E911 and CNAM available in Numbers v2

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Andrea Mocherman

We’re excited to let you know that our Numbers API now includes the ability to configure and manage E911 and CNAM (Caller ID Name). The new features enable communication service providers to streamline the configuration and management of telecom resources from within their platforms, while also reducing errors during provisioning of local and toll-free phone numbers.

Solving the E911 Challenge

Unlike landline phone numbers, which are literally hard-wired to a specific address, VoIP phone numbers are more nomadic in nature. Since VoIP services can be used from virtually any Internet connection anywhere, they are not necessarily tied to a specific location or address. This has created a challenge for 911 operators when it comes to identifying the location from which a 911 call has originated.

Flowroute’s API-based E911 capability allows programmatic validation and addition of highly precise E911 addresses (e.g. 123 Main Street, Building K, 4th floor, Suite 403) to a customer’s account and enables association between these addresses and your Flowroute phone numbers. This ensures that the location data associated with a VoIP phone is correct and can be properly interpreted by the local PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Point).

Making CNAM Management a Snap

In addition, Flowroute is adding programmatic support for CNAM which enables communications service providers to create and assign CNAM records via the API for all local phone numbers with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. By automating the CNAM provisioning process, users receive the highest possible nationwide phone number support without sacrificing the level of accuracy.

The Numbers API enables developers to:

  • Configure and manage E911 addresses
  • Automate the presets for CNAM setup
  • List your account phone numbers
  • List details on a phone number
  • List North American area codes and exchanges served by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) with purchasable phone numbers
  • Purchase a phone number from available Flowroute inventory
  • Update primary and failover voice routes for your phone numbers
  • Create and list inbound routes for your account

Want to learn more? Check out the E911 & CNAM Webcast here.  

Note: Numbers v2 is not backwards compatible with Numbers v1.