This guide demonstrates how to configure a maximum call cost on a SIP trunk in the customer portal. This feature is useful for any type of calling with variable per-minute charges, such as to international destinations. Setting a maximum call cost on a SIP trunk can help protect you and your customers from unauthorized traffic or unexpected charges (which can result in a negative balance and trigger a call freeze on the entire account).
You can view your maximum call cost on all SIP trunks at any time by logging into the customer portal and navigating the following menus: hover over "SIP Trunking" and click the "International Calling" option. This will load a page that displays all SIP trunks on the account along with the associated Term Rate Plans (International Dialing Restrictions) and Maximum Call Costs configured on each SIP trunk.
The default value assigned for a Maximum Call Cost is $0.30, which is high enough to reach many international destinations. You can use the link "View International Rates" at the bottom of the same page in the customer portal to get specific prices for destinations you plan to call. Once you determine those costs, you can plan the appropriate change to your Maximum Call Cost.
Request a Maximum Call Cost Change
You will then submit a ticket to the Support team at support@sip.us, detailing the SIP trunk number and new Maximum Call Cost value you require. Our team will verify the legitimacy of the request and then respond once the change is made. You can then confirm the change by viewing the updated settings in the customer portal.
Keep in mind that you will also need to configure international calling to allow the SIP trunk to dial internationally in the first place. If you need to configure international calling, view this article on Setting Up Outbound Calling for more information on the different Term Rate Plan options. Just like changing the Maximum Call Cost, you will need to request the change via a support ticket. You can request both a change to the Term Rate Plan and Maximum Call Cost in the same ticket.
NOTE: Any calls placed to destinations with per-minute charges deduct from the prepaid balance on the account. SIP.US recommends Configuring Auto Replenish and Low Balance Notifications before placing calls to destinations with per-minute charges.
Supplemental Information
- The Maximum Call Cost value always needs to EXCEED the cost of the destination, at least by $0.01.
- Calls will automatically fail if the SIP trunk is not configured to reach an international destination due to the Maximum Call Cost or Term Rate Plan configuration.
- You can submit a support request at any time if you wish to lower your Maximum Call Cost or restrict your Term Rate Plan, such as once you are done with placing international calls that were required. This is a good security practice to prevent fraud exploitation if the SIP trunk were to ever be compromised, particularly if you are calling blacklisted destinations.
- Hawaii and Alaska incur per-minute charges. Please see the International Rates and Term Rate Plan options linked in this article for configuring your SIP trunk to place those calls.
- Some phone systems have their own blacklist security settings that will need to be whitelisted for international traffic to pass.