What Are DID Numbers?
A DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number is a phone number that routes directly to your SIP trunk. Unlike traditional PRI lines where you get a block of sequential numbers, DIDs let you pick individual numbers from any available area code.
With a SIP trunk provider like IPComms, you can have local numbers from hundreds of area codes all routing to the same Asterisk system.
Per number/month
Area codes available
Activation time
Choosing Your Local Numbers
Area Code Strategy
Choose area codes where your customers are located. Local numbers get answered more often than toll-free or out-of-area numbers.
Number Types Available
| Type | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Local (geographic) | Local presence, higher answer rates | $1.50/mo + usage |
| Toll-free (800/888/877) | National presence, customer service | $2.00/mo + usage |
| Vanity (ported) | Brand recognition, marketing | $1.50/mo + port fee |
Ordering DIDs from IPComms
- Log into the portal at portal.ipcomms.net
- Navigate to Phone Numbers > Order New Numbers
- Select your area code or search by city/state
- Browse available numbers and add to cart
- Configure routing - assign to your SIP trunk
- Complete the order - numbers activate instantly
Inbound DID Routing in Asterisk
When a call comes in, Asterisk receives the called number in ${EXTEN}. Use this to route calls to the right destination:
Basic DID Routing
[from-ipcomms]
; Main office number - route to IVR
exten => 2125551000,1,NoOp(Main number)
same => n,Goto(ivr-main,s,1)
; Sales line - route to ring group
exten => 2125551001,1,NoOp(Sales DID)
same => n,Goto(ring-group-sales,s,1)
; Support line - route to queue
exten => 2125551002,1,NoOp(Support DID)
same => n,Queue(support)
; Direct extension for CEO
exten => 2125551003,1,NoOp(CEO direct line)
same => n,Dial(PJSIP/101,30)
same => n,VoiceMail(101@default,u)
; Catch-all for unconfigured DIDs
exten => _X.,1,NoOp(Unknown DID: ${EXTEN})
same => n,Answer()
same => n,Playback(ss-noservice)
same => n,Hangup()Outbound Caller ID Configuration
Set any of your DIDs as the outbound caller ID for different departments or users:
[outbound-ipcomms]
; Set caller ID based on calling extension
exten => _1NXXNXXXXXX,1,NoOp(Outbound from ${CALLERID(num)})
same => n,ExecIf($[${CALLERID(num)}=101]?Set(CALLERID(num)=2125551003))
same => n,ExecIf($[${CALLERID(num)}=102]?Set(CALLERID(num)=2125551001))
same => n,Set(CALLERID(name)=Your Company)
same => n,Dial(PJSIP/${EXTEN}@ipcomms)Common Use Cases for Local DIDs
Multi-Location Business
Get a local number for each office or city. All calls route to your central Asterisk system, but customers see a local number.
Department Direct Lines
Give each department its own DID: sales, support, billing. Route each to the appropriate queue or ring group.
Remote Workers
Assign direct DIDs to remote employees. They register their softphone and receive calls on their personal DID from anywhere.
Marketing Tracking
Use different DIDs in different ad campaigns. Track which number receives calls to measure campaign effectiveness.
Get Local Numbers Today
IPComms offers local numbers from 300+ area codes across the US and Canada. Numbers activate instantly.
Browse Available Numbers View Pricing