[asterisk-biz] UK DID provisioning with an API

[Peter Beckman]

On Tue, 18 Nov 2008, Nitzan Kon wrote:

> * It's been a while since I had to use it - but when contacting
> support via chat.. slow and not really helpful.

  I email or pick up the phone, and that usually gets me a response quickly.
  Chat is a mixed bag, but that's why they provide options!

> * Orders need to be approved whenever you purchase anything. You
> can get around this by pre-purchasing credit and buying your
> numbers with that credit later on, but I would expect a vendor
> to automatically approve payments/orders without a waiting period
> for old/verified customers.

  Yes, the orders are manually approved, but the number works immediately.
  This gives both parties time to make sure the purchase is what they want,
  and that it works.  I think this part is a pro.

> * No choice of number. All you get is choice of area code.

  True, but there aren't many providers that offer the full number before
  you buy.  Vitelity, les.net and DIDx are the only three that come to mind.
  I don't think Voxbone, DIDww, VTwhite or many other providers allow for
  selection of actual number.

> * Pricing is too high. It's probably good for RETAIL customers,
> but pricing is too high if you're trying to resell those DIDs.

  Pricing is higher for US/Canada, true, but all numbers are 2 channels and
  unlimited minutes inbound.  They are cheaper than most for that type of
  service.

> We get 99% of our international numbers from DIDx because their
> prices are more reasonable. I'd love to work with DIDWW too, but
> they're pricing themselves out of the wholesale game.

  I disagree -- they serve a LOT of places DIDx does not, and they service
  those DIDs themselves, so I don't have to deal with 13 different providers
  via DIDx.  Sure, they are more expensive, but I think they provide a
  valuable service in a space where you have three choices:
     * DIDx: mish-mash of providers, inconsistent DID quality (though they
       provide a rating), better pricing
     * Voxbone: Good quality and coverage, higher pricing, higher minimum spend
     * DIDww: Middle of the road pricing, good coverage and quality, no
       minimums

For my business, DIDww works best for covering International DIDs.

Beckman
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Peter Beckman                                                  Internet Guy
beckman at angryox.com                                 http://www.angryox.com/
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