How to Get a Global Number or Global Toll Free Number

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It's one of the questions we hear most frequently from our customers: "Can I set up a global virtual number for my business?". The convenience that a worldwide virtual number can provide is obvious, especially if it's toll-free. The topic we'll cover today is all global phone number solutions available and how different businesses implement them.

We will discuss the following topics in this article:

  • How to Get a Global Phone Number
  • Number Types Available
  • Pros & Cons of Universal Toll Free Numbers
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Global Phone Numbers

Who shouldn't use a global toll free number? A global toll free number doesn't make sense for a business that only requires toll-free access from just a few countries.  It's much more cost-effective to avoid global toll free number registration fees and other fees by purchasing separate ITFS or DID numbers in your desired countries. While its easier to market just one virtual number, having country-specific toll free numbers can help create a more local presence in specific countries or regions around the world.

How to Get a Global Number

A company can use a variety of methods to provide its customers with a global phone number. There are, however, limitations to each approach. Let's look at your options.

Available Number Types

When most people think of a global toll free number, they picture a single 800 number that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. The closest thing to that is a Universal International Toll Free Number (UIFN). UIFNs are global toll-free numbers that can be called from any country participating in UIFNs. About 50 countries participate in UIFNs.

Global Toll Free Number (UIFN)

Do you remember the time you were on a video call and your lip movement didn't match what you were hearing? That was VoIP latency. It means your call's audio and/or video are being delayed. Network congestion is usually to blame, but it can also be due to poor wiring or outdated network equipment. It is possible to reduce latency by upgrading your team's hardware and software while reminding them to reduce other bandwidth usages. QoS standards can also be implemented by your IT team.

Local DID Numbers

Oftentimes, customers are surprised to find out that their local business number can be reached from callers in most other countries around the world. Although, much like global toll free numbers, local numbers have limits. While local numbers are typically inexpensive to the callers within the country, any customers calling from another country may have to pay expensive long-distance charges. However, since local numbers are inexpensive, many businesses are willing to set up local numbers in all their target countries instead of relying on one global local number.

International Toll Free (UIFN Alternative)

Setting up international toll free numbers or local DID numbers in your business's target countries is the best alternative to UIFN/global toll free numbers. While a toll free number would be required in each country, it remains a very cost-effective option and gives your international customers a free way to connect with your company.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Universal Toll Free Numbers:

Advantages:

  • Available in 50 countries around the world.
  • Can be in a vanity number format (e.g. using a memorable name or sequence like 1800-FLOWERS).
  • Include call management features like call forwarding.
  • Great for international marketing initiatives.
  • Ability to advertise just one number in multiple countries.

Disadvantages:

  • Not available for any countries that aren't a UIFN country.
  • More expensive than a traditional toll free number.
  • Can include a pricey registration fee for each number
  • The number format varies by country, so it may be unfamiliar to callers.

Who shouldn't use a global toll free number? A global toll free number doesn't make sense for a business that only requires toll-free access from just a few countries.  It's much more cost-effective to avoid global toll free number registration fees and other fees by purchasing separate ITFS or DID numbers in your desired countries. While its easier to market just one virtual number, having country-specific toll free numbers can help create a more local presence in specific countries or regions around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Global toll free number providers charge a setup fee from $200 to $300. This is due to the fact that the ITU charges each carrier about $200 just to set up a new global toll free number. There are also standard monthly costs associated with each number. The more countries you would like toll free access in, the higher the subscription fees.

On the other hand, toll free numbers have no expensive registration fees and are generally a cheaper alternative.  International toll free numbers purchased from our partner AVOXI in countries like Australia, Hong Kong, the UK and the USA start as low as $4.49 - $7.99 per month.

UIFN numbers include a 3- digit access country code and then an 8-digit numerical code. This gives you a phone number that is 11 digits long. 

For example, the UIFN format for a caller from the UK would be:

  • (00) +800 XXXX-XXXX.

To call UIFN numbers, callers first have to dial their country’s international access code (IAC). This means that the UIFN format includes a country’s dial-code, the 800 prefix, and eight digits. Callers in many countries are not familiar with this format, making advertising more complicated. In addition, some countries impose restrictions on UIFN numbers that ITFS is not subject to. For example:

  • Australia: +0011 (IAC) – 800 (UIFN prefix) – xxxx-xxxx (UIFN)
  • Argentina: +00 (IAC) – 800 (UIFN prefix) – xxxx-xxxx (UIFN)
  • Finland: +990 (IAC) – 800 (UIFN prefix) – xxxx-xxxx (UIFN)
  • Canada: +011 (IAC) – 800 (UIFN prefix) – xxxx-xxxx (UIFN)

The time it takes to set up a global phone number depends on the provider and countries for which your business needs a UIFN number. Many providers require at least 30 business days to provision a UIFN number. For more remote countries, it can take as long as 6 months.

Yes, calls can be forwarded to your mobile device. You can choose a variety of forwarding options from your online user interface, including forwarding to one or multiple devices around the globe. You also have access unlimited IVR menus, call recording, custom greetings, and more!