Outbound Rules (eg. Blocking LD) before PMS integration

[3CXfan]

I need some help with verifying the following outbound rules designed to block all national calls and international calls, permitting only local calls in our province (state) to get through.

This is because we want to go live with 3CX ASAP so our guests (in a hotel) can use the room phones to make local calls. Later we will follow the steps in this 3CX Guide for Configuring the Billing Interface to integrate with PMS which will hopefully enable posting of call charges automatically, then we can allow room guests to make national and international calls.

Here are the rules I set up, after consulting multiple sources such as this 3CX blog and forums posts such as this, this, this and this.



1. Local calls: I added "9" in front of each area code permitted and added "1" to "Strip Digits" so call number format will comply with the 10-digit requirement in our local area/province. I had to add "9" because previous instructions posted in guests rooms already mention dialing "9" before the destination number.

2. Block All Other 10-digit calls: this is to block all other calls in North America that follows the 10-digits requirement

3. Block 10-Digit with Leading 1: this is to block all other North America calls in case someone adds 1 in front of 10-digit call

4. Block LD in Intl Format: this is block all other North America calls in case someone tries to bypass all of the above by using 011 international format

5.6 Block International (011) and (00): this is to block all international calls starting with 011 or 00 with different number lengths

Since this is my first-ever 3CX implementation, I am afraid I am still missing something so feedback is appreciated.

 

[leejor]

I assume that you will also include 9+ all long distance prefixes (1, 011, 00 and 0), as people will try 9+ if they see that "local" calls require that prefix. You may want to route to the receptionist, or a recording of some sort for the time being. Don't forget 9+411 (some will try calling this), and how you deal with 911. Also... 9+510 numbers...ordering a pizza, and the like.

You might also consider adding toll free numbers to the permitted list

 

[3CXfan]

Thanks @leejor for your suggestions, I added a new set of rules to address the prefix "9" plus:

• blocking 411
• allowing 811 (for Health Authority)
• allowing toll-free

For 911, I used the Settings > General > Emergency numbers to set it so I didn't create outbound rules for these.

The LD codes that I have blocked are 1, 011 and 00 but I am not certain there is still a need to block "0" or "90" because:
a) Dialing "0" from room goes to reception
b) I think my VOIP provider will not accept 0+10 digital number as valid

Below is a new draft. Feedback is welcomed.

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

The only entry I see an issue with is the very last one "Allow Toll-Free". It will never be matched because of the third rule you have "Block NA LD w/Prefix 1". All calls to numbers starting with 1 and that have a total digit length of 11 will be dropped from the third outbound rule. You should place that last outbound rule above your currently third outbound rule.

Another suggestion would be to merge all outbound rules you have in the middle without a digit length restriction into one. This of course will not affect functionality and is up to you based on your preference.

 

[3CXfan]

The only entry I see an issue with is the very last one "Allow Toll-Free". It will never be matched because of the third rule you have "Block NA LD w/Prefix 1". All calls to numbers starting with 1 and that have a total digit length of 11 will be dropped from the third outbound rule. You should place that last outbound rule above your currently third outbound rule.

Another suggestion would be to merge all outbound rules you have in the middle without a digit length restriction into one. This of course will not affect functionality and is up to you based on your preference.

Thanks for pointing the issue with "Allow Toll-Free", it's now placed above "Block NA LD w/Prefix 1"

I also understand your suggestion to "merge all outbound rules in the middle without digit length restriction into one." This is more and if I understood correctly, you are referring to only 011 and 00 prefixes only, correct?

I am asking because I think if both restrictions for Prefix "1" with 11-digit length and "91" with 12-digit length are removed, then these rules seem to prevent guest rooms to call other room numbers such as 101, 102? Am I right?

Based on the above assumptions, here are my latest outbound rules. Feedback is welcomed.

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

I was actually referring to the ones that currently have not digit length restrictions:



Calling other rooms should not be affected as internal extensions are checked first.

You might also want to consider going through our training material regarding Advanced Outbound Routing which actually goes through some examples which you could potentially use or adjust to your scenario as well: https://www.3cx.com/3cxacademy/videos/advanced/configuring-outbound-routing/