Flat-rate channels#

Flat-rate channels provide inbound call Capacity for a fixed monthly charge per channel. They are purchased from a Capacity pool and can be assigned as dedicated channels for one DID number or as shared channels in a Capacity group.

Use flat-rate channels when inbound call volume is predictable enough to reserve a fixed amount of Capacity in advance.

How flat-rate channels work#

Flat-rate channels increase the number of concurrent inbound calls that DID numbers can handle. After channels are purchased, they remain in the selected Capacity pool until they are assigned, removed, or renewed.

Flat-rate channels can be used in two ways:

  • Dedicated channels are assigned directly to one DID number.

  • Shared channels are assigned to a Capacity group and made available to DID numbers assigned to that group.

Only unassigned flat-rate channels can be removed from the account. If channels are assigned to DID numbers or Capacity groups, they must be unassigned before they can be removed.

Capacity pools#

Flat-rate channels are purchased from a Capacity pool. A Capacity pool defines where the channels can be used, how many channels are currently purchased, how many remain unassigned, and the recurring channel cost for that pool.

Dedicated and shared assignments draw from the same unassigned flat-rate channel amount in the selected pool. For example, assigning channels directly to DID numbers reduces the number of channels available for shared group allocation, and assigning shared channels to Capacity groups reduces the number available for dedicated assignment.

For Capacity pool values and field meanings, see Capacity pools and Capacity pool fields. To purchase flat-rate channels from a pool, see Purchase flat-rate channels.

Note

If the required country is not listed in an available pool, or if you are unsure which pool to select, contact sales@didww.com for assistance.

Dedicated flat-rate channels#

Dedicated flat-rate channels are assigned to one DID number. They are reserved for that DID number and cannot be used by other DID numbers.

Dedicated channels are used after channels included with the DID number, but before shared or metered channels. This makes them useful when one DID number needs predictable Capacity that should remain available regardless of activity on other DID numbers.

Dedicated channels reduce the unassigned flat-rate channel amount in the selected pool. When dedicated channels are unassigned, they return to the pool as unassigned flat-rate channels and can be assigned again or removed.

To manage dedicated channel assignment, see Manage dedicated channels.

Shared flat-rate channels#

Shared flat-rate channels are assigned to a Capacity group. DID numbers assigned to the same Capacity group can use the same shared channels.

Shared channels are useful when several DID numbers need access to additional Capacity, but their call peaks do not usually happen at the same time. Instead of reserving separate dedicated channels for each DID number, the shared channel allocation can be consumed by any DID number in the group while channels are available.

Shared channels are used after included and dedicated channels, but before metered channels. For detailed Capacity group behavior, see Capacity groups.

To manage shared channel assignment, see Manage shared channels.

When to use flat-rate capacity#

Use flat-rate Capacity when fixed monthly billing is preferred and the required channel amount is known in advance.

Dedicated channels fit DID numbers that need reserved Capacity. Shared channels fit groups of DID numbers where usage varies across the group and a shared pool of channels is more efficient than reserving separate Capacity for each number.

Flat-rate Capacity can also be combined with metered Capacity. In a hybrid setup, flat-rate channels handle expected traffic and metered channels provide overflow when higher-priority Capacity resources are already in use.

For priority behavior when flat-rate channels are combined with included or metered channels, see Capacity priority and Hybrid capacity combinations.