughout Canada.

Known for its intuitive platform and scalable plans, Global Call Forwarding supports businesses with cloud telephony solutions that enhance flexibility and responsiveness.

Virtual Number Plans:
The cost of Canada virtual phone numbers starts at $7.95 (CAD 11.40) per month.

Features:
Global Call Forwarding includes a comprehensive feature set designed to support high-performance business communication:

  • Voicemail and Voicemail Transcription
  • Advanced Call Routing
  • Time-Based Routing
  • Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
  • Canada SIP Trunks
  • Outbound Calling with Local Caller ID
  • Call Recording, and more.

3. Intermedia Unite

Intermedia Unite is a unified communications platform that offers VoIP phone systems, video conferencing, chat, and file sharing. As part of its cloud PBX solution, Intermedia provides Canadian business numbers, although the platform is geared more toward all-in-one communication rather than virtual number services specifically.

Intermedia is best suited for companies looking to centralize communications, though its offering may be more comprehensive than necessary for businesses that just need inbound virtual number capabilities or international call forwarding.

Virtual Number Plans:
Intermedia Unite’s pricing plans begin at $22.99 (CAD 33.08) per month and can go up to $32.99 (CAD 47.47) monthly, including additional pro plans.

Features:

  • Intermedia Unite offers an array of features, including:
  • Video Conferencing and Screen Sharing
  • File Backup and Sharing
  • Call Management
  • Integrated Collaboration Tools with Salesforce, Microsoft, and many others.

4. GoToConnect

GoTo Connect is a cloud-based VoIP service from the GoTo (formerly LogMeIn) suite of business tools. It combines phone, meeting, and messaging services into one platform. Designed primarily for small to mid-sized businesses, GoTo Connect offers Canadian virtual numbers alongside its broader Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) offering.

While the platform is easy to use and integrates with other GoTo products, it may be more suited for businesses looking for a full UCaaS suite rather than just virtual phone numbers or international call forwarding capabilities. Those focused purely on virtual number services may find more flexibility with specialized providers.

Virtual Number Plans:
GoTo Connect offers three monthly pricing plans: $26 (CAD 33), $34 (CAD 46), and $80 (CAD 103).

Features:
They offer numerous features, which are as follows:

  • AI Optimization
  • Screen Sharing
  • Virtual Fax
  • Call Management
  • International Calling
  • Call Transfering
  • VoIP Calling Apps
  • Voicemail

5. FlyNumber

FlyNumber is a budget-friendly provider of virtual phone numbers, including Canadian local and toll-free options. It’s designed for individuals and small businesses that need a basic, no-frills solution for receiving international calls or establishing a local presence.

However, you must use a third-party Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP) if you require advanced calling features or the ability to connect your IP phone or landline. Due to FlyNumber’s internal constraints on incoming calls, conference calling is restricted to two callers and faxing is also unavailable. While affordable, FlyNumber offers limited advanced features and may not scale well for larger business needs or complex call management requirements.

Virtual Number Plans:
FlyNumber’s virtual phone number pricing start at $2.95 (CAD 4.25) monthly.

Features:
FlyNumber comes with the following features:

  • Pay-as-you-go Pricing
  • VoIP Solution
  • Basic Call Forwarding
  • SMS/Text Messages
  • IVR
  • Time-Based Routing

6. iPlum

iPlum is a mobile-focused VoIP solution that offers virtual phone numbers in Canada and other countries, primarily through an app-based platform. It’s tailored for professionals and small teams that need a second business line on their mobile devices.

iPlum is a good fit for freelancers, consultants, and small business owners who want a portable business number, though it may not meet the needs of enterprises seeking a full-featured virtual phone system.

Virtual Number Plans:
iPlum has three per-user pricing plans: $8.99 (CAD 12.94), $14.99 (CAD 21.57), and $19.99 (CAD 28.77).

Features:
iPlum has a wide range of features:

  • Second-Line Calling via Mobile App
  • Calling and Texting
  • Call Recording
  • Voicemail Transcriptions
  • Auto-Attendant/IVR

7. Telus

Telus is one of Canada’s largest telecom companies, offering a range of phone, internet, and mobile services. Its business phone services include virtual numbers, VoIP, and unified communications options primarily bundled with other services.

Telus offers strong infrastructure and nationwide support, but its business phone solutions may be more costly or complex than needed for small businesses seeking only virtual number functionality.

Virtual Number Plans:
The pricing plan of Telus starts at $25 (C$ 35.98) per month.

Features:
Telus comes up with a variety of features, such as:

  • Call Display (Inbound Number)
  • Call Logs
  • Integrated Mobile Apps
  • Multi Level IVR
  • Audio Conferencing
  • Video Conferencing
  • Automatic Call Recording
  • Bundled Mobile and Internet Options, and more.

8. Rogers Communications

Rogers Communications, another major Canadian telecom provider, offers business phone services as part of its broader suite of communication and connectivity solutions. Virtual and toll-free numbers are available, generally within a broader VoIP or hosted PBX package.

Rogers is a suitable option for businesses already using its network infrastructure, but may not offer the flexibility or international reach of providers focused solely on virtual number services.

Virtual Number Plans:
Rogers Communications’s basic pricing plan starts at $26.00 (CAD 37.41) per month and can go up to $34.95 (CAD 50.29).

Features:
The features are as follows:

  • VoIP-Based Calling
  • Call Forwarding
  • Conference Calling
  • Cloud-Based Integrations

Get Canada Virtual Phone Numbers Now!

Choosing the right virtual phone number provider in Canada depends on your business’s size, goals, and communication needs. Whether you’re a startup looking for an affordable second line, a growing company needing advanced call routing, or an international business expanding into the Canadian market, there’s a solution that fits.

Entering the Canadian market gives you access to a thriving and innovative economy. You can start exploring with a local number and virtual presence and then use a virtual number to test your products and services in Canada.

As a leader in international telecommunications, United World Telecom is ready to help you realize the potential of the Canadian market with our reliable services, advanced features, and affordable pricing plans.

Are you aiming to expand in Canada? Contact United World Telecom, and we’ll help you flourish! Ask for a demo or chat with us online right now!

Phone Number Testing: What it is, Why it Matters, and How to Do it Right

Business phone numbers are a crucial part of any business’s communication strategy, whether for customer support, sales, or global operational coordination. However, a number that isn’t reachable, has poor call quality, or fails to connect from certain locations or networks can create missed opportunities and frustrated customers.

That’s why phone number testing is essential. It helps businesses verify connectivity, detect carrier issues, and maintain seamless communication, so every customer call gets through as intended.

In this guide, we’ll break down what phone number testing is, why it’s important, and how to test phone numbers effectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • Toll-free numbers are not often accessible internationally—businesses must test locally for reachability.
  • Missed calls = lost revenue—ensure all numbers work across different carriers and regions.
  • Work with your telecom provider to test and diagnose potential connectivity problems.
  • Testing can be ongoing, not just when issues arise.
  • Use a mix of one-off and scheduled testing to verify number performance.

What is Phone Number Testing?

Phone number testing is the process of verifying the reachability, call quality, and performance of a phone number across different networks and regions.

Businesses often use local, toll-free, and international numbers to connect with customers worldwide. However, not all numbers are accessible from outside their associated country, making it difficult to test from abroad.

For example, a Germany toll-free number cannot be dialed from outside the country. Other countries’ toll-free numbers may only be reachable from specific carriers.

By testing phone numbers, businesses can:

  • Confirm that inbound calls connect properly.
  • Detect potential call failures or unexpected routing issues.
  • Evaluate call quality, high latency, and audio clarity.

Why Should Businesses Test Their Phone Numbers?

Your phone number is often the first touchpoint customers have with your business. If they can’t reach you, they may move on to a competitor or assume your company is unresponsive.

Here are some key reasons why businesses should regularly test their phone numbers:

1. Ensure Toll-Free and International Number Accessibility

Most toll-free numbers are not accessible from outside their designated country. If a business wants to test its international toll-free numbers (ITFNs) from abroad, it must:

  • Work with a telecom provider that can verify international reachability.
  • Use a local partner in our network or an in-country tester to confirm connectivity.

2. Prevent Revenue Loss and Improve Customer Experience

A malfunctioning phone number can result in lost sales opportunities and frustrated customers. Businesses invest in marketing and customer service—but if customers can’t reach you, those investments are wasted.

3. Identify Call Routing Issues Before Customers Notice

Numbers may sometimes route calls incorrectly due to carrier issues. Testing ensures that:

  • Calls reach the intended destination.
  • IVR systems function correctly, and DTMF tones are detected.
  • The audio quality is clear and free of delays.

4. Monitor Call Quality and Network Performance

Even if a number connects, the call quality may be poor due to:

  • High latency (delays in call transmission).
  • Distorted audio or dropped VoIP calls.
  • Inconsistent call routing between carriers.

Regular performance testing allows businesses to track network performance and address quality concerns proactively.

Related: How to Achieve the Best VoIP Call Quality for Your Business?

How to businesses test toll-free numbers

How Do Businesses Test Their Phone Numbers?

So, what are your options for phone number testing?

1. One-on-One Testing via a Telecom Provider

Many businesses test phone numbers reactively—they reach out to their provider when they notice an issue.

At United World Telecom, we often test numbers for customers using local in-country partners who manually test numbers from different networks. Other times, we use a third-party testing tool to verify call connectivity. Our customers also have access to our built-in phone number testing feature in the control panel, which lets them run quick on-demand tests or schedule recurring checks on their own numbers for ongoing reliability.

Testing this way is useful for businesses that:

  • Need to troubleshoot a specific phone number.
  • Want to test one ITFN at a time.
  • Experience intermittent connectivity issues.

2. Scheduled Testing for Multiple Numbers

For businesses with multiple international phone numbers, one-off testing is not enough. A better approach is to schedule recurring tests for:

  • All toll-free and international numbers used for customer support.
  • High-priority business lines (e.g., VIP customer support or sales hotlines).

For example, we can set up recurring testing of a batch of numbers every 3 months to detect issues. Then, document failures and call quality reports for future reference.

3. Using a Third-Party Testing Tool

For large enterprises, automated testing tools like Klearcom provide:

  • Automated dial-out testing from in-country networks.
  • Performance metrics (audio quality, post-dial delay, IVR functionality).
  • Network reachability verification to check if numbers are accessible across different carriers.

While automated tools can be valuable, many businesses still rely on international virtual number providers like United World Telecom and in-country testers for additional verification.

Best Practices for Phone Number Testing

To maintain reliable phone connectivity, businesses should follow these best practices:

Test from multiple carriers & networks: Ensure calls work across mobile, landline, and VoIP networks.

Monitor call quality and connection delays: Track audio clarity, post-dial delay, and voice latency.

Establish a testing schedule: Test mission-critical numbers every 3–6 months.

Document test results: Keep records to identify patterns in network failures.

Work with your telecom provider for faster resolution: If an issue arises, provide test data to help diagnose problems.

Proactive Testing for Reliable Business Communication

Phone number testing is not just a troubleshooting step—it’s a proactive strategy to maintain uninterrupted communication, improve customer satisfaction, and prevent lost revenue.

By regularly testing toll-free, local, and international business numbers, you can ensure:

  • Seamless call connectivity for customers worldwide.
  • High-quality audio and low latency across all networks.
  • Quick resolution of carrier-related issues before they impact operations.

United World Telecom customers can take advantage of our in-platform phone number testing tool to easily run these checks—whether on-demand or on a set schedule—right from the control panel. This ensures your lines stay reliable without adding extra complexity to your workflows.

Want to learn more about keeping your business phone numbers reliable? Contact United World Telecom for insights and guidance!

How to Integrate Call Transcripts With Your CRM

When working in a data-driven business environment, integrating call transcripts with your CRM can significantly improve customer interactions, sales strategies, and support efficiency. Whether your business uses Zoho, Salesforce, HubSpot, or other CRM platforms, having AI-generated call transcripts automatically logged in your system ensures better documentation, streamlined workflows, and actionable insights.

Accessing Call Insights within CRMs

With AI-powered call transcripts, your team can review customer interactions at a glance and follow up with confidence. Integrating them within your CRM ensures every important customer conversation is instantly documented—no more guesswork, no more manual note-taking.

Why does this matter? Because having full visibility into call history and customer interactions helps your business make data-backed decisions faster and more effectively. Whether it’s personalizing outreach, identifying customer pain points, or refining sales strategies, integrated call transcripts bring clarity and efficiency to every customer interaction.

Why Integrate Call Transcripts with Your CRM?

Logging, recording, and transcribing business calls manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. When AI-powered call transcripts are integrated into your CRM, businesses can:

  • Improve Customer Relationship Management – Access detailed transcripts for context on past conversations, reducing the need for customers to repeat themselves.
  • Enhance Sales Follow-Ups – Quickly review transcripts to understand customer needs and tailor follow-up strategies accordingly.
  • Boost Support Team Efficiency – Help agents resolve customer issues faster by reviewing past call logs and transcripts in one centralized location.
  • Ensure Compliance and Record-Keeping – Store call records securely within the CRM to meet industry regulations and maintain quality assurance.
  • Enable AI-Driven Insights – Leverage other AI features like sentiment analysis and keyword search to identify trends and optimize business operations.

Ways to Integrate Call Transcripts with Your CRM

There are a few different ways businesses can access call transcripts within their CRM. Below is a general overview of how this can be done, however, the process will be different for different CRM and phone service providers.

What you’ll need to get started:

  1. A business phone service: Typically, you will need a cloud phone service provider that offers advanced call analytics and features including transcription and integrations.
  2. CRM subscription: You will need a CRM account that can be easily connected to your phone service. Otherwise, look for the ability to easily upload / import transcripts into the CRM.

Let’s look at how you can integrate call transcripts into your CRM:

1. Manual Upload & Entry

Businesses without direct integration capabilities can still benefit from manual transcript uploads.

This involves downloading AI-generated call transcripts from your telephony provider’s dashboard. If your provider does not have transcription abilities, you will need a transcription device or app to transcribe calls.

Then, depending on your CRM’s capabilities, you can easily copy and paste transcripts into the CRM under the respective customer profile or sales ticket or attach the transcript file (PDF, TXT, or CSV format) to the CRM record for future reference. Alternatively, you could set up an email forwarding rule to automatically send transcripts to your CRM.

This method of integrating transcripts into your CRM is manual and slightly time-consuming. Yet, it ensures important conversation details are recorded within your system.

2. Telephony CRM Integrations

For a more automated setup, consider telephony integrations. Many CRMs, such as Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot, allow businesses to bring their own telephony (i.e. integrate their phone service with the CRM platform).

Such CRM integrations allow users to automatically sync call records and details with the CRM. The best part about using a telephony CRM integration like this is that you can access advanced call features through your virtual phone service provider, including transcripts and recordings.

In this case, you will simply need to activate the integration and configure necessary settings. Once set up, you should automatically see call transcripts recorded within the associated customer profile post-call. Furthermore, you can access these customer and call records on both platforms, enabling easy access no matter which platform you are using.

Voip integrations in your CRM

How to Integrate Call Transcripts with Your CRM Using United World Telecom

United World Telecom offers a wide variety of call analytics and reporting tools to help you retain a comprehensive view of customer interactions.

With us, businesses can unlock key features like Call Recording, Call Summaries, Transcription and Translation, Search by Keyword, and Sentiment Analysis for all inbound and outbound calls. You can also easily view these insights in your UWT control panel.

To help businesses improve their operations, we have built our analytics tools to easily integrate these insights and call data with top CRMs. So, if you use our CRM integrations, you can view recordings, transcripts, translations, and call records directly in the CRM or our softphone app.

This way, your teams have quick access to key customer information and data without having to jump between different applications.

Here’s the step-by-step to adding transcripts within your CRM with our service:

Step 1: Get a Business Phone Number

Start by signing up for a cloud phone number for your business on our Pricing page. We offer international, local, and toll-free numbers from over 160 countries globally and can provision your numbers within 1-2 weeks. You can also port your existing business number to our service.

Step 2: Enable AI Call Insights & Activate CRM Integrations

Once your account is activated, you can turn on AI Call Insights in the control panel. Our AI Insights feature gives you access to call summaries, call transcripts, and sentiment analysis.

Then, navigate to our Integrations tab, find your preferred CRM integration, and activate it.

Step 3: Make & Receive Calls

When you install our softphone integration with your CRM, you can:

  • Use our softphone to make and receive calls
  • Automatically sync contacts and call records
  • Access voicemail, transcripts, recordings, and more
  • Log calls and make notes, and more.

Step 4: View Transcripts in Your CRM

As you enjoy inbound and outbound call traffic, you will notice that call logs and records are automatically updated in your CRM. You will be able to view transcripts, recordings, and translations wherever your contacts and call records are being stored in the respective CRM.

crm integration

Transform Customer Conversations into Actionable CRM Data

Integrating call transcripts with your CRM is an essential step toward automating workflows, improving customer experience, and enhancing sales and support processes. With United World Telecom AI Call Insights and CRM Integrations, businesses can seamlessly capture, analyze, and integrate voice interactions—turning every call into valuable insights.

Ready to connect advanced call analytics to your CRM? Contact us today to get started!

Navigating Saudi Arabia’s RHQ Program: Solutions for Growth and Compliance

Overshadowed by Saudi Vision 2030, a growing openness to tourism, and highly-publicized professional sporting leagues like LIV, Saudi’s Regional Headquarters (RHQ) program was more quietly introduced.

Yet, despite receiving far less attention, the RHQ program will play an equally critical role in accelerating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s shift towards a more diverse, digitally driven economy.

Effective January 1, 2024, this program requires multinational companies to establish regional headquarters in the Kingdom to remain eligible for government contracts.

This article examines the RHQ program, its impact on specific sectors, and strategies that foreign companies can adopt to continue growing their businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Saudi Vision and the RHQ Program

For decades, the strength of Saudi Arabia’s economy has been heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for 84 percent of exports and 40 percent of GDP.

Large oil reserves have enabled the Kingdom to amass substantial wealth and finance ambitious infrastructure and development projects. However, this has also made the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.

Recognizing these challenges, Saudi Arabia launched Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi Vision 2030

Launched in 2016, Vision 2030 is an ambitious framework aimed at diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy and reducing its dependence on oil.

The plan outlines key areas for development, including tourism, technology, healthcare, renewable energy, and entertainment, intending to transform the Kingdom into a more sustainable and globally competitive economy.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to position the country as an international business hub through foreign investment, innovation, and support for a digitally driven economy.

Regional Headquarters Program

As a cornerstone of Vision 2030, the Regional Headquarters Program was designed to encourage multinational companies to establish their regional headquarters within the Kingdom.

RHQ aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambitions to drive growth across various non-oil sectors. It offers specific incentives to companies that establish a regional headquarters in the Kingdom, but more importantly, it limits companies that do not.

How Multinational Companies Are Navigating RHQ

While in Saudi Arabia, I encountered companies whose mission was to help MNCs expand business into the Kingdom. One of these companies was Innovation-SA.

As a leading integrated solution and business support service provider in the Kingdom, Innovation-SA offers a full suite of services, from strategic consulting to market research, technology implementation, and operational optimization.

They provide end-to-end solutions to businesses across various sectors aiming to establish or expand their businesses in Saudi Arabia.

The IT Manager from this company introduced me to the RHQ program and detailed how his organization helps businesses navigate its mandates. For further information about Innovation-SA and its solutions, please contact Mr. Mohammed Zaki via email at zaki@innovation-sa.com.

Saudi Phone Numbers and Call Forwarding

One of the key challenges that businesses face when setting up their regional headquarters and expanding their operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is business support and customer communication.

Often, these businesses will have some presence in Saudi Arabia, but most of their customer-facing operations, like sales and support, are handled internationally.

These companies need Saudi phone numbers, but they don’t always have staff in Saudi Arabia who can answer their calls.

So, we help multinational companies expand to Saudi Arabia by providing phone numbers and call forwarding solutions to route incoming calls from their KSA phone numbers to sales and support centers overseas.

For example, a UK-based company can set up an in-country +966 customer support hotline but route the calls to their main office line or PBX in London. This enables the company to maintain a convenient phone presence in the Kingdom without decentralizing its customer-facing operations.

Phone Number Types

Businesses can choose between different Saudi phone number types depending on their unique needs:

  • Toll-free numbers: preferred by larger enterprises. 800 numbers can only be dialed from within Saudi Arabia.
  • Unified numbers: good for multinational companies that wish to project an established brand within the Kingdom. 9200 numbers can be dialed worldwide.

With years of experience doing business in the Middle East, our team of experts can help your company navigate telecom complexities in the region. If you’re unsure which phone number type will best suit your business, we can serve as a consultant to help you decide on the best option.

At-Risk Sectors Resulting from RHQ

Foreign companies benefit from having a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. These benefits include specific tax incentives, streamlined administrative processes, and regulatory support tailored to foreign businesses.

But while the associated benefits can be a reason to establish an RHQ, specific sectors doing business with the government are at risk by not establishing a headquarters in the Kingdom:

The Saudi Arabia Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Program, effective from January 1, 2024, mandates that multinational companies (MNCs) establish their regional headquarters within the Kingdom to qualify for government contracts. This policy significantly impacts sectors that frequently engage in government procurement.

This policy significantly impacts some sectors more than others:

  • Construction and Infrastructure: ambitious futuristic projects like Neom will require significant construction and infrastructure work.
  • Defense and Aerospace: given the Kingdom’s investments in defense, companies in this sector are directly impacted by the RHQ requirement to secure government contracts.
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Saudi Arabia is focused on improving healthcare services, which opens opportunities for MNCs in this sector, provided they meet specific requirements for government contracts.
  • Financial Services and Banking: As Saudi Arabia diversifies its economy, the financial sector plays a crucial role. Banks and financial institutions must comply with the RHQ mandate to engage in government-related financial projects.

Beyond the sectors most directly affected by the RHQ Program, several industries present lucrative opportunities for foreign companies, especially concerning government contracts:

  • Travel and Tourism: The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 includes developing tourism infrastructure, which creates opportunities for foreign companies in hospitality, entertainment, and related services.
  • Education and Skills Training: With a growing emphasis on education, there is a demand for international expertise in educational services and vocational training programs to help Saudi citizens prepare for “jobs of the future.”
  • Renewable Energy: Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in renewable energy projects, aiming to generate a significant portion of its energy from renewable sources. This sector offers substantial opportunities for foreign investment and partnerships.

Conclusion

As Saudi Vision 2030 seeks to diversify the economy, and the RHQ Program continues to drive MNCs to establish their presence in the Kingdom, business support services offered by third-party companies and international telecom solutions can help businesses comply and remain eligible for government contracts.

7 Ways to Use Local Caller IDs

If you are expanding your business into new regions or trying to differentiate your brand in a competitive industry, using a local outbound caller ID can help you increase call answer rates and connect with more prospects.

Using local, in-country caller IDs can greatly support your business efforts to reach potential clients, partners, stakeholders, etc., across the globe. They enable businesses to connect with locals as a local entity, bridging gaps and establishing a presence even before you make the first call.

Let’s look at:

  • Why your outgoing caller ID matters when making business calls and
  • How your business can use local caller IDs

Why Your Outgoing Caller ID Matters

What caller ID you display when reaching out to potential customers or making cold calls can significantly impact the outcome of those business calls. Consider this, about 80% of Americans do not take calls from unknown numbers. So, if your caller ID appears foreign, unfamiliar, or is marked “unknown,” it’s likely to be ignored or dismissed as spam.

Instead, if you use an in-country caller ID—even when calling from outside the country—you may see increased chances of these calls being answered. For example, when calling customers in London, use a 204 London local phone number. Or use a +34 Spain number when calling prospects in Spain. This way, recipients feel that the call is from a local caller.

Displaying these local numbers as your outgoing caller ID will help establish a local presence for your business. This is especially useful when making sales calls, because the goal is to create and maintain a trusting relationship with customers from the beginning to the end.

How Does the Local Caller ID Feature Work

Local Caller ID, offered by VoIP providers, lets businesses choose what outbound caller ID to display when placing outgoing calls. To be able to change your outgoing caller ID, you’ll need an outbound calling plan.

United World Telecom offers an outbound calling service and a Local 2-Way Voice service where customers can make and receive calls with a cloud phone number.

Here’s how it works: Before your agent makes an outgoing call, they go into the softphone settings and choose a local caller ID for the region they’re calling. Then, when they place the call, the person on the other end sees the local number instead of an unknown or foreign number.

United World Telecom customers can easily configure this in the control panel or through the Softphone right before making calls.

Local caller ID use case

7 Ways to Use Local Caller IDs for Business

Whether trying to break into new markets, make your business appear more approachable, or improve call answer rates, using a local caller ID offers plenty of advantages.

Let’s explore the different ways you can use this feature to help your business grow and connect with people more effectively:

Quick summary:

  1. Enter global markets and establish a local presence
  2. Improve answer and pickup rates
  3. Make it easy for customers to return calls
  4. Provide localized support
  5. Centralize distributed teams
  6. Conduct local market research
  7. Protect employee privacy

1. Enter Global Markets and Establish a Local Presence

Breaking into global markets isn’t just about having a great product—it’s also about communicating and building trust with local customers. Part of this comes from creating a reliable and trustworthy global phone system.

Local caller IDs are typically associated with local businesses. Customers in a given region will recognize these numbers as coming from within their country. This will encourage them to answer the call.

You can get Local 2-Way Voice numbers or add outbound calling lines from multiple countries at a time. This will let your agents connect with potential customers and prospects in these regions.

2. Increase International Sales by Improving Answer Rates

When expanding globally, your business doesn’t need to hire sales reps across different target regions to connect with local customers. Sales teams can optimize their global outbound and cold-calling efforts by using in-country caller IDs corresponding to the countries they’re calling.

Incoming calls with recognizable, local numbers have more chances of being answered, letting your sales reps get one foot in the door. This way, you can obtain global reach even with 1-2 regional sales teams, further expanding your international sales operations.

3. Make It Easy for Customers to Return Calls

Customers are far more likely to return a call to a local number since they know they will be charged a local rate, or call for free if it is a toll-free number. With a Local 2-Way Voice number, you give customers a convenient way to return your call by calling the same number. This way, they get to call your business for local rates, even if their calls are forwarded to an international destination where your teams are located.

This accessibility is crucial when agents are following up or providing customer support. Making it easy for customers and prospects to return your call goes a long way in improving customer engagement and brand image.

4. Provide Localized Support

While serving a global audience, localized support is vital. Calls from international numbers can often be mistaken for spam or robocalls, further affecting your outreach efforts. But calling internationally with a local number has a higher chance of calls being answered quickly.

Businesses can provide obstacle-free customer support by using local caller IDs when connecting with customers for follow-ups, resolving tickets, billing issues, etc. And with a Local 2-Way Voice number, these customers can call your business back conveniently, in case they miss your call. This way, you increase customer engagement for your support efforts.

5. Centralize Distributed Teams

Businesses with distributed teams and service centers can centralize communications under one unified phone system with virtual local numbers and outbound calling. These distributed teams can place outbound calls through their devices (smartphones, laptops, and computers) using softphone apps and easily display a specific caller ID overriding the existing one.

Even if employees are calling from their personal devices, a local caller ID ensures that all outgoing calls appear professional and credible, projecting a unified business image across different countries.

6. Conduct Local Market Research

Since local caller IDs can help increase your entry into global markets, you can use them to survey new markets, test products in new regions, gather customer feedback, conduct competitor research, and more.

Your outreach teams will have an easier time collecting valuable insights from their target audience for a clearer understanding of market trends and customer needs across different regions.

7. Protect Employee Privacy

By assigning local numbers for business calls, employees can keep their personal phone numbers private while maintaining a professional appearance. For instance, in telemedicine, where doctors and healthcare professionals often make calls to patients, using local caller IDs to mask their caller ID ensures that their personal numbers remain confidential.

Related: What is a Dynamic Caller ID for VoIP?

Connect with More Global Customers by Calling Locally

Local caller IDs offer a simple but effective way to strengthen your business connections. From establishing a local presence in multiple markets to providing a unified communication channel, businesses will see several benefits for global communication.

You can use our local caller ID feature with any of our outbound calling or Local 2-Way Voice plans. Want to see which solution is right for your business needs?

Reach out to our experts and find out how you can optimize your outbound calling strategies.

Pros and Cons of UIFN

For businesses with a global base, keeping communications unified could be challenging. For instance, maintaining separate phone lines for each business region might create communication silos.

Universal international freephone numbers (UIFN) can work as a central bridge connecting your business to multiple continents. With UIFN, businesses can tap into a vast pool of potential customers, increasing sales and revenue opportunities. And customers in participating countries can easily contact your business for support through a single, familiar number.

In this article, we’ll delve into UIFN pros and cons and how these numbers work.

Using UIFNs for Business: Pros and Cons

The phone number type you choose for your business is a gateway to customer connections. It can influence how customers reach you, operating costs, and more. So, when considering international operations and expansion, a question arises: Is a universal international freephone number right for your business?

To determine if a UIFN is suitable for your communication needs, consider the nature of your business, target regions, budget, and customer outreach goals. In this article, we’ll go over the important UIFN pros and cons:

UIFN pros and cons displayed on a chart

How Does UIFN Work?

UIFN offers a single, toll-free point of contact that can be dialed from multiple countries participating in the program. These toll-free numbers are assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Customers living in participating nations must use a specific dialing format to call a UIFN number. The standardized format typically comprises a country’s exit code (e.g., 00, 011), followed by the UIFN number, which is 800 and an 8-digit global subscriber number (GSN).

For example, in the UK, you would dial 00800 xxxx xxxx, and in Australia, you would dial 011800 xxxx xxxx.

UIFN consultation

UIFN Benefits

You can do a myriad of things with UIFN international freephone numbers, from centralizing communication to improving customer accessibility. Let’s take a look at the pros of using UIFN for your global communication strategy:

1. Expansive Global Coverage

One of the biggest advantages of UIFN is its global reach. Businesses can serve customers across a broad international spectrum (about 60 countries) with a single phone number.

Luke Genoyer, Business Development Manager at United World Telecom, explains that UIFN is beneficial for companies wishing to have a single phone number that covers a whole region like Europe or APAC. For example, he adds, “It works particularly well as a toll free number for EU countries because the dial-out prefix is the same for most of those countries.” So if businesses want to expand to Europe, then a UIFN will allow you to offer a single customer service number across European markets.

Below is the extensive list of countries where UIFN is available:

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

For more global coverage and access, you may be benefit from our Toll Free FlexDial solution where you use a single phone number for global toll-free access. Chat with us to learn more or browse FlexDial prices.

2. Unified Number = Unified Contact

Juggling multiple phone numbers for different countries can be a nightmare for both you and your customers. Imagine the frustration of a customer in France trying to reach your US headquarters, only to find a confusing list of regional numbers. UIFN offers a single point of contact for several international locations. You can eliminate the complexity of managing multiple phone numbers.

3. Easy to Advertise and Market

A single toll-free number can aid your marketing and advertising efforts greatly. Businesses can do away with the complex web of regional phone listings and promote one number across global marketing campaigns. This consistency also reinforces brand recall, because customers have to remember one number on different marketing channels.

Several countries on the UIFN list share a dialing code. For instance, most European countries have the same dial-out code ‘00.’ This further simplifies branding and marketing efforts, as businesses can promote a single, memorable number without having to educate customers on different dialing procedures for each country.

4. Minimal Documentation Process

UIFN numbers are regulated by the ITU, guaranteeing a standardized and reliable service. According to Lusia Tsymbrovska, Carrier Relations Manager — while some regulations exist, obtaining a UIFN is relatively straightforward; minimal documentation is required, typically only necessitating basic company details like name and address.

And, you typically only need to register the UIFN in a minimum of two participating countries. This eliminates the complexity of managing separate regulations and applications for each targeted market. This streamlined process allows you to quickly activate your UIFN and start connecting with customers across borders.

UIFN Cons & Alternatives

While UIFN offers extensive benefits, it comes with certain limitations that businesses should consider. These include complex dialing conventions, lengthy activation times, and high costs. Let’s delve into these challenges in more detail:

1. Limited Participating Countries

While UIFN boasts impressive global reach, not all countries participate in the program. It’s possible that key target markets might be missing. For instance, Luke observes that UIFN is not an ideal solution for business in Latin America and the Middle East since only a few countries in those regions participate in the UIFN program.

In such cases, companies could opt for international toll free numbers. ITFN offers broader coverage, encompassing over 160 countries, including most remote locations. And since they’re toll-free numbers, customers can call them for free from within these countries, even if you forward those calls to your office in another region.

Another alternative is Toll-Free FlexDial which leverages advanced reverse-calling technology to provide worldwide toll-free access via one number.

2. Complicated Dialing Conventions

UIFN presents challenges due to complex dialing conventions across countries. Customers need to navigate a maze of dial-out codes and prefixes, specific to each country. This variability can confuse international callers, who may not be familiar with the UIFN format and its toll-free nature. It may prove difficult to educate customers from different countries on these conventions, possibly leading to missed connections.

3. Lengthy Activation Time

Unlike ITFS numbers, which can be typically activated within a few days (e.g, we can activate Australia numbers in one business day), UIFN requires registration on a country-by-country basis. This means that activation can take anywhere between 10 days to two months. If a speedy rollout is what you are looking for, then consider getting an ITFS number.

4. High Costs

UIFN cost structure is another major drawback. The actual breakdown depends on where you are buying your UIFN number. In most cases, there’s an initial one-time registration fee of $300. On top of that, you’ll also incur a setup fee for each country activation plus monthly subscription costs for using the service. This ongoing expense can add up, especially for companies requiring UIFN coverage in multiple countries.

In contrast, ITFS costs often follow a more flexible model, typically involving a provider subscription fee, additional phone number charges, and usage-based carrier fees. This structure can be more cost-effective for businesses with fluctuating call volumes or a need for targeted coverage in specific regions.

5. Limited Mobile Accessibility

Not all participating nations allow mobile accessibility to UIFN. In countries where mobile phone usage is high, this could restrict some customer segments. This is a crucial consideration, especially with forecasts suggesting that the number of mobile users worldwide is likely to rise to 7.49 billion by 2025.

Make an Informed Decision with UWT

If you are considering global expansion or are looking for a more universal contact number, getting a UIFN number could be an excellent starting point. And as you know by now, a UIFN offers a single point of contact for customers worldwide, centralizing communication.

With years of extensive experience, United World Telecom has garnered an understanding of the pros and cons of UIFN compared to alternatives like ITFS and Toll-Free FlexDial. We ensure businesses make the right choice for all their communication needs.

Need help deciding on a business phone number? Contact our experts today to discuss your specific business case and determine whether a UIFN is the right fit for your global ambitions.

9 Blended Call Center Essentials

Improved customer experience can result in approximately a 15% boost in sales conversions. And to provide stellar customer experiences, you need to support your sales and support teams with the right tools and technology.

That’s where blended call center software may come in handy.

Blended call centers seamlessly integrate both inbound and outbound calling functions so you can assist customers across different buyer journeys. From providing advanced call management tools to flexibility in workforce management, there’s so much that blended models can do for your business.

In this article, we’ll go over what a blended call center is and the essential technologies to run one, such as:

What is a Blended Call Center?

Blended call centers combine inbound and outbound call services in a single setup. This is different from traditional call centers that specialize in either inbound (handling incoming customer inquiries) or outbound (initiating calls for sales, follow-ups, etc.) services.

In this setup, agents handle incoming calls as well as make outgoing calls to support all call center and business communication needs. By integrating both, agents handle a diverse range of tasks from resolving customer issues to conducting proactive outreach campaigns. This further ensures optimal resource utilization while maximizing customer service levels.

So, why is this holistic approach to customer service management good for your call center?

Benefits of Blending Inbound and Outbound Call Services

Blended services offer a range of benefits—including improved efficiency, scalability, and service levels. Above all else, blended call center tech is capable of adapting to evolving business needs, supporting expansion, thereby, driving growth.

Here are some of the key benefits of blending inbound and outbound services:

  • Access a variety of inbound and outbound calling solutions and features to manage all business phone communications.
  • Use inbound calling features like call routing, IVR, etc to improve call handling and caller experience.
  • Leverage outbound calling features like caller ID management, softphones, etc. to increase response rates and sales efficiency.
  • Increase the chances of upselling and cross-selling since agents handle both incoming support and outgoing sales calls, they have more opportunities to talk to customers about products and services across different points in the customer journey.
  • Assign agents to inbound or outbound calls based on real-time call volume fluctuations to reduce wait times and provide more prompt service.
  • Analyze call center data and reports to improve agent utilization and allocate resources effectively across different channels and shifts.

Resource for blended call center key features.

8 Essential Blended Call Center Technologies

You will need an arsenal of cutting-edge call handling techs and features in order to run a blended call center.

From delivering sophisticated customer experience to helping you make staffing decisions, here are 8 blended call center technologies that can shape effective business operations:

  • International Phone Numbers
  • Call Forwarding and Routing
  • IVR and Call Flows
  • Softphone and Web Dialers
  • Outbound Caller ID
  • Call Recording
  • Call Reports and Analytics
  • VoIP Integrations

1. International Phone Numbers

International phone numbers, such as local and toll-free numbers, from target countries offer businesses the opportunity to establish a global presence without needing physical offices in every region. Customers can comfortably call designated business phone numbers, no matter where the business, main office, or service centers are located. Simply forward incoming calls to your desired destinations.

But besides expanding reach, calling internationally with local numbers can improve outbound campaign efforts and inbound customer engagement. This is because local numbers have recognizable toll-free and area codes that encourage customers to answer or return your business’ calls.

Blended call centers can especially benefit from services like local 2-way voice that support incoming and outgoing calls via a local number. This means your teams can use the same virtual local phone number as their outbound caller ID. This helps improve customer trust and the likelihood of calls being answered. Additionally, if a call is missed or unanswered, the recipient can easily call back on the same number, simplifying follow-up and potentially leading to successful sales conversions.

This makes it easy to manage inbound (support) and outbound (sales) calls through one service. And if you have multiple locations, you can get multiple international phone numbers from one global provider and centralize communications.

Related: Inbound Sales Calls vs. Outbound Sales Calls

2. Call Forwarding and Routing

Call routing and forwarding are features that let you redirect inbound calls from one location to another strategically without incurring expensive international calling fees. These tools help you ensure that agents are available wherever your customers are located.

And you can leverage various routing strategies like time-of-day or location-based routing or simultaneous ringing to provide round-the-clock support. Blended models can prioritize agent allocation based on factors such as agent availability, customer preferences, etc. This prioritization also helps in improving first call resolution rates.

With optimized call handling, your agents can respond better to customer needs and prioritize outbound efforts for more urgent queries. It also frees up your agents whom you can then distribute to other areas of need.

3. IVR and Call Flows

Advanced call management solutions, such as automatic call distribution (ACD) and interactive voice response (IVR), help streamline call flows across multiple departments and locations.

ACD helps with routing incoming calls to the right agent based on factors like availability, skills, etc. On the other hand, you can set up automated IVR menus with menu options that callers use to navigate to the right agent.

These tools are generally quite customizable, ensuring you can effectively control and manage how calls travel within your phone network. They help reduce call queues and wait times while quickly connecting callers to the best possible agent for support.

Diagram showing blended call center technology.

4. Softphone and Web Dialers

Softphones, web dialers, and web phones are tools or apps that convert any device into a business phone. With a dial pad and call handling capabilities, these tools are a must for blended call centers, offering flexibility and convenience in managing calls from anywhere in the world. Simply put, you can make phone calls directly from a device or web browser like Chrome, Firefox, etc.

Agents can make and receive calls with a softphone on any IP-enabled devices, such as smartphones, laptops, etc. For example, the United World Telecom softphone can be downloaded on any Windows device. Users can then use the softphone app to

  • Receive local and international VoIP calls
  • Make outbound calls using local caller IDs
  • Receive voicemails
  • View call activity and history
  • Transfer calls to other agents, and so on.

Some providers also offer softphone integrations with top CRMs and help desk software. With features like click-to-call, data sync, and in-app dialer, agents can get a comprehensive understanding of customer interactions. And managers can view and analyze agent performance and activity. This makes it easy to determine your inbound and outbound call flows and how to best optimize your customer experience efforts.

5. Outbound Caller ID

Caller ID management is important in ensuring your business calls are answered by your customers and prospects. Most people won’t answer calls by an unfamiliar number or one marked “Unknown.”

This is where the outbound caller ID feature comes in handy. By displaying a familiar or local phone number as the outbound caller ID, you can increase the chances of recipients answering calls. This could improve the success rates of outbound campaigns.

Now, if you have distributed and remote teams (aka, not working out of our main office), you may use a call masking feature to mask their actual outbound caller ID and use the business’ phone number instead. This way, your remote teams are also unified under the business’ phone network. This also protects agents’ personal phone numbers when using their own devices to place calls.

6. Call Recording

Call recording features can record both inbound and outbound calls. Blended call center supervisors can use these recordings to:

  • Monitor agent performance
  • Assess quality of customer service delivery
  • Protect against liabilities
  • Identify areas of improvement, and
  • Ensure compliance with established standards and protocols.

Some providers, like United World Telecom, offer call recording add-ons like transcription and translation for increased accessibility.

7. Call Reports and Analytics

Other quality assurance-related features like call reports and analytics, too, provide overview of call traffic, agent distribution, service quality, and areas for improvement. You need these features to evaluate call center performance and make informed decisions. Measure key metrics like call volume, average handling time, customer satisfaction metrics, etc. for a real-time, deeper understanding of customer interactions.

And with call activity reports, you can reorganize call flows, routing strategies, staff goals, etc. in line with business goals. United World Telecom customers can view metrics such as call duration, agent activity, calling charges, caller locations, and more to understand caller habits better.

Related: Tips for Running a Successful Virtual Call Center

8. VoIP Integrations

VoIP integrations with CRMs and help desk software can streamline call operations. These integrations come with features like call logging and data sync that automatically sync call records and contacts between the two platforms. This saves agents time and manual effort and ensures accurate record-keeping. Additionally, managers and agents can review customer interaction histories, follow-up tasks, and call recordings directly from the CRM interface.

How Can United World Telecom Help?

The right blended call center tech and tools can make or break your call handling strategy. And this directly affects the bottom line. Wondering what call management capabilities are right for your call center?

Talk to us! United World Telecom has been helping international enterprises and small businesses with state-of-the-art communication solutions. Our call center solutions provide you with a range of services and features to manage inbound and outbound calls and connect with your local and international customers reliably.

We can help you upgrade your telephony system to drive call center growth. Connect with our experts today and learn more about call center essentials!

How to Choose the Right SIP Trunk Provider? 8 Things to Consider

SIP trunking offers a compelling alternative to traditional phone lines. Gone are the days of relying on expensive analog lines and calling fees for business communication. Why? Because SIP trunking uses your existing internet connection and communication hardware to transmit voice calls.

But this depends on finding the right SIP trunk provider. Once you’ve settled that, implementing and using this service is straightforward. SIP trunking integrates smoothly with your existing phone system.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What to Expect from a Global SIP Trunk Provider

Instead of traditional phone lines, a SIP trunk service uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to send voice calls on virtual phone lines. These lines allow for multiple calls to happen at the same time; i.e. a SIP trunk carries multiple SIP channels where 1 channel = 1 inbound/outbound call, allowing for multiple calls simultaneously.

A global SIP trunk provider can be your one-stop shop for international communication needs, with the tools needed for smooth global connectivity. By adding SIP trunks to your phone system, you can expect:

Efficient Call Handling
At its core, SIP trunking is a highly scalable and reliable phone system that can handle many conversations simultaneously without losing call quality or efficiency. This means that your business can stay connected even during peak times.

Global Coverage
And because it transmits calls virtually, your business can achieve global voice connectivity at a scalable rate. Simply tap into your provider’s network of virtual phone numbers from various countries. This way, you can count on receiving top-notch voice quality for incoming and outgoing calls worldwide.

International Termination
SIP trunk providers offer international SIP termination services that guarantee your calls reach their destinations without any hitches. SIP termination is the process of routing calls from one provider (usually the SIP provider) to another PSTN or VoIP provider. In simpler terms, you can use SIP trunks to make outbound calls to customers wherever they are located and connect comfortably to their PSTN or VoIP setup.

Easy Integration
SIP trunks easily integrate with your existing business phone system, whether hosted or on-premises. In most cases, setup takes hardly a few days.

Feature Sets
Many SIP trunking providers offer outbound features, such as SIP calling, local caller ID, and call masking. These features let you manage how your number appears to call recipients, thereby increasing call connection rates.

Choosing a global SIP trunk provider.

Benefits of Switching to SIP Trunking for Business

Everyone from small startups to global corporations embraces modern telephony’s advantages, such as SIP trunking. Here are the top 5 reasons why:

  1. As SIP trunking uses the internet to place calls, overall communication costs go down. Save costs on long-distance and international calls. This is because traditional long-distance calls may need to be routed through multiple carriers, driving up per-call costs. Additionally, SIP trunking eliminates the need for additional hardware and maintenance.
  2. You and your staff can make or receive calls from anywhere—all you need is a stable internet connection and SIP-enabled devices like phones, computers, tablets, etc.
  3. Easily scale your service up or down—add or remove phone lines and destinations—as your business needs change, all without the hassle of dealing with multiple contracts.
  4. Typically, service providers offer redundant connections and disaster recovery features, ensuring minimal downtime and business continuity in case of outages.
  5. Get features like advanced routing, caller ID management, and multiple other communication features on a single unified platform.

SIP trunk pricing breakdown

Learn more about how this communication technology can benefit your business in our SIP trunking guide.

How to Choose the Right SIP Trunk Provider?

Choosing the right SIP trunk provider is crucial for a smooth transition and reliable communication. Remember, the ideal provider understands your business and offers the right features at a reasonable cost.

Let’s evaluate the different factors to consider when choosing a SIP trunk provider for business communication.

Quick summary:

  • Look for established providers with a proven track record.
  • Beyond pricing, consider the features offered, customer reviews, and contract flexibility.
  • Responsive customer support, ideally available 24/7 and through various channels, is essential for troubleshooting.
  • A dedicated account manager can further ensure your needs are met. Research different providers, compare offerings, and don’t hesitate to contact them directly.
    Free trials can also be a valuable tool.

1. Determine Communication Needs and Gaps

Before selecting a SIP trunk provider, assess your business’s communication requirements and scalability needs. For instance, consider:

  • Call volume – how many calls need to be supported simultaneously?
  • Team location – which teams and locations need to be added to the phone network?
  • Features – are there any features or functionality currently missing that can help improve your inbound and outbound calling efforts?
  • Tools like international phone numbers, softphone, local caller IDs, international call forwarding, etc.?

Cloud-based phone services provide a much more elastic telephony infrastructure. Unlike traditional analog lines, you can easily adjust channels, phone numbers, and destinations through a web interface. And with a global SIP trunk provider, you can expect extensive global coverage to support your international communications.

2. Identify Features and Functionality Needed

Consider the features and functionality essential for your business operations. Most cloud telephony and SIP trunk providers offer a full suite of inbound and outbound calling features. Of course, what your business needs depends on your size, team and customer location, call volume, and budget. But here are the features we’ve seen customers use the most:

Inbound features must-haves:

  • International call forwarding
  • Call routing strategies
  • Call recording
  • Virtual voicemail
  • Transcription
  • Online dashboard, etc.

Outbound features must-haves:

  • Caller ID management
  • Softphone for inbound and outbound calling
  • Integrations, etc.

Another important factor: how easy is setup? How quickly can you get this new phone system up and running with little-to-no downtime?

Consider compatibility with your existing systems and evaluate ease of integration.

3. Research Providers and Their Offerings

When researching, look for SIP providers with global coverage, advanced features, flexible pricing plans, and positive customer reviews.

Reach out to representatives to gauge their responsiveness and see if you can use a free trial before subscribing to get a sense of the service.

Consider United World Telecom

Over 28 years, United World Telecom has partnered with Tier 1 carriers worldwide to bring businesses a high-quality SIP trunking solution at affordable rates.

Why choose United World Telecom?

  • Global SIP trunk numbers in 160 countries
  • Monthly plans — no long-term contracts
  • International SIP termination
  • Local caller ID management
  • PBX integrations – 3CX, FreePBX, Genesys, Cisco, Mitel, Panasonic, etc.
  • CRM integrations – Zoho, Zendesk, Salesforce, etc.
  • High call quality
  • No setup fees or long-term contracts
  • Quick activation and dedicated account management
  • Advanced features — call recording, time-based and location-based routing, voicemail translation, and more
  • Scalability — easily add/remove users, phone lines, destinations, as needed.

4. Consider Costs

To make informed SIP trunking decisions, businesses must dissect cost structures. Monthly subscriptions can vary based on channels, virtual numbers, and even per-user fees. Outbound calling rates are another key element, with options for metered pay-as-you-go plans or predictable unmetered options. Don’t forget potential add-on costs for features like call recording. Finally, factor in any setup fees.

While pricing structures vary by provider, a careful evaluation of these cost factors and competitor comparisons will lead you to the most cost-effective SIP trunking solution that aligns with their communication needs and budget.

Here’s a breakdown of our SIP trunk pricing:

Monthly Subscription:

  • Monthly fee for the phone number used as the caller ID for outbound calls. For example, US numbers start at $7.95.
  • Monthly call credit; Basic plan is $25.

International Calling Rates:

  • United World Telecom call rates are metered. Different countries have different calling rates and this gets deducted from the call credit.
  • Calling rates can be found on our SIP trunk pricing guide.

Features & Add-ons:

  • 40+ free features including Caller ID Management and Softphone.
  • Premium features at additional rates such as Inbound or Outbound Call Recording for $5 monthly fee + 3¢ per minute.

Setup Fees or Contracts:

  • No set up fees.
  • Month-to-month billing; no long-term contracts.

Total SIP Trunk Pricing for United World Telecom: $7.95 monthly subscription + $25 call credit = $32.95 per month

SIP trunk pricing breakdown

5. Understand Setup and Requirements

You can quickly integrate SIP technology into your existing infrastructure with minimal hassle.
Ditch the setup headaches!

Service providers like United World Telecom handle everything for you. Get an outbound calling plan, and we’ll provide the SIP trunk credentials you need. Simply enter them into your phone system, and you’re ready to make calls.

6. Review Testimonials and Customer Reviews

Before making a decision, take advantage of the wealth of information available online. Researching customer reviews and testimonials will offer valuable insights into a SIP trunk provider’s track record and industry standing.

Ask providers for testimonials, references, and case studies. Positive reviews from satisfied customers can give you confidence in a provider’s ability to deliver on its promises.

7. Test Top Providers

Many SIP trunk providers offer free trials or demos, allowing you to experience their service firsthand. Make calls to various locations and devices to assess voice quality and stability. Play around with the features to determine how you may use them. See how user-friendly the provider’s control panel is for managing your settings. Most importantly, engage with their customer support team. Ask questions and evaluate their responsiveness and technical expertise.

In this way, you can take advantage of free trials and demos and eliminate any lingering doubts. And then confidently choose the SIP trunk provider that delivers the performance, reliability, and features you need.

Want to see how United World Telecom works? Book a demo today!

8. Review Security Measures and Compliance

Finally, security is always a concern for businesses and that should extend to communications networks as well. Look for providers adhering to industry-established security protocols like secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP). These standards encrypt communication content, making it unreadable even if intercepted.

Inquire about the provider’s security infrastructure. Reputable companies will have robust firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls in place to prevent unauthorized access to your network.

Get Global SIP with United World Telecom

Sign up for SIP Trunking with United World Telecom. Not ready to take the plunge? Start with a free trial and test out our service. Get an outbound number and add inbound features.

Still have questions about how SIP trunking works? Our experts are here to help you make the right decision. Reach out to us to see if it is a good solution for your exact business communication needs.