Virtual private number
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Virtual Private Number is a telephone number that forwards incoming calls to any of a number of pre-set telephone numbers. These are also called a follow-me number, a virtual telephone number or (in the UK) Personal Number.[1]
Usually a virtual telephone number can be set to forward calls to different telephone numbers depending on the time of day and the day of the week; for example, between 9-5 on working days incoming calls will be forwarded to one's workplace, but in the weekends to one's cellphone.
Contents |
[edit] International
Some companies are offering International Virtual telephone number. So a company located in China can have a phone number in Los Angeles and/or London. Virtual Numbers are very popular among call centers which appear to be located in one country, when in fact they are in one or more countries in different time zone, delivering efficient 24/7 cover. Other popular users of international virtual numbers are immigrants, which appreciate the fact that their friends and family back home can contact them using a local call.
Some countries limit the use of Virtual Phone Numbers because they may bypass restrictions on international calls.
[edit] Examples
Some companies offering Virtual Numbers are:
- Google Voice
- Onebox
- SendMyCall Guard your privacy
- HostedNumbers
- JetNumbers.com (forwarding to any phone number)
- Flextel - website founded the UK market in 1993
- Vonage (forwards virtual numbers to a VoIP service).
- YAC
In the North American Numbering Plan, Area code 500 and Area code 533 are follow-me numbers, and referred to as Personal Communications Service (NANP).
In the United Kingdom, these are offered under the 070xx non-geographical dialing code, referred to as Personal Numbering Service (PNS).
[edit] References
Also Skype
[edit] See also
- Follow-me, the same concept for PBXs
- Unified Messaging
- Universal Personal Telecommunications
