Category: Blog

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!

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
• How to Choose a Reliable France Phone Number Provider
• 6 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers in France: Comparison

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.

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!

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
• How to Choose a Reliable Canada Phone Number Provider
• 8 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers in Canada: Comparison

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:

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!

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 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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:

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 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.