Extension-Only Dialing

Many legacy softswitches and IP PBXs support a business feature known as Extension-Only Dialing, in which the devices can dial only extensions and emergency services (911, 933 and 988). This feature can be reproduced on Business Cloud Communications and Cloud PBX. There are a few use cases for this, such as:

• Phones in common areas, like lobbies or break rooms.
• Users who are only allowed to dial extensions.

To configure Extension-Only Dialing for specific users or devices, a new calling plan will be created with zero plan minutes and no allowed calling areas.

1. Create a New Calling Plan

Calling plans can be created by Platform users, usually an admin, whose Group permission  for Product Calling Plan is set to Delete (most permissive rights).

1. Log in to the Admin Portal.
2. Navigate to Management > Calling Plans.
3. Click [+ Add Calling Plan] on the right. If you cannot see this button, please reach out to your  account administrator or contact your Customer Success Manager for assistance.
4. Configure the new calling plan as follows:
   

   Field	Setting
   Name	Extensions Only
   Plan Minutes	0 (zero)
   Unlimited Display	Off
   Overage	Off
   Forward Restrictions	On (to prevent the forwarding of calls outside the plan.)
   Default Plan	Off
   Unlimited Local Calling	Off
   Free On-Net to On-Net Calling	Off
   Allow 411	Off
   Allow Operator	Off
   411	0 (zero)
   Operator	0 (zero)

5. When you're done, click [Save] to add the calling plan to the account.

2. Import Calling Plan Definition

Next, import a custom plan definition file with no allowed calling areas. Calls to emergency services (911, 933, 988) will still route correctly.

1. Locate your new calling plan in the list and click to expand it.
2. Scroll down to Per Call Rates and click [Export]. A .csv file with the route plan template will be downloaded.
3. Open the .csv file and modify it to block calls to all destinations.
   • On line 2, change OnPlan (column F) and IsAllowed (column G) to FALSE.
   • Delete everything after line 2, so only lines 1 and 2 are left.
     
4. Save the file.
5. Back in the Admin Portal, click [Import].
6. Select the updated .csv file from your computer and upload it to the account.
7. Click [Save]. The route plan rules for this calling plan will be updated.

3. Assign the Calling Plan

Finally, assign the calling plan to user(s). For devices used in break rooms or other common areas, the device may be assigned to a non-person user like Lobby #1.

1. Go to Users > Edit > Settings tab.
2. Scroll down to Calling Plans and click [+ Add Calling Plan].
3. From the drop-down menu, select the new Extensions Only plan you just created.
4. Click [Create].

For more detailed steps, read User Calling Plans.

4. Delete the Default Calling Plan

All users are assigned a default calling plan by default. For the Extensions Only calling plan to work as intended (block all calls except those to 911, 933, 988, and internal extensions), Extensions Only must be the only calling plan assigned to the user.

1. Expand the default or extra calling plan and click [Delete] on the left.
2. Read the confirmation message: "Are you sure you'd like to remove the calling plan now, or would you like to wait until the next billing cycle?" To delete the calling plan now, click [Now].
3. Click [Save].

That's it!

This user can now dial only extensions and emergency services.