In this article, you’ll learn how to use your external numbers in CloudTalk for outbound calling using Virtual Caller ID.
Caller identification (Caller ID) shows the business or individual who initiates a call.who initiates a call.
Virtual Caller IDs allow you to display a number that you own outside of the CloudTalk platform as the caller ID. This means your customer will see that number displayed when you call them.
You can create a Virtual Caller ID using your existing numbers if you want to use them for outbound calls in CloudTalk without fully porting them.
Note: For legal reasons, you can only use caller IDs of numbers you own. CloudTalk will need to verify that you own the number with your external provider before you can begin using Virtual Caller ID functionality.
When Should You Use Virtual Caller ID?
Virtual Caller ID is useful when you want to display a specific number as your Caller ID that is not one of your CloudTalk numbers.
It is not always possible to buy or port in a number for every country your business calls. Virtual Caller ID allows your contacts to see your preferred number when you call them.
Virtual IDs can also save money. You can allocate multiple Virtual Caller IDs to different outbound destinations at no additional charge.
How Does Virtual Caller ID Affect My Current Phone Plan?
Adding a number as a Virtual Caller ID in your CloudTalk dashboard does not change anything related to that number with your original provider. Your number will remain with your original provider. It will simply also be displayed to your customers during outbound calls made from CloudTalk.
Outbound calls made using a Virtual Caller ID are charged either per minute or according to your calling package.
You keep your original service provider and can continue making outbound calls as usual.
Inbound and returned calls are directed to your original service provider, not to CloudTalk.
If needed, we can also set you up with an additional local CloudTalk number to forward callbacks to CloudTalk.
Which Countries Support Virtual Caller ID?
We can create a Virtual Caller ID and route outbound calls from it in most countries. However, all calls initiated in CloudTalk are subject to local country rules and reachability limitations.
Virtual Caller IDs will not work in certain countries:
Countries without local call delivery
In countries where CloudTalk can deliver international calls but cannot deliver local calls (for example Cambodia, India, Saudi Arabia), the same limitations apply to Virtual Caller IDs.Countries with operator-restricted outbound calls
In countries, where CloudTalk's operators can only deliver outbound calls from their own numbers. Examples: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam.
Unsupported number types
Virtual Caller IDs cannot be used with number types that are not supported for outbound calling on national networks. Examples: Belgian National numbers (+32 78), Australia toll-free numbers, Poland toll-free numbers.
Countries where recipient operators block external traffic
In certain countries, recipient operators do not accept calls from numbers that originate on non-native networks.Czech Republic & Slovakia (mobile numbers)
Virtual Caller IDs of mobile numbers cannot make calls to numbers on the same network.Example: You cannot use a Virtual Caller ID of a T-Mobile number to call another T-Mobile number.
Similar restrictions apply for O2 and Vodafone
These measures were introduced in 2023 as anti-fraud protection against caller ID spoofing, and recipient operators’ firewalls will block such calls.
Croatia (A1 network)
Virtual Caller IDs cannot send calls to A1. Calls will be rejected by A1 firewalls.Poland (local and mobile numbers)
Virtual Caller IDs can only connect local calls within Poland on a best-effort basis. Polish operators may block calls if the traffic does not originate from the number’s official range holder.
Examples of Countries and Number Types That Do Not Support Virtual Caller ID:
Australia (toll-free 1800 or 1300 format)
Bahrain
Belarus (fixed numbers)
Belgium (national numbers +32 78 xxx)
Bulgaria (calls to A1 network may be blocked)
Cambodia
China
Costa Rica
Croatia (calls to A1 network)
Czech Republic (mobile numbers +420 7 or +420 6)
El Salvador (best effort, Caller ID can be hidden)
Guatemala (best effort, Caller ID can be hidden)
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Kuwait
Lithuania
Malaysia
Malta
Oman
Poland
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia (mobile numbers +421 9xxx format)
South Korea
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
How to Request a Virtual Caller ID
Virtual Caller IDs cannot be created directly in the Dashboard.
To request a Virtual Caller ID, please contact our team at [email protected].
In your request, include the following information:
The phone number you would like to use as a Virtual Caller ID
The country of the number
Proof of ownership of the number
As proof of ownership, please provide one of the following:
An invoice from your current provider showing the number
A scan or photo of the SIM card associated with the number
CloudTalk must verify ownership before activating the number as a Virtual Caller ID. Once verified, our team will set up the Virtual Caller ID for you.
Have more questions? Reach out to our Support team. We're always happy to help!