A virtual local phone number is a telephone number that routes incoming calls to one of the preset telephone numbers chosen by the owner of the local number.

Product Application

Virtual local phone numbers are used by businesses to have a local presence in a market of interest. For example, a company located in Europe can have a local phone number in New York. Virtual local phone numbers are very popular among call centers, which appear to be physically located in one country, when in fact they are located in another. Virtual local phone numbers are also popular with people currently residing in a foreign country, because they give their friends and families a number at which they can be reached at a local-call price rate.

How can a virtual local number be used with an office PBX system?

Virtual local numbers can be used with a company’s private branch exchange (PBX) system. A virtual number provider allocates one or more trunk lines to a company’s PBX, allocates a range of telephone numbers to this line, and forwards all calls via this trunk. When a call arrives to the PBX system, the dialed destination extension number is transmitted so the PBX system can route the call to the desired extension. The benefit of having a virtual local phone number is that a company can offer individual phone numbers for each employee or workstation without requiring a physical telephone line for each number.

What sort of equipment is required to acquire a virtual local phone number?

Virtual local phone numbers are hosted in the cloud and require no hardware. Cloud telephony companies like CallFire allow you to purchase a local virtual number and configure that number to forward calls to a number of your choosing, or have calls directed to a company PBX or IVR.

What are the advantages of having a virtual local phone number?

Virtual local numbers require no hardware and are easily configurable. When combined with a company PBX, or when calls are directed to IVR systems, a company can avoid purchasing physical lines for each employee and workstation — a major cost savings for a large organization. The cost savings also extend to the company’s callers. With a virtual number on your phone or mobile, callers pay local rates when they call an organization.