*NEW* Geographic Number Lookup

[Mesmer]

Originally Posted by martin

Hi all,

The problem we are solving has an even bigger potential in the U.K see
www.saynoto0870.com as 0870 numbers in the UK are quite expensive to call.

This new feature is utilising the information stored within the e164.org database, so the community can really help each other by adding new numbers to this repository. See http://www.e164.org/non.php

Thanks.

Saynoto0870 appears to have a more comprehensive data base on these numbers (+44844, +44845, +44870, +44871 & +449XX). It also contains +44800 numbers, that can be dialed for free via eNum lookup, in addition to the +44[12] geographic alternatives.

Would it be possible to liaise with www.saynoto0870.com and keep both databases in synchronization?

[Jorge]

+44 870 383 0232 for Moneybookers does not seem to be in the list. I assume it will connect to the same "0905 848 0011 (calls cost 25p / minute)" advertised for the UK, which does have a record.

Fortunately, I didn't have to call Moneybookers for a problem I was having, but I was glad to have the choice to use their geographical number, thanks to you.

[Mesmer]

I was mistaken about the UK non-geographic database being less comprehensive than the Saynoto0870 one. A "feature" of the dial plan caused this erroneous impression. If London (442) is picked as the nearest geographic location then only about half of these much lower cost alternatives are found. However, if the location is given as 441 all the geographic ones appear to be returned.

Geographic number search is a fantastic Voxalot feature. Unfortunately, in it's present form, there appears to be no way to get it to find the alternative freephone numbers in the database or come up with a known freephone number in instances where there's no geographic number on record. It's still necessary to manually search for equivalents to non-geographic numbers prior to dialing in order to ensure the cheapest routing.

Would it be possible to modify the search algorithm and add another check box: "give preference to any UK (or Oz??) non-geographic freephone alternative number"?

[twen]

Originally Posted by martin

This weekend we are releasing our new Geographic number lookup feature. The basic idea is for VoXaLot to find the closest geographic number for non-geographic numbers e.g. 13/1300 in Australia and 0870 in the UK:

e.g. Dialling 13 PIZZA VoXaLot finds the geographic number for your closest store.

Hello,

This is a gret feature. I wished this wold be also available in France (and other countries also).

0800 are toll free numbers
08yx numbers are more expensive, except for 0870

0870 are reserved for non geographical VoIP numbers with a nationwide 'local' cost.

Could this feature be available in all enum.arpa available countries like for example austria (officially opened in july 2006). France will be available on 3.3.arpa this first semester of 2007.

Olivier

[martin]

Hello Olivier,

The Geo number feature is available in all countries. It requires that the community add numbers to the e164.org root.

www.e164.org/non.php

[twen]

Originally Posted by martin

The Geo number feature is available in all countries. It requires that the community add numbers to the e164.org root.

Oh, ok, so I can't help much yet. I don't have these numbers and their "geographical" number.
Thanks however !

EDIT: e164.org onl provides non geographical number for the UK and australia... So not all countries yet. I hope soon

[oblong]

Originally Posted by martin

This weekend we are releasing our new Geographic number lookup feature. The basic idea is for VoXaLot to find the closest geographic number for non-geographic numbers e.g. 13/1300 in Australia and 0870 in the UK:

When I use the non-Geographic search at e164.org (for example, 131888), it returns three numbers for my PSTN number's location. How does VoXaLot decide which to return?

[martin]

Originally Posted by oblong

When I use the non-Geographic search at e164.org (for example, 131888), it returns three numbers for my PSTN number's location. How does VoXaLot decide which to return?

There is a field on the dial plan entry page called:

Geographic Number (Optional)

Voxalot will choose the closest location relative to the number entered in this field. Make sure you enter the number in e164 format i.e.

61294811111 (country-code area-code number)

[oblong]

Originally Posted by martin

There is a field on the dial plan entry page called:

Geographic Number (Optional)

Voxalot will choose the closest location relative to the number entered in this field. Make sure you enter the number in e164 format i.e.

61294811111 (country-code area-code number)

Yep, I follow that. When I put my PSTN number in the "Geographic Number (Optional)" field (6173851xxxx), and test for 131888 (Domino's pizza), the result is 0738510433 (the Arana Hills store). But if I put in the ""Geographic Number (Optional)" field the number of a friend, 6173889xxxx, it returns the same number. It should return 0733840033 for the Strathpine store.

When I do the same test in the e164.org "Non-Geographical Search", my number returns three results: +61738510433, +61733840033 and +61294507666. Using my friend's number, the same three numbers are returned.

So, is it simply a limitation of the non-Geo process? Should e164 return more than one number? Does VoXaLot use the same process? If so, how does it pick from the three? Does it pick just the first? Or is there some problem somewhere, or something I've overlooked?

Thanks.

[martin]

Originally Posted by oblong

Yep, I follow that. When I put my PSTN number in the "Geographic Number (Optional)" field (6173851xxxx), and test for 131888 (Domino's pizza), the result is 0738510433 (the Arana Hills store). But if I put in the ""Geographic Number (Optional)" field the number of a friend, 6173889xxxx, it returns the same number. It should return 0733840033 for the Strathpine store.

When I do the same test in the e164.org "Non-Geographical Search", my number returns three results: +61738510433, +61733840033 and +61294507666. Using my friend's number, the same three numbers are returned.

So, is it simply a limitation of the non-Geo process? Should e164 return more than one number? Does VoXaLot use the same process? If so, how does it pick from the three? Does it pick just the first? Or is there some problem somewhere, or something I've overlooked?

Thanks.

It does not pick the first number. It actually analyses the digits right <-- left comparing them against the optional geo number digits. When the remaining digits all match the number is "found".

Not an exact science but the closest thing we have got.