How do VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services handle phone numbers?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:21 am
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services fundamentally change how phone calls are transmitted by using the internet instead of traditional phone lines (the PSTN). However, to integrate with the existing global telecommunications network, VoIP services still rely heavily on conventional phone numbers. Here's how they handle them:
Phone Numbers as Virtual Identifiers:
Unlike traditional landlines where a phone number is bolivia number database tied to a physical copper pair connecting to a specific exchange, a VoIP phone number is a virtual identifier. It's not inherently linked to a physical location or a specific device. Instead, it's assigned to a user account or a "softphone" (software that emulates a phone on a computer or mobile device) or a dedicated VoIP phone that connects to the internet.
Adherence to E.164 Standard:
Despite using the internet for transmission, VoIP services generally adhere to the E.164 international numbering plan. This means that VoIP numbers look just like regular phone numbers, complete with country codes, area codes, and subscriber numbers (e.g., +880 1712 345678 for a mobile number in Bangladesh, or +1 212 555 1234 for a US number). This adherence is crucial for interoperability with the PSTN.
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and Number Association:
The core protocol that enables VoIP calls is SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). When you get a VoIP number, your VoIP service provider associates that phone number with your SIP account. Your VoIP device (be it a softphone app on your smartphone, a computer application, or a dedicated VoIP desk.
Phone Numbers as Virtual Identifiers:
Unlike traditional landlines where a phone number is bolivia number database tied to a physical copper pair connecting to a specific exchange, a VoIP phone number is a virtual identifier. It's not inherently linked to a physical location or a specific device. Instead, it's assigned to a user account or a "softphone" (software that emulates a phone on a computer or mobile device) or a dedicated VoIP phone that connects to the internet.
Adherence to E.164 Standard:
Despite using the internet for transmission, VoIP services generally adhere to the E.164 international numbering plan. This means that VoIP numbers look just like regular phone numbers, complete with country codes, area codes, and subscriber numbers (e.g., +880 1712 345678 for a mobile number in Bangladesh, or +1 212 555 1234 for a US number). This adherence is crucial for interoperability with the PSTN.
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and Number Association:
The core protocol that enables VoIP calls is SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). When you get a VoIP number, your VoIP service provider associates that phone number with your SIP account. Your VoIP device (be it a softphone app on your smartphone, a computer application, or a dedicated VoIP desk.