Knowledgebase

​A Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN) is a special phone number that lets people from different countries call a business for free. It's like a global version of a toll-free number. Instead of having separate toll-free numbers for each country, a business can have one UIFN that works in many countries.

What Is a UIFN?

A UIFN is an international toll-free number starting with the code +800, followed by 8 digits. For example: +800 1234 5678 (in many countries dialed as: 00800 1234 5678). When someone calls this number from a participating country, they don't pay for the call, the business does. This makes it easier for customers to reach the business without worrying about call charges.

Who Uses UIFNs?

A UIFN (Universal International Freephone Number) is a special type of international toll-free number.

Unlike standard toll-free numbers that only work in one country, a UIFN allows you to use the same number across multiple countries, offering a seamless and unified way for clients to reach you from wherever they are.

This makes UIFNs especially useful for:

• Global customer service or support desks

• Companies with international clients

• Multinational marketing campaigns

• International businesses that want a single contact point

With a UIFN, these businesses can provide one easy-to-remember number for customers worldwide.

How Does It Work?

1. Registration: We register the UIFN number you want (if available still) with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and this number gets reserved for you in all the UIFN participating countries.

2. Activation: You order the number for every country you want to start with and can add more at a later stage (all will be your number). The solution must always be activated in at least two countries and within 180 days.

3. Dialing: Customers dial their country's international access code (like 00), then 800, followed by the 8-digit number.

4. Call Routing: The call is directed through our (Free and included) Hosted IPPBX, with extensive business functionality, and you can connect your devices and or telephone solution to us.

What’s the advantage of a UIFN?

With a UIFN:

• Single Number: You use just one number (e.g. 00800 123 456 78)

• Customer Convenience: Customers can call for free, encouraging more contact from any country where you’ve activated it.
  
• Brand Consistency: Using the same number worldwide strengthens brand recognition and professional image.

• Easy of use: You avoid the complexity and cost of managing multiple country-specific numbers

• Simplified Marketing: Advertising is easier with one global number

Example use case: A European company activates the UIFN in 15 countries, now customers in all 15 can reach the same number at no cost to them.

UIFN solution vs. Local Toll-Free Numbers

Things to Consider

• Country Participation: Not all countries support UIFNs. Currently, around 65 countries are part of the program.

• Mobile Access: In some countries, UIFNs might not be reachable from mobile phones or public payphones.

• Costs: Setting up and maintaining a UIFN can be more expensive than local toll-free numbers.

• Dialing Codes: Customers need to know the correct international access code for their country to dial the UIFN.

Inbound Calling, What’s included?

Each UIFN comes with 10 inbound tracks by default, this means up to 10 people can call you at the same time.

You can expand this based on your needs with:

• ✅ Additional inbound tracks in bundles of 10, 50, or 100

• Perfect for marketing or high-volume service lines

This is shown by the black and blue arrows on the left side of the diagram.

Outbound Calling, What’s included?

Your UIFN also includes 10 outbound tracks as standard (see the black arrow and “10” at the top).
You can add more outbound tracks to handle more simultaneous outbound calls:

• ✅ Scalable in bundles of 10, 50, or 100 as needed

• Great for international support or callback operations

Represented by the orange arrows in the top part of the illustration.

Integrated with the Voyced Hosted IPPBX

Your UIFN is fully integrated with the Voyced Hosted IPPBX, so you can manage all features in one place:

• Voicemail-to-email

• Call routing and queues

• Time-based rules

• IVR (Auto-Attendant)

• Conferencing and forwarding options

No extra setup needed, everything is ready when your number is activated.

Device Compatibility

You can connect your UIFN to:

• IP phones

• Softphones on mobile or desktop

• Traditional phones via VoIP ATA

• Your own PBX or IPPBX

• Video and phone conferencing tools

All traffic is securely routed through the IPPBX, ensuring high-quality international service.

Summary: What’s included with a UIFN?

A UIFN is a valuable tool for businesses wanting to provide easy, free access to customers across multiple countries. While there are some limitations and costs involved, the benefits of having a single, recognizable number for international customers can outweigh these challenges.

✅ Ready to order your UIFN Toll-Free / FreePhone DID?

Offer your customers a single, toll-free number they can call from multiple countries.
Order your UIFN from Voyced now:

Order Now

Need help planning international coverage?
We’re happy to help you select the best setup.

Last updated: 17/04/2025

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Given the fast evolution of the telecom sector, Voyced does not offer any guarantee about the accuracy and completeness of the information offered. 
We explicitly do not give anyone permission to use this information in any other way than to inform themselves about what (legal) requirements there may be and they need to comply with when registering Services and/or DIDs with Voyced.