Category: Business Phone Numbers

Reliable global communication is a necessity for businesses looking to stay competitive in the international market. Yet, maintaining seamless connectivity across borders can be difficult.

When your sales team connects with clients in Europe or your support hub assists customers in the Americas, any disruption in voice quality, network reliability, or local presence can impact credibility and affect business relationships.

That’s why you must be careful choosing an international phone service for your business.

A trustworthy voice service should deliver both exceptional voice quality and the infrastructure to support consistent, high-quality interactions across borders. Evaluating key factors such as network reliability, global coverage, compliance, and support coverage can make all the difference.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Why Your Business Needs an International Phone Service
• Key Factors in Choosing an International Phone Service for Business
• How United World Telecom Stacks Up
• Key Questions to Ask Business Phone Service Vendors
• Common Pitfalls & Red Flags to Watch For

Why Does Your Business Need an International Phone Service?

When your customers, partners, and teams are spread across regions, a local phone setup simply can’t keep up.

Teams working across time zones need a reliable way to stay connected with clients and colleagues. Poor coverage and dropped calls can frustrate customers and slow down operations. Without a robust global network and routing, calls may experience delays or disconnections.

On top of that, traditional and, at times, local carriers may charge high per-minute rates or add hidden international fees that quickly escalate expenses. Over time, these unpredictable costs can strain your budget and reduce ROI. Choosing an international virtual phone service with transparent pricing plans helps you stay cost-efficient while expanding your global reach.

Additionally, telecom regulations differ across countries: some require documentation for number activation, while others enforce strict rules on call recording or caller ID. Partnering with a provider that has experience in international compliance ensures your business stays lawful and your service uninterrupted.

How International Phone Services Help Businesses Communicate Globally?

International business phone services are designed to bridge geographical distances and deliver a consistent, local calling experience anywhere in the world. As a business expands beyond its borders, its communication system must evolve from scattered local phone solutions to a consolidated global telephony platform, offering flexibility, scalability, and control:

• Global Coverage: Global telephony providers have the edge by offering international calling solutions across 160+ countries, giving your business unparalleled flexibility to communicate globally.
• Local Trust: Businesses can use authentic international phone numbers with Local 2-Way Voice, allowing calls to display a familiar local caller ID, establishing a local presence, and improving connection rates across markets.
• Reliability: A provider with reliable international voice service, strategically placed PoPs, and built-in redundancy ensures clear, stable voice connections across borders.
• Expert Navigation: With 24/7 regional support and deep compliance expertise, providers help businesses stay fully operational and compliant in every region, minimizing risks from regulatory interruptions.
• Centralized Management: All phone numbers, advanced features, and billing can be managed from a single platform, simplifying operations like call forwarding, routing, and number setup.

Choosing an International Phone Service for Business: Key Evaluation Factors

1. Global coverage & reach
2. Call quality, latency, network architecture
3. Inbound & outbound calling capabilities
4. Regulations & compliance
5. Interoperability & integrations
6. Scalability & flexibility
7. Pricing transparency & cost structure
8. Reliability, SLAs, & redundancy
9. Support & regional expertise
10. Value-added features & differentiators

The right partner gives you reliable inbound and outbound in the markets that matter, clear pricing, and hands-on regulatory guidance—so calls connect, sound great, and stay compliant. Mature providers publish real coverage and uptime claims (e.g., numbers in 160+ countries and 99.999% network reliability), and back them with regional support.

We’ve outlined ten critical factors—from network architecture to support expertise—to guide your decision and demonstrate why a comprehensive solution is essential:

1. Global Coverage & Reach

The first step is verifying if a provider can truly give your business a local presence where it matters most.

What a good provider looks like: Look for a large, accessible published inventory of international virtual phone numbers (local, national, and toll-free numbers) that cover your target countries. Ask if coverage includes hard-to-reach regions and clear information on coverage gaps or blocked regions. Providers with a well-distributed network of carrier partners reduce the likelihood of “islands” in service.

For example, you can check out our country coverage for transparency on coverage and number types.

Why it matters: If the provider doesn’t reliably cover your target regions, your business will experience missed revenue, dropped calls, and inaccessible customers.

2. Call Quality, Latency & Network Architecture

You might have the numbers, but if voice quality is poor, your global presence will suffer. High-quality voice connections rely entirely on the provider’s technical infrastructure.

What a good provider looks like: Look for a robust global network architecture. Check for the presence of PoPs, peering, and redundancy in the provider’s network. Inquire about the quality of carrier interconnects. Understand your provider’s key performance metrics, such as jitter, packet-loss tolerance, and VoIP QoS guarantees. Your provider should also specify expected Mean Opinion Score (MOS) ranges, latency thresholds, and other benchmarks used to evaluate call quality.

At United World Telecom, we maintain multiple PoPs across the Americas and APAC with a redundant carrier network, prioritizing call quality over Least-Cost Routing (LCR) for reliable, clear connections.

Why it matters: Your customers and teams expect crystal-clear conversations—no drops, lags, or distortions. A well-designed network with quality standards directly translates into more professional, reliable communication experiences across borders.

3. Inbound & Outbound Capability

Global reach is meaningful only when your business can make and receive calls reliably across every market it serves.

What a good provider looks like: Check whether your provider supports Direct Inward Dialing (DID) or local phone numbers that allow customers to call you at a local rate, regardless of your physical location. Inquire about coverage in the key markets where you have sellers, service centers, or expect inbound traffic. Examine features like Time of Day Routing, Call Forwarding, and Local Caller IDs that allow you to route inbound and outbound call traffic flexibly, especially when your local office is closed or an agent is busy.

Why it matters: Customers trust and respond more to local numbers. Strong inbound and outbound calling capabilities keep your business accessible and consistent worldwide.

4. Regulatory & Compliance

Every country has its own rules for telecom, number registration, call recording, data privacy, telemarketing, and so on. Regulations regarding call recording laws, telemarketing practices, and the use of Caller ID can vary by country. This is especially important for customer-service or sales operations spanning many jurisdictions. You must evaluate how the provider manages all these elements.

What a good provider looks like: Ask the provider for country-specific details or a compliance brief. Verify local regulations such as:

• Whether inbound numbers must be tied to local entities,
• Outbound calls require registration,
• Or any certain types of numbers are restricted.

Understand the provider’s policies on data residency and storage of Call Detail Records (CDRs) to ensure adherence with global privacy regulations such as GDPR compliance in the EU and similar data protection laws across the Americas and APAC regions.

Why it matters: Staying compliant prevents disruptions and safeguards your brand. A provider well-versed in regional telecom and data laws keeps your global operations running smoothly.

5. Interoperability & Integration

You’ll want a provider that fits nicely with your existing voice infrastructure. Check whether the vendor supports SIP trunking, SIP integration, CRM integrations, and APIs.

What a good provider looks like: Look for seamless support for SIP trunking, which allows you to connect the provider’s global services directly to your existing PBX or communications platform. If you already use Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, or other platforms, ask whether the provider offers native or easily configurable integrations. APIs should also be available for full control and customization, allowing technical teams to integrate call functionality directly into existing business applications.

Why it matters: Seamless integration saves time and reduces complexity, and your teams can manage calls, track customer interactions, and scale communications without disruption.

6. Scalability & Flexibility

When your business grows or changes, your phone system should grow with it without causing delays or complications.

What a good provider looks like: Verify whether your provider can handle changes like:

• Adding new regions
• Rerouting calls instantly if a region’s network goes down
• Managing extra traffic during peak seasons.

This failover and scalability support means you can easily expand or reduce usage depending on your business needs, while their large inventory and global carrier partnerships ensure reliable capacity for growth.

For instance, we ensure reliability through flexible routing, failover, and disaster recovery solutions, all with fast setup and no long-term commitments.

Why it matters: Lack of scalability limits business agility. When demand spikes or networks fail, communication disruptions can impact performance and customer trust.

7. Pricing Transparency & Cost Structure

The cost structure must be clear and predictable; you shouldn’t have to worry about hidden charges or unexpected surcharges.

What a good provider looks like: Check for per-minute rates, both inbound and outbound, as well as recurring fees. Watch out for hidden charges or surcharges. Some international voice providers add access fees, handling fees, routing surcharges, or long-tail costs by country, but a trusted provider will always be transparent.

Look for volume discounts, region tiers (e.g., cheaper calls in certain countries), minimums, contract commitments, or lock-in periods. For a detailed breakdown of how inbound and outbound rates typically work, see our pricing plan structure for both inbound and outbound calling.

Most importantly, verify how billing works, including whether it’s monthly-based, allows service tier changes, requires usage commitments, or includes termination or cancellation fees.

Why it matters: Hidden fees and unclear billing can damage trust and drive up expenses. Transparent pricing ensures cost control, financial predictability, and long-term confidence in your provider.

8. Reliability, SLAs & Redundancy

When serving global customers, reliability is everything. This means understanding your provider’s service quality and capabilities.

What a good provider looks like: Look for a provider that offers guaranteed uptime backed by clearly defined SLAs and proactive monitoring. They should maintain geographically redundant data centers to ensure uninterrupted service. Reliable providers also implement automatic failover routing, network monitoring, and rapid incident response to minimize downtime and performance issues.

Why it matters: A lack of redundancy and uptime guarantees can result in service interruptions, revenue loss, and declining customer confidence.

9. Support & Regional Expertise

Technical issues or regulatory changes in a foreign country can damage your operation unless the provider has regional expertise.

What a good provider looks like: Check whether your provider has a local or regional account or compliance team, and whether someone on that team understands local registration requirements, numbering rules, and regulatory changes. Also, verify whether onboarding assistance or migration support is available. Good support means you are not left having to figure out how to route or re-route numbers when things change.

For example, our support and technical teams are distributed globally, allowing us to provide 24/7 assistance and local expertise wherever your business operates.

Why it matters: When support isn’t available across regions, technical or regulatory issues can disrupt operations and frustrate customers.

10. Value-Added Features & Differentiators

Beyond the basics, you should assess what extra features the provider offers. These features and added functionality could give you a competitive advantage or operational efficiencies.

What a good provider looks like: Look for a provider that delivers advanced features designed for global communication. Local caller ID helps you build trust and improve answer rates by showing familiar local numbers to customers. Call Recording and AI Analytics help detect issues early and improve call quality, performance, and customer satisfaction. IVR systems simplify call routing, ensuring customers reach the right department quickly. These are just a few examples; ask your provider for a detailed list of their offerings.

Why it matters: Without advanced features, your system stays basic and limited. These features boost service quality, enabling smarter, faster, and more professional global communication.

How United World Telecom Meets These Evaluation Criteria

At United World Telecom, every factor that defines a reliable international phone service—network reliability, scalability, voice quality, and responsive support—is built into our core infrastructure.

Global Coverage
We provide international numbers and phone solutions in 160+ countries, including toll-free and local options that extend even into hard-to-reach or emerging markets.

SIG, a global packaging leader, needed toll-free accessibility in emerging markets where international toll-free (ITFNs) is restricted. We designed a custom Toll Free FlexDial solution, allowing SIG customers to call for free from anywhere in the world, improving accessibility and customer satisfaction across remote markets.

Global Network Architecture & Reliability
Our long-term carrier relationships allow us to deliver consistent call clarity and uptime backed by 99.999% reliability, critical for enterprises running distributed support centers.

Safran Power Units required a global network of local numbers to support customers across North America, APAC, and EMEA. We deployed local virtual numbers routed to their service center in France, enabling quick, low-cost customer access and ensuring uninterrupted service.

Similarly, Novartis needed reliable toll-free coverage for their Latin American support centers after persistent outages with a local provider. Novartis uses our ITFNs and redundant routing to reliably support customers across the region. As Novartis’ Network Administrator, José R., noted, any issues are “resolved within 15 minutes.”

Local Presence Calling
We also support Local 2-Way Voice, for higher answer rates and improved outbound engagement. Directum Translations, for example, increased U.S. connection rates by switching to a U.S. caller ID for outbound calls, enabling their team in Mexico to reach customers more effectively.

With United World Telecom, your business gains more than a global phone service. You gain a reliable, scalable, and expertly supported communication solution that removes barriers and strengthens your local presence worldwide.

Common Pitfalls & Red Flags to Watch For

You are investing in global growth, so the last thing you need is a phone service that creates new problems. Understanding the common pitfalls and red flags in the vendor selection process is just as important as knowing the ideal features.

Companies often encounter five main dangers when choosing a provider that is not a true global expert:

The first major red flag is a provider making “cookie-cutter” global claims but lacking a real local presence. They may claim global services coverage but only offer expensive or non-local numbers in your crucial markets, failing to provide the local credibility delivered by genuine international phone numbers or Local 2-Way Voice.

Secondly, keep an eye out for hidden fees that might be buried in the fine print. These often include carrier surcharges, unexpected cross-border fees, or high termination fees, undermining your perceived pricing transparency. Consumers are protected by official policies like the FCC’s Truth-In-Billing Policy which aims to eliminate confusing and unauthorized charges.

Another concern is a service that focuses on only outbound voice but offers poor support for inbound voice. This is a functional gap; a true international phone services provider must allow customers to call you easily and reliably.

Next, be wary of providers who show a lack of compliance or unwillingness to support local regulatory regimes for number registration, which can lead to service suspension or legal risk.

Finally, beware of underpowered infrastructure such as a single PoP without true redundancy, which indicates a high risk of service failure and poor, unreliable high-quality voice connection should that single point fail. Always ensure your provider has a robust global network designed for consistent performance.

How United World Telecom Can Help

Choosing the right international phone service isn’t just about finding a provider; it’s about finding a partner who understands how global communication really works. When the stakes are high, you must choose a solution that delivers a consistent, high-quality voice every time.

That’s where United World Telecom stands apart. With over two decades of experience, we’ve helped global businesses establish a consistent, high-quality calling experience across continents. From local and toll-free numbers in 160+ countries to reliable inbound and outbound calling, we make it easier for businesses to communicate locally while maintaining a global presence. Our solutions combine global voice coverage, redundant network infrastructure, compliance expertise, and 99.999% uptime, ensuring your teams and customers stay connected without interruption.

Speak with our team of experts or contact us now to find the perfect solution for your growth needs today.

India is home to one of the world’s largest consumer markets and a rapidly growing digital economy. With a population of over 1.4 billion and a strong IT, outsourcing, and services sector, India is a key market for businesses worldwide.

For global businesses looking to expand into this region, setting up a reliable communication channel is critical. One of the easiest ways to establish a local presence and connect with Indian customers is by using India virtual phone numbers.

Understanding India phone numbers is essential for working with your team or communicating with Indian customers. Whether you want to support a local call center, expand customer support, or build regional credibility, a local India number can help you reach your goals.

This guide covers every necessary aspect, including the format of Indian phone numbers with relevant codes, different types of phone numbers, and, most importantly, why your business should get an India phone number. So, let’s dive in!

Guide to Phone Numbers in India

Having an India phone number is essential to establishing a local presence in India and accessible to potential customers. This allows businesses to operate across multiple regions without a physical office in each location. More importantly, they help you reduce long-distance costs, improve accessibility, and enhance customer trust.

Here’s how India phone numbers support global business operations:

• Local Presence: Displaying a local number on your website or caller ID boosts credibility and encourages customers to reach out.
• Cost-Effective Communication: Avoid international call charges by routing calls through virtual numbers. Give local customers local or free calling options with local numbers.
• Expanded Reach: Connect with customers across regions, from major cities like Mumbai and Delhi to remote areas.
• Offer Reliable Support Across Regions: A local business phone number guarantees that your customers can reach you anytime, whether you establish regional offices, use remote teams, or deal with a local call center.
• Better Engagement: Local numbers often lead to higher response and pickup rates.

India Phone Number Plan

India’s phone numbering system is managed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which includes managing and allocating phone numbers. The system is based on the National Numbering Plan (NNP), which standardizes how numbers are allocated to various services and regions.

Recent changes in telecom regulations (such as requiring a ‘0’ prefix for fixed-to-mobile calls) have been implemented to streamline dialing and preserve number availability.

India Phone Number Format

Phone numbers in India are typically 10-digits long and include:

• India country code: +91
• Trunk prefix: 0 (for domestic dialing)
• Area or mobile code: Varies by location or provider; i.e., 22 for Mumbai
• Subscriber number: Usually 6 to 8 digits

Here is a general breakdown of Indian phone number formats:

• India toll-free number format: 1800 xxx-xxxx (not reachable from outside India)
• India local number format: +91 11 xxxx-xxxx (New Delhi area code 11)
• Mobile number format: +91 9xxxx-xxxxx

When calling from outside India, the trunk prefix is omitted. For example: +91 22 xxxx xxxx (for a Mumbai number).

These formats guarantee effective call routing throughout the nation’s telecommunication network.

Different Types of India Phone Numbers

India offers several types of virtual business numbers to suit different use cases. Below are the most common options available from United World Telecom:

1. India Toll-Free Numbers

India toll-free numbers are perfect for customer service and support lines, usually starting with ‘1800’, making them more accessible to customers. Callers in India can reach businesses using these numbers without paying for their calls, encouraging higher call volumes.

2. India Local Phone Numbers

India local numbers, with specific area codes for particular cities or regions, help companies to develop a local presence in key Indian cities like Mumbai (22), Delhi (11), or Bangalore (80).

3. India Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers offer greater flexibility, as they are not tied to a specific geographic region. While they can be used for inbound calling, virtual mobile numbers in India are generally not SMS-enabled for verification purposes.

4. India Local 2-Way Voice

India phone numbers with Local 2-Way Voice, allow users to make outbound calls using a local number and receive inbound calls while displaying that number as the local caller ID. Simply put, they can be used for outbound and inbound calls. This flexibility increases the likelihood of call pickups, making your international communication easier.

Get an India Phone Number with United World Telecom

India phone numbers provide a valuable opportunity to enhance your business revenue and expand your global reach. Don’t miss out on connecting with a broader audience! Get your India phone number today and start building relationships with clients locally and worldwide.

With options ranging from toll-free to local numbers, United World Telecom ensures your communications are flexible, reliable, and scalable.

And with flexible plans and 24/7 customer support, we make it easy for businesses to establish a presence in India without setting up a physical office.

Ready to grow your business in India? Get a toll-free, local, or mobile India number from United World Telecom and start building a stronger local presence today. Want to learn more? Chat with us online!

Need the best virtual phone number providers in the UK to support your business plans to expand within the United Kingdom? We’ve got you covered. In this comparison of UK virtual phone number providers, we’ll go over:

• Types of UK Virtual Numbers
• How to Choose a Reliable UK Phone Number Provider
• 8 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers in the UK: Comparison

Types of UK Virtual Numbers

Before we dig deep into the best providers of UK virtual numbers, let’s explore various types of phone numbers available for the United Kingdom below.

Toll-Free Numbers:
UK toll-free numbers (or freephone numbers) allow customers to call within the UK free of cost, encouraging more people to get in touch with businesses. These numbers usually start with “0800” or “0808” prefixes. Format for UK toll-free numbers: 0800 xxx xxxx.

Geographic (Local) Numbers:
These local numbers come with designated area codes that make them instantly recognizable to locals. For instance, London numbers start with “204,” while Manchester numbers begin with “1618.” Calls to these numbers are charged at local rates, which can vary depending on where the call originates and its destination. Format for London local numbers: +44 0204 xxx xxxx.

National Numbers:
National, or non-geographic, phone numbers are recognizable and accessible throughout the UK. Often used by companies, government agencies, and helplines, these numbers provide significant reach and convenience. These numbers start with “330”, “840,” or “845” and can be accessed from anywhere in the UK. And, like local numbers, they are charged local calling rates. Format for UK non-geographic numbers: +44 (0) 330 xxx xxxx.

Mobile Numbers:
UK mobile numbers start with “07” and consist of ten digits. They can be reached from anywhere in the UK. However, they cannot be used for verification or social media purposes. Format for UK mobile numbers is +44 (0) 7xxx-xxxxxx or 7441 xxxxxx.

How to Choose a Reliable UK Phone Number Provider

Choosing the best virtual phone number providers in the United Kingdom is essential for businesses seeking seamless communication and growth. Here are key factors to consider when finding a VoIP provider:

Identify Business Requirements: Before choosing the provider, take time to figure out precisely what your business needs to help you find a provider that aligns with your goals. What type of phone number is needed? How many calls do you expect to handle?

Explore Features and Services: Providers offer different features, so look at what’s included and what’s additional and how that compares with your business requirements. Do they provide advanced routing, IVR, AI insights, CRM integrations, or advanced analytics?

Compare Pricing Plans: Look at setup fees, per-minute rates, and any extra charges for premium features. You’ll want to find a plan that offers good value without sacrificing service quality.

Check the Provider’s Reputation: It’s always wise to see what others are saying. So, do not forget to read reviews, check out testimonials, and dig into any industry feedback. Providers with high customer satisfaction and good reviews are generally more reliable.

Evaluate Customer Support: Responsive customer support is important when it comes to phone service. Look for providers offering 24/7 tech support through live chat, email, or phone options. Good customer support resolves technical issues quickly, keeping disruptions to a minimum.

Make Sure They Follow Regulations: Your provider must comply with essential telecom regulations and data protection laws. This is key to keeping your business and your customer’s data secure.

Look for Extra Perks and Flexibility: Some providers go the extra mile by offering free trials, no long-term contracts, or flexible upgrade options. These perks can be convenient if you’re testing things out or planning to expand soon.

8 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers in the UK

Businesses progressively rely on virtual phone numbers for efficient and flexible communication. Whether you operate an online business, manage a remote team, or want to scale gradually, virtual numbers offer a cost-effective solution.

Here are the top providers for UK virtual numbers, along with information about the types of numbers, their pricing plans, and all advanced features:

1. United World Telecom
2. Global Call Forwarding
3. Virtual Landline
4. Vodafone UK
5. Telecoms World

Expand to the UK with the Right Virtual Phone Number Provider

Choosing the right virtual phone number provider for the United Kingdom is crucial for businesses looking to enhance their communication, expand their reach, and improve customer interactions. Each provider offers unique features and benefits, so selecting one that aligns with your business needs is key.

With United World Telecom—a global telephony provider—you can enjoy virtual numbers in the UK with our deep-rooted global presence, adjustable pricing plans, and feature-packed services.

With over two decades of experience, a proven track record, and a robust suite of advanced features, United World Telecom is the trusted choice for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, our UK virtual phone service and features like call forwarding and AI insights are designed to help you communicate efficiently and confidently grow your business.

So, are you ready to get your UK virtual phone numbers for business? Contact us by signing up on our website, giving us a call at (877) 898-8646, or chatting with us online right now!

Every business needs to maintain good relationships with its customers. And one way to do this is through customer service — by having someone personable to interact with your clients and resolve their issues. Whether it is to simply direct calls to different departments, answer simple questions about the company, or assist with complex tech support, customer care is necessary. A virtual answering service is a new way to engage with a company’s prospects. And businesses, especially small ones, are looking for answering services that can take some of the burdens off of them. So, is a virtual answering system something you can start on your own, and from the comfort of your home? Yes!

A Virtual Answering Service: The New Trend in Customer Care

Many small businesses are unable to hire someone to answer company calls 24/7. These companies, therefore, choose to outsource their office calls to a call center or an answering service that can do the job for them. With someone else handling customer calls, businesses can focus on other areas that require more immediate attention.

Now, starting your own answering service is easy. However, it is even easier when you consider going digital with it. A virtual answering service lets you create an online office with remote employees and cloud communication tools like cloud numbers. Let’s have a look at the different steps required when starting your own home-based answering service.

1) Create a Business Plan

The first step to starting any company or enterprise is to create a business plan outlining goals and market projections. This plan will take into account market research, ideal customer profiles, budget and expenses, and a plan of action. You may want to include potential investors you’d like or how many employees you want to hire, and so on.

2) Open a Business Bank Account and Start Budgeting

Once you have a business plan ready to go, you can reach out to investors for funds or start funding yourself. Either way, you would need to open a business bank account and start planning your budget. Think about how much you want to spend on employees, phone bills, equipment, and so on. This will later help you determine how much you should charge for your service.

3) Register the Business

To ensure potential customers take your company seriously, you need to take it seriously first. This means legitimizing your enterprise by registering it with the secretary of state or county clerk. Obtain a tax identification number and an employer identification number (EIN). These aside, make sure you get the necessary licenses and permits for your location.

4) Purchase Necessary Equipment

This is a necessary step because to properly run a virtual answering service, you need the right equipment and software. The best part about starting a digital answering service is that you are not limited to traditional phone lines. That means that you do not have to spend funds on getting several phone lines that connect to your public telephone network (PTSN). Instead, you can set up a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone system. This allows you to work with multiple cloud phone numbers that run through the internet and, therefore, just one traditional line. Calls made to virtual numbers can be answered anywhere in the world and on any device, which makes them an ideal fit for a remote answering business. This aside, research and purchase a call management software that works best for your needs.

5) Hire Remote Employees

If necessary and depending on the scope of your company, you can choose to hire a few remote employees to share the workload. This can also be done after your business starts growing.

6) Decide Your Service’s Rates

Based on the expenses incurred, plan out how to price your services so that you make a profit. Rates would depend on the number of hours you work out with your clients. You can charge various prices for standard work hours and additional for after-hours. Similarly, provide different packages with additional features or incentives. And if you extend your services to include other virtual office duties, you can increase your monthly income.

7) Market and Network

Once you have everything set up and ready to go, start promoting your service everywhere. Optimize your website by making it informational and educational. Then, utilize social media to get the word out. Market your website, your services, and everything you have to offer. Advertise your virtual number on billboards, business cards, and more. Also, consider email marketing and paid ads as ways to stay on your target clients’ screens. Build your professional profile and engage in networking on career sites. Look for job opportunities on major job boards and seek places that can utilize an after-hours answering service.

Offer Communication Solutions to Your Clients: Get a Virtual Phone Number Now!

Begin your process of starting your own virtual answering service with virtual numbers from United World Telecom. Sign up today or call us for more information about business numbers and how they can benefit your new company.

VTech provides phone systems with different components to help organize internal and external communications. An efficient VTech phone system combined with resourceful features of a business number from a reliable phone service provider can help improve the quality of your company’s customer interaction. Learn how to set up a VTech phone system and how to use United World Telecom’s service with it.

Setting Up Your Business VTech Phone

Before you purchase equipment, it is important to purchase a business phone number for your company. Your customer interaction depends on the type of phone number and line you choose to invest in. United World Telecom offers multiple virtual local and international numbers with international call forwarding. Virtual numbers route calls over the internet and with call forwarding, you can direct calls to whichever number you desire. With this service, you can access clients across the world with a reasonable payment plan and a good internet connection.

Once you have a business phone number and phone lines purchased, you can start setting up your VTech phone system. VTech systems come with a main console connected to analog phone lines and additional devices that are connected to the console wirelessly. VTech offers a variety of devices that you can choose from depending on your preference and company size. The main devices included are a main console, extension desk sets, and extension handsets. You can also get cordless headsets and cordless speakerphones.

Setting Up The Main Console

The Main Console is the main component of the business phone system. And other systems cannot work without it. The console can be expanded with up to 9 extension desk sets, extension handsets, cordless headsets, or cordless speakerphones. With these options, you can customize and create a phone system that best suits the needs of your office.

The devices communicate with the main console over wireless DECT technology. Therefore, you do not need to plug telephone lines into cordless devices, but only into the main console. You can also use the main console as a telephone with a single user using up to 4 telephone lines. You can purchase multiple telephone lines through United World Telecom.

To install the main console:

Step #1: Install the optional backup battery by inserting 4 AA batteries at the back of the console. This will be useful in case of a power failure.
Step #2: Next, install the mounting bracket for tabletop use by inserting fixed tabs on the mounting bracket into the desired slot. There are two locations for high or low visibility.
Step #3: Connect the handset cord by plugging one end of the cord into the handset jack on the side of the console.
Step #4: Then, connect telephone lines at the back of the console, open the line jack cover, and plug one end of the telephone line into the telephone line jack (L1, L2, L3, or L4). Plug the other into the telephone wall outlet.

Note: Repeat this for all the telephones lines you wish to connect. If you have two two-line wall outlets, plug one line in L1/2 and the other in L3/4. Do not connect a fifth or sixth line in the empty L2 or L4 jacks.

Step #5: Next, connect the power by inserting the smaller end of the power adapter into the power jack at the back of the console. Plug the other end to a power outlet not controlled by a wall switch.
Step #6: Finally, test for a dial tone. Give the console a few minutes to start up and enter idle mode. When it is in idle mode, press each of the available line keys to test for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone for each line, the installation was successful and you can now make and receive calls.

Connecting the Cordless Extension Deskset

In order to use the cordless extension desk set as part of your VTech phone system, it must be registered to the main console.
First, install the rechargeable backup battery by plugging the battery connector securely into the socket inside the battery compartment.
Then, install the mounting bracket, connect the coiled handset, and connect the power.

To register the cordless extension desk set to the main console:

Step #1: Press Menu/Select on the main console.
Step #2: Select Registration.
Step #3: Then, select Register Extension.
Step #4: Then, press # on the extension desk set.
Step #5: The desk set screen will display Registering. Registration may take up to 60 seconds.
Step #6: Once registration is complete, both desk sets will show Desk set X Registered, where ‘X’ is the extension number of the device. This is unique across each system and cannot be changed.
Step #7: While the desk set is in idle mode, lift the corded handset. If you hear a dial tone, the registration was successful.
Step #8: Repeat the same steps to add another extension desk set to your business VTech phone system.

Installing the Cordless Handset

Cordless handsets are not stand-alone phones and must also be registered with the main console. Here’s how to install the cordless handset:

• First, plug the smaller end of the power adapter to the handset charger and the larger end into a power outlet not controlled by a wall switch.
• Then, install the battery by connecting the battery connector into the socket inside the handset battery compartment.
• Next, place the handset in the charger to charge.

To register a cordless handset with the main console:

Follow the instructions for registering extension desk sets (mentioned above) as the registration process is the same. Once registered, test for dial tones. And repeat these steps to add additional handsets.

United World Telecom with VTech Phone Systems

Once you have all the devices ready to go, you can customize your phone service and lines with United World Telecom. Get additional benefits of call forwarding, call recording, unlimited extensions, call transfers, and more. You can make use of an interactive voice response (IVR) system to automatically direct calls to voicemail or other extensions. With all of this setup, all you will have to do is answer or make calls and focus on your business. These systems together make communication manageable and convenient. Sign up for a business phone number with United World Telecom today and get your phone system all sorted out.

It’s only natural that many business owners want to cut costs on nearly every aspect of their business. Consequently, businesses try to cut corners in terms of their phone service, looking at such alternatives as Whatsapp and Google Voice. This may work as a stop-gap measure, particularly for bootstrapped small businesses and startups, however, not without some serious drawbacks. In this article, we’ll look at some important aspects of a free phone number vs a paid phone number.

Free Phone Number Vs Paid Phone Number: Consider the Limited Functionality

When it comes to using free phone services, you get what you pay for. This is typically fine for basic everyday calls. However, what happens when you want to use it for your business and need to scale its functionality? The truth is that a lot of these free phone services build their revenue model around roping in initial users. Once reliant on the service, it becomes harder and pricier to do what paid phone services do.

By contrast, using United World Telecom’s subscription services enables users to:

• Instantly adjust their telephone-based communications via United World Telecom’s easy-to-use dashboard interface.
• Augment their capabilities with add-ons and enhanced functionalities, such as PBX directories (Private Branch Exchange), white/blacklisting, simultaneous ringing, etc.
• The ability to record and store inbound and outbound conversations with the add-on ”call recording.” While Google Voice allows users to record incoming calls, it doesn’t allow you to record outgoing calls.
• Use more sophisticated features, such as setting up a directory system.

Porting and Transferring Your Phone Number

When it comes time to upgrade your service by selecting another service provider rather than the free options, you may hit a few snags. Porting and transferring your phone number to a new provider comes with costs and a bit of tech know-how.

By the time you’ve established your business/ personal contacts with a phone number, you will notice a few problems. First, you may need to endure porting/transferring fees from a service provider. (Note: United World Telecom offers relatively low porting fees) Second, customers familiar with your phone number now have to adjust, which can lead to lost revenue or frustration.

Wifi Dependency

Another common problem that free phone service like Google Voice has is reliance on Wi-Fi service. The issue is that it is easily interrupted. This presents a certain level of inconvenient for someone who has access, however, your phone will not work in areas with minimal/slow Wi-Fi access.

In fact, a lot of users of free phone service end up purchasing a hotspot or data plan to meet their communication needs. This ends up negating the savings they intended from the get-go.

Customer Support

Ever try getting in contact with Google or Whatsapp by phone to resolve a service issue? Chances are, you’ve ended up frustrated and had to browse online forums just to get an answer. You may find it troubling when you’ve got business deals to finalize or time-sensitive issues that need resolving ASAP.

Instead, the customer service representatives at United World Telecom are specially trained to handle any problem you may encounter. They offer 24/7/365 availability to assist you with anything from resolving a technical issue to recommending a service plan that fits your business usage.

In Conclusion

As you can see, a paid phone number is simply superior to a free phone option. To find out more about the paid phone service from United World Telecom, visit United World Telecom’s homepage or call us to begin learning about the advantages of subscribing today.