What does E164 Processing Actually Do?

[fancyHeat]

I've really been struggling to understand what E164 Processing does in 3CX. I've read numerous posts and unfortunately still can't grasp what it does. Also there doesn't seem to be an official documentation about it.

Would anyone be able to explain it?

 

[leejor]

E164 is simply a set of rules that defines telephone numbers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.164

In 3CX, the E164 processing changes a user dialled number (including numbers with a leading +) into something (a "standard") that can be interpreted by your outbound rules (and your provider).

You don't have to use it, but it does solve the problem of numbers dialled with a leading +, and what that needs to be changed into, to then be handled by the rules, depending on the call type (local, national, or international).

 

[fancyHeat]

E164 is simply a set of rules that defines telephone numbers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.164

In 3CX, the E164 processing changes a user dialled number (including numbers with a leading +) into something (a "standard") that can be interpreted by your outbound rules (and your provider).

Thanks for the reply! I'm familiar with that E.164 is in itself, just not how/what the settings inside 3CX do.

It sounds like it's essentially just another set of outbound rules, dedicated to handling E.164?

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi @fancyHeat

E.164 format would present a number as say +123456

Your provider may not accept the + sign so when a user has stored their contact as +123456 and tries to dial out, the provider will reject the call.

- E164 Processing automatically converts those numbers to say 00123456 before they are sent out via your trunk.

- It can also convert a local number from say +44 123456789 to simply 0123456789

 

[fancyHeat]

Hi @fancyHeat

E.164 format would present a number as say +123456

Your provider may not accept the + sign so when a user has stored their contact as +123456 and tries to dial out, the provider will reject the call.

- E164 Processing automatically converts those numbers to say 00123456 before they are sent out via your trunk.

- It can also convert a local number from say +44 123456789 to simply 0123456789

Wow okay that's actually really simple and straightforward. Thanks!

 

[fancyHeat]

@JohnS_3CX would it be possible to explain what each of these settings do?

 

[YiannisH_3CX]

Select country: Pretty straight forward. Select the country you are in so the system knows your country code. For our examples lets use US as our country.

Remove if same country: When this option is selected and you try calling the same country using the E164 format the country code will be removed from the called number.
Example: Number dialed as +12345678910 will be converted to 2345678910.

International Dial Code: If you call a different country using the E164 format then the number will be converted and the international dial code will be added. If you are in the US for example this will be 011. This will enable you to make international calls without the "+"
Example: Number dialed as +44123456789 will be converted to 01144123456789

Area Code: Here you can add your area code so if you are making calls within your area and the area code is not required then you can strip it if the "Remove if same Area Code" is selected.
Example: Our area code is set to 813. Number dialed as +181345678910 will be converted to 45678910

National Code: If you need to add a national code to make calls then you can add a national code here and it will be prepended to the number during the processing.
Example: National code set to 8. Number dialed as +12345678910 will be converted to 82345678910

Add Prefix: A prefix can be added in case it is needed or if you want to use it to select an outbound rule. E164 rules are processed before the outbound rules.
Example: Prefix is set to 2. Number dialed as +12345678910 will be converted to 22345678910