Outbound calls in app through cellulair platform

[kaajee]

Hi there,

Is it possible in the mobile (android) app to make outbound calls only through/via the cellular network of our mobile provider instead of through the 3cx platform?
We all have a flat fee contract with our mobile provider, so outbound calls are already payed for in a fixed price. This way we would like to use the mobile network (only) (outbound call through 3cx wil cost us extra).

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

If you use the 3CX mobile app, outbound calls will be proxied through the 3CX PBX and there is no way to change this. You would have to use the device's default phone app to make calls via the GSM/Cellular network.

 

[kaajee]

Okay that's a pitty!.
Other platforms/apps (Xelion) offer this feature, to place outbpund calls through the celluair network. Looks like a simple 'shortcut' in their app to use the standard dialer. Maybe something to think about?

In the meantime: is is possible then to 'block' outbound calls, so that people can not use the 3cx app for outbound calls at all? So that one has to use the 'standard' dialer?

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

Other platforms/apps (Xelion) offer this feature, to place outbpund calls through the celluair network. Looks like a simple 'shortcut' in their app to use the standard dialer. Maybe something to think about?

You could maybe take a look in our ideas section to see whether anyone else posted this or something similar so that you can upvote it and help move it up the list. There is actually something similar here you can upvote if you like.

In the meantime: is is possible then to 'block' outbound calls, so that people can not use the 3cx app for outbound calls at all? So that one has to use the 'standard' dialer?

Not really I'm afraid. At least not specifically for the 3CX mobile app. You can block external calls to apply to an extension when Out of office hours though. What are the users using? Is it just the 3CX Mobile clients or do they have deskphones when in office? If deskphones, how are they provisioned, are they remote to the 3CX PBX and using the 3CX SBC or STUN?

 

[kaajee]

We are still in the phase of deciding to take/use 3cx or another platform. But his issue is quite important for us. Because, as i stated, we already have a mobile platform which suits us more then okay.


We primarily want to use a new voip platform for better routing inbound/incoming calls.

Therefore we intend to configure the 3cx software (softphone/webclient/mobile app or even deskphone) not to use the 3cx system for outbound calls, since we want to make those through the cellular way. Two reasons; we are already paying for this service and the system can mainly be used for incoming calls, so we don't need to worry that much about the total capacity of lines available in 3cx for example.


So if it can be done through a central setting instead of in the app it’s okay as well. Even better; most users should no be able to use 3cx for outbound, some users (receptionists for example) should be able to make some outbound calls through 3cx.

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

Therefore we intend to configure the 3cx software (softphone/webclient/mobile app or even deskphone) not to use the 3cx system for outbound calls, since we want to make those through the cellular way. Two reasons; we are already paying for this service and the system can mainly be used for incoming calls, so we don't need to worry that much about the total capacity of lines available in 3cx for example.

In that case, do note that there is an option to disable external calls for an extension. This will prevent the extensions from making outbound calls but will allow them to receive inbound calls and also allow them to make and receive internal calls(extension to extension). Do bear in mind that this affects the whole extension, regardless of where it is provisioned (webclient, mobile app, IP Phone, etc).

In any case, I strongly recommend you give 3CX a quick test run and test all these different types of configs yourself to make sure it suits your use case. It's ludicrously easy to setup and should take you less than 20 minutes to get a 3CX Instance up and running and also hosted by us meaning you don't even need to spare any resources. All you would need extra is a SIP Trunk since you want to test scenarios with Outbound calls but I'm sure that with a quick search you'll be able to find a provider that also offers trial accounts. Ideally you would try one of our Supported SIP Providers which will make setting up a breeze.