---
title: "Calling From Toll-free Numbers"
slug: "calling-from-toll-free-numbers"
description: "Using Toll-Free numbers as the 'From' number for outgoing calls can lead to blocked or failed calls due to billing and routing complexities. To improve call success, include a valid billing telephone number in the 'p-charge-info' header, as this aids in accurate billing and facilitates more reliable routing."
tags: ["Calling", "outbound", "outbound caller ID", "Toll-Free"]
updated: 2025-10-21T22:17:28Z
published: 2025-10-21T22:17:28Z
canonical: "support.bcmone.com/calling-from-toll-free-numbers"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.bcmone.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Calling From Toll-free Numbers

#### Toll-free numbers are mainly used for inbound calls

Making a call from a Toll-Free number to another Toll-Free number is generally not recommended. This is because the organization responsible for the Toll-Free number, known as the **RespOrg**, specifies which carrier should handle the call, usually based on geographic codes like LATA or NPANXX.

#### Failed calls from Toll-free numbers

If only a Toll-Free number is involved, some RespOrgs might not have a set path for the call, causing it to fail with a message like "This destination is not available from your calling area." The same issue can occur with international calls to Toll-Free numbers, often because RespOrgs want to avoid the higher costs associated with routing calls from areas not covered by valid LATA or NPANXX codes.

#### **General recommendations**

- Call from a valid US Automatic Number Identification (ANI). This is in line with Flowroute's [Outbound ANI Requirements](/flowroute-support/docs/outbound-ani-requirements).
- Include a valid **P-Charge-Info** header in the initial SIP invite; aka **Billing Telephone Number** (BTN), this header provides the BTN if it differs from the **From** number.
- Utilize the **P-Asserted-Identity** (PAI) header in the initial SIP invite. This is a less reliable option compared to **P-Charge-Info**, as some carriers may remove the **PAI** header before routing the call.

#### More details

Using Toll-Free numbers as the “From” number for outgoing calls presents a unique set of challenges, primarily because the receiving end may block such calls. This is often due to the complexities of billing and routing associated with Toll-Free numbers.

To successfully complete the call, when dialing other Toll-Free numbers, it's crucial to include a valid billing telephone number in the 'p-charge-info' header of the initial SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) invite. This header serves as a mechanism for the terminating carrier to identify the billing details, therefore providing a more defined routing process.

Billing for calls made from Toll-Free numbers is particularly complicated. The rate charged to the terminating end is determined based on the 'From' number. Calls that originate from numbers without a defined location, such as other Toll-Free numbers, will likely result in a failed call. This is because Flowroute, which manages the Toll-Free number, may not have a billing identity and will not be able to create a billable receipt for the call.

To mitigate the challenges associated with missing billing rates and routing complexities, some Toll-Free numbers are configured to disallow incoming calls from numbers without a defined location. When this happens, callers may encounter an error.

When getting this error, Flowroute's system will not provide a voice error via operator recording. The call will drop the line. This is a protective measure taken by the RespOrg or the terminating carrier to avoid incurring higher costs and to simplify the routing process.

Therefore, including a valid billing telephone number in the **p-charge-info** header is not just a best practice but often a requirement for successful call completion. It allows the terminating carrier to accurately bill the end user and facilitates more reliable and cost-effective routing. By adhering to this practice, users can **significantly improve** the success rate of calls made from Toll-Free numbers, ensuring more effective and efficient communication.

## Related

- [Outbound ANI (Caller ID) Requirements](/outbound-ani-requirements.md)