DID is an acronym for Direct Inward Dialing. This acronym is specifically used within the USA and some other places. In Europe, the acronym DDI is used. It is a telephone feature offered by carriers to clients to direct incoming calls to their specific destinations automatically, using their PBX features to redirect calls associated with a particular telephone line.
What is a DID?
Simply put, it is phone numbers. VoIP origination providers order local phone lines from local carriers like AT&T. They then connect these local lines to VoIP gateways like asterisk PBX systems so the call can be converted into VoIP or a digital signal and sent to you, the customer. This is called VoIP Origination Service or ordering Local DIDs. But the term local is really not local anymore because what is local? If you can order a number from Miami or Africa and have the call sent to your device anywhere in the world and answer the call are you local?
What is local number porting? (LNP)
LNP is an acronym for Local Number Portability. When your existing telephone number is routed or rotated in-between providers or networks, then porting has taken place. VoIP , number porting may mean moving your old analogue telephone number to a VoIP service provider. In this case, the old number becomes your voice over internet number allowing you to access VoIP PBX features like online voice mail and using VoIP phones.
Can any number be converted into VoIP DID?
Yes, this is call porting. Any local wholesaler can port a number onto their network using the customer’s carrier of choice. For example, we use Level3 Communications. They are a VoIP origination carrier for the entire USA. If we wanted a number from New York, we would ask for the New York number to be ported onto their network. The charge for this is normally around $30.00 US. Once they receive the number from the current carrier, they would then point the number to one of our IP gateways or VoIP device.
Can a carrier stop a port request?
No, 99% of all number can be ported as long as you can prove that the number belongs to you. Same as cell phone numbers. I say 99% because the other 1% belongs to numbers that are for special use or designated as shared use numbers.
DID numbers come in three types
- Toll Free Numbers
- Local USA Number
- International Numbers
DID Providers
Those of you from outside of the US, I apologize for calling your numbers international but you know how Americans think:) My hat is off to you! We all need to get on the One World Alliance.