DID (Direct Inward Dialing) Number
Short answer: A DID is shorthand for direct inward dialing: a phone number that sends incoming calls straight to a particular line, extension or SIP account rather than through a shared switchboard. In VoIP circles, DID has become the generic name for any real phone number delivered to you via SIP, and every SMS Conecta number operates as one.
DID began as a way for companies to give each desk its own number without paying for a separate physical line per desk. VoIP providers now use the term for essentially any number they supply.
Definition
A DID is a public number the provider maps to a destination on your end. It can be local, mobile or toll-free in type; DID only describes the delivery method, not the category.
How it works
When a caller dials the number, the phone network hands the call off to the provider, which forwards it over SIP to the registered account or trunk. A PBX on the receiving end reads the dialled digits and sends the call to the matching extension, queue or menu.
The path a DID call takes
| Step | What takes place |
|---|---|
| Caller dials | The phone network passes the call along to the provider |
| Provider | Forwards it over SIP to the registered account or trunk |
| PBX | Looks at the dialled number and routes it onward |
| Destination | Lands on an extension, queue, or menu |
How it applies to SMS Conecta
- Real mobile, local and toll-free numbers across 181 countries
- A dedicated SIP username and password for every number
- Unlimited incoming calls and SMS, plus 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes each month
- Call forwarding to any phone, along with a browser-based dialer
- Starting at $1.80 per month on annual billing ($21.60 per year), with no setup fee
Related terms
- SIP trunk
- PBX
- Local number
- E.164
Frequently asked questions
Is a DID the same thing as a virtual number?
The two terms overlap heavily. A DID is a real number delivered online, which is exactly why it's often called a virtual number.
Will a DID accept SMS messages?
That depends on the specific number. Every SMS Conecta number includes unlimited incoming SMS, visible in the dashboard inbox.
Can I point a DID at my own PBX?
Yes. Load the number's SIP credentials into Asterisk, FreePBX, 3CX or any other SIP-compliant PBX.
Can my current number be ported in as a DID?
No. Porting isn't offered; you'd pick a new number instead.