No Jitter is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

iNum Nets Global Presence

In 2008, Voxbone launched iNums, which are global phone numbers to support IP communications. SIP trunks get you US numbers pretty much wherever you want, but iNums use a unique identifier and net you DID numbers in other countries. Voxbone currently offers DID numbers from more than 50 countries and 4,000 cities. iNum simply means "International Number."

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) created the +883 global country code. Using the international number range of +883 5100 assigned to Voxbone, iNums enable a customer to establish a local presence in new locations with a single, portable number. Unlike traditional telephone numbers that are tied to geographic locations, iNums are not reined in, and remain with you anywhere in the world.

iNums are distributed and routed by a growing list of service providers. For locations that won't route iNums via a local provider, iNums are accessed by (iNum initiative's) local access numbers in 45 countries. Some providers will route iNum calls between other iNums for free. iNums also include SMS.

Now as iNums grow and are accessible by more providers, the opportunity for SMB or large enterprise to connect with prospects and customers abounds. Just like in the USA with traditional rates and tariffs giving way to IP, the international scene for obtaining a local presence is now uncomplicated. I see iNums as a tool for removing another barrier to communications.

Imagine this: all providers accept iNums. What will this mean for communications moving forward? Making calls globally is becoming inconsequential. Presence takes on the meaning of anywhere and collaboration is possible with anyone with a connection.

IP has pierced the traditional telephony veil and establishing a presence is no longer constrained by rates and tariffs or V&H coordinates, and collaboration isn’t restricted by lack of visas and passports. Along with the good and the bad, the world economy is edging closer to realizing global communications and collaboration in a new way.