# Pay-per-minute channels

Pay-per-minute channels, also called metered channels, provide usage-based inbound call Capacity. Metered channels are
assigned through Capacity groups and are billed only when inbound calls use metered Capacity.

Use pay-per-minute channels when traffic is variable, when fixed monthly Capacity is not required, or when metered
Capacity should provide overflow after higher-priority resources are already in use. You can assign up to 1,000 metered
channels per group.

## How pay-per-minute channels work

Pay-per-minute or metered channels define the maximum number of simultaneous inbound calls that can use pay-per-minute
Capacity in a Capacity group. They do not reserve flat-rate channels from a pool and do not have setup or monthly fees.

When a DID number is assigned to a Capacity group with metered channels, inbound calls can use those channels after
included channels, dedicated channels, and shared channels are already in use or unavailable.

Because metered channels are evaluated after higher-priority Capacity resources, they are commonly used as overflow
Capacity. They can also be used without shared channels when a DID number should rely on usage-based Capacity instead of
a fixed monthly channel allocation.

For priority behavior, see [Capacity priority](capacity-reference.html#capacity-priority-values) and [Hybrid capacity
combinations](capacity-reference.html#capacity-hybrid-combinations).

## Capacity pools

Metered channel pricing and availability depend on the selected Capacity pool. The pool determines the coverage and
per-minute metered Capacity cost used when calls are delivered through metered channels.

For Capacity pool values and field meanings, see [Capacity pools](capacity-reference.html#capacity-pool-values) and
[Capacity pool fields](capacity-reference.html#capacity-pool-fields).

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](mailto:sales%40didww.com) for assistance.

## Capacity groups

Metered channels are assigned to Capacity groups. DID numbers use metered channels by being assigned to the group that
contains those channels.

A Capacity group can include metered channels only, or it can combine shared flat-rate channels with metered channels
for a hybrid Capacity setup. In a hybrid group, shared channels are used before metered channels, and metered channels
provide overflow after the higher-priority Capacity resources are unavailable.

For group behavior, fields, and limits, see [Capacity groups](capacity-groups.html). To assign or unassign metered
channels, see [Manage metered channels](how-to-guides/manage-metered-channels.html).

## Default metered channels behavior after DID purchase

DID numbers purchased with the Pay-per-minute Capacity option are automatically added to a Capacity group with metered
channels assigned by default. This allows inbound calls to use metered Capacity without requiring a separate flat-rate
channel purchase.

The default group and channel amount can be changed later by editing the Capacity group or by moving DID numbers to a
different Capacity group.

The default metered channel amount after DID purchase is 100 channels. For capacity mode values and pool values, see
[DID capacity modes](capacity-reference.html#capacity-mode-values) and [Capacity
pools](capacity-reference.html#capacity-pool-values).

## When to use pay-per-minute capacity

Use pay-per-minute Capacity when inbound call volume is variable, when fixed monthly Capacity is not needed, or when
metered channels should act as backup Capacity for unexpected spikes.

Metered channels are also useful as overflow Capacity in a hybrid setup because they are used after higher-priority
channel types are unavailable.

Pay-per-minute Capacity can be useful for newly purchased DID numbers that need immediate inbound call handling, DID
numbers with occasional call spikes, or groups of DID numbers where fixed flat-rate allocation would be inefficient.

## Related resources

- [Manage metered channels](how-to-guides/manage-metered-channels.html) - Assign or unassign metered channels in Capacity groups.
- [How capacity works](how-capacity-works.html) - Understand Capacity priority and hybrid capacity call flow.
- [View capacity usage](view-capacity-usage.html) - Review usage and troubleshoot capacity issues.

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