Limit the Minutes an Extension can make external calls

[vincent Kavila]

Hello,

I needed to limit the number of minutes an extension can make external calls using a SIP trunk.
Is that possible through 3CX?

 

[TheodorosG_3CX]

From the PBX you can only limit the call duration of the calls globally and not individual for each extension.

 

[vincent Kavila]

From the PBX you can only limit the call duration of the calls globally and not individual for each extension.

How do I do that?

 

[TheodorosG_3CX]

You may check the below blog post for reference:
• https://www.3cx.com/blog/docs/calls-end-after-3-hours/

 

[vincent Kavila]

You may check the below blog post for reference:
• https://www.3cx.com/blog/docs/calls-end-after-3-hours/

Are you sure? This KB article is 16 years old... The 3CX interface has completely changed.

 

[vincent Kavila]

You may check the below blog post for reference:
• https://www.3cx.com/blog/docs/calls-end-after-3-hours/

I have seen it, sorry

 

[vincent Kavila]

So, If I put lets say 2hrs, that means that after the 2 hrs is depleted no one can make an external call?

 

[TheodorosG_3CX]

The parameter is the same, this has not been changed.

 

[TheodorosG_3CX]

No this means that after this timeout the call will be dropped.

 

[vincent Kavila]

No this means that after this timeout the call will be dropped.

I need to block everyone from making external calls in the event the hrs allocated are depleted.

 

[TheodorosG_3CX]

I'm afraid that this is not an option.
You can however disable the outbound calls outside the office hours.

 

[vincent Kavila]

I'm afraid that this is not an option.
You can however disable the outbound calls outside the office hours.

Okay.... some features 3CX needs to add because clients are the ones asking and if they find the system cant do that they start feeling unsatisfied.

 

[VoIPTools]

The only way to do this would be to create a server-side service that can monitor all calls and then sum the minutes used, then when the limit is reached update the extension. This is possible to do with the 3CX Call Control API. We do this with our wallboards.

 

[NicholasP_3CX]

This is ultimately something your VoIP Provider should be controlling. 3CX does have the capability of limiting the duration of specific calls, but keeping a tally of how many minutes can be placed is not possible. There may be other SIP registrations to the provider from other devices which may be billed under one account.

This may be best to be requested from your SIP Trunk instead.

 

[NicholasP_3CX]

Okay.... some features 3CX needs to add because clients are the ones asking and if they find the system cant do that they start feeling unsatisfied.

As a partner, you should be educating the clients as to what is a reasonable request and what is not. In this case, the question should be going to the provider. They maintain control of the billing of the SIP Trunk.

It is unfair to have the client think it is a lack of functionality of 3CX.

 

[vincent Kavila]

This is ultimately something your VoIP Provider should be controlling. 3CX does have the capability of limiting the duration of specific calls, but keeping a tally of how many minutes can be placed is not possible. There may be other SIP registrations to the provider from other devices which may be billed under one account.

This may be best to be requested from your SIP Trunk instead.

Hello, I already know about this.
Was trying to see if it's possible to put some maximum utilizations on a specific DID on 3CX using minutes instead of the amount it can spend. It's fine, I already got an answer to it.

 

[vincent Kavila]

As a partner, you should be educating the clients as to what is a reasonable request and what is not. In this case, the question should be going to the provider. They maintain control of the billing of the SIP Trunk.

It is unfair to have the client think it is a lack of functionality of 3CX.

I totally agree with you @NicholasP_3CX, Actually, the challenge I had regarding this was about grouping customer contacts on 3CX into groups for assigning agents when making follow-up calls through the call center functionality of 3CX.