Zones are used for call authorization and billing. The system traverses all zones one by one stopping at the first zone that best matches the call. The naming of zones is irrelevant for the call determination and is used primarily in reporting and invoices to group numbers based on prefix.
Settings >> System Settings >> Usage Charges
The system follows the bellow hierarchy of the zones:
- On Demand Sessions are used for on-demand billing – e.g. callshops and hotels.
- On-Net Calls – usually these calls are free of charge. If the calling and called numbers match exactly with numbers configured in the system as access numbers the call is rated based on on-net calls tariff.
- Toll Free Calls – if the call matches standard toll free pattern the call is rated based on toll free calls tariff.
- Voice Applications – if the call matches voice applications prefix with exact match the call is rated based on the voice applications tariff. This includes rating of Toll Free calls as well as Voice Applications such as directory assistance, custom CLASS 5 applications etc.
- Zone 1 – the system checks if DNIS matches prefix loaded in Zone 1 and if ANI matches the local prefix for the same record. The local numbers database must be imported based on local rate centers. If the call matches it is rated based on Zone 1 tariff.
- Zone 2 – the system checks if DNIS matches prefix in Zone 2 and ANI matches prefix in Zone 2 and if states and countries for the prefixes match. If match is found the system rates the call based on Zone 2 tariff.
- Zone 3 – the system checks if DNIS matches prefix in Zone 3 and ANI matches prefix in Zone 3 and if countries for the prefixes match but states do not then the call is billed based on Zone 3 tariffs.
- Zone 4 – the system checks if DNIS matches prefix in the Zone 4 tariff. If match is found the call is rated based on Zone 4 tariff.
Please note that for performance reasons we recommend to minimize the assignment of tariffs to zones which are not used in order to optimize call authorization time and system overhead (if call authorization is enabled in the system).