DTMF issues on your toll-free or local numbers?

We recently had a customer ask us about issues with dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) on toll-free numbers and local city phone numbers. This issue can be common in the new world of IP termination. The simple solution for this is to either use TDM-routed toll-free numbers/local numbers or ensure your IP configuration is set up correctly. 

The beauty of our toll-free numbers is that they are still configured using Tier 1 carriers and mainly route across traditional connection methods, meaning that the DTMF flow passes through to the end point. We can also obtain traditional fixed line numbers across most capital cities globally that route using traditional methods. It may cost a little more, but it won’t have a negative impact on your IVR or complex call routing. 

A quick guide to the terminology 

DTMF 

When you press a number on your keypad during an IVR (explained next), a different frequency is transmitted depending on the key you press. The receiving end then picks up this frequency, and a rule is followed depending on the IVR configuration. We could list the frequencies for you, but that would be a bit too techie! 

IVR 

Interactive Voice Response. This is the system that allows humans (you and me) to interact with systems using DTMF (above). You have all used this in the past! If you have ever called a company and heard the message, “Thank you for calling. You are super-duper important to us. Please press 1 for sales, 2 for accounts and 3 for the cleaner!” 

TDM 

Time Division Multiplexing. “Blimey, that sounds complex!”, you might say, but it isn’t really. It’s a technology that has been around since 1870 and a way of sending packets of data over a network in fixed lengths so that it’s sent and received in the correct order. It ensures that a phone call doesn’t sound mumbled and jumbled. TDM is being replaced with IP termination, where calls are broken up and sent either over the public or private internet. 

If you would like any further telecoms acronyms explained or are interested in our TDM toll-free numbers, then please get in touch ASAP. YOLO!