# 18 E164 Number Processing E.164 is an [international standard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_standard) ([ITU-T](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU-T) Recommendation), titled *The international public telecommunication numbering plan*, that defines a [numbering plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_numbering_plan) for the worldwide [public switched telephone network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_switched_telephone_network) (PSTN) and some other data [networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_network). E.164 defines a general format for international [telephone numbers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_number). Plan-conforming telephone numbers are limited to only digits and to a maximum of fifteen digits.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.164#cite_note-:0-1) The specification divides the digit string into a country code of one to three digits, and the subscriber telephone number of a maximum of twelve digits. In PortSIP PBX, E164 processing converts user-dialed numbers (including those with a leading +) into a standardized format that can be interpreted by your outbound rules and provider. Using E164 processing is optional, but it can help solve the issue of handling numbers dialed with a leading +. It converts these numbers into a format that can be interpreted by the rules based on the call type (local, national, or international). *** ### E.164 Settings The **E.164 Settings** control how PortSIP PBX normalizes and transforms dialed phone numbers—especially numbers entered in international (E.164) format—before outbound routing rules are applied. #### Accessing E.164 Settings 1. Sign in to the PortSIP PBX Web Portal as a **Tenant Admin**. 2. Navigate to **Blacklist and Codes > Codes and E164 > E164**. 3. The E.164 configuration page appears (as shown in the screenshot below).
*** ### Configuration Options #### International Code Defines the international dialing prefix used when placing calls to other countries **without using the “+” symbol**. * Example (United States): * International Code: `011` * Dialed number: `+44123456789` * Converted number: `01144123456789` This allows users to dial international numbers using E.164 format while remaining compatible with carriers that require a numeric international prefix. *** #### Process E.164 Numbers Controls whether the PBX processes numbers that begin with a leading **“+”**. * **Enabled**:\ Numbers dialed in E.164 format (e.g., `+44123456789`) are normalized according to the E.164 rules. * **Disabled**:\ The PBX does **not** modify the dialed number, even if it starts with `+`. > **Recommendation:**\ > Enable this option in most deployments to ensure consistent number normalization. *** #### Remove Special Characters **Remove the following characters from processed numbers:**\ `(`, `)`, and spaces * When enabled, the PBX removes these characters from dialed numbers. * Example: * Dialed number: `+1 (813) 456 78910` * Converted number: `+181345678910` This ensures compatibility with SIP trunks and outbound routing rules. *** #### Remove Country Code for Same Country When enabled, the PBX removes the country code if the call is made **within the same country**. * Example (United States): * Dialed number: `+12345678910` * Converted number: `2345678910` This is useful when your carrier expects national-format numbers for domestic calls. *** #### Select Country Select the country where your PBX tenant is located. * This setting allows the PBX to correctly identify: * Your country code * Domestic vs. international calls **Example:**\ Select **United States (US)** for all examples in this section. *** #### Area Code Enter your local area code. **Remove if Same Area Code** When enabled, the PBX removes the area code for local calls if it matches the configured area code. * Example: * Area Code: `813` * Dialed number: `+181345678910` * Converted number: `45678910` This is useful in regions where local dialing does not require an area code. *** #### National Code Adds a national dialing prefix to the beginning of the number during processing. * Example: * National Code: `8` * Dialed number: `+12345678910` * Converted number: `82345678910` This is typically required in countries where domestic calls must include a national prefix. *** #### Add Prefix Adds a custom prefix to the processed number. * Common use cases: * Selecting specific outbound rules * Carrier-specific routing requirements > **Important:**\ > E.164 rules are processed **before outbound routing rules**. * Example: * Prefix: `2` * Dialed number: `+12345678910` * Converted number: `22345678910` *** ### Non-E.164 Calls A **Non-E.164 call** is a call dialed **without a leading “+”**. #### International Calls (Non-E.164 Format) If the dialed number: * Does **not** begin with `+`, and * Begins with the configured **International Code** then the call is treated as an **international call**. **Call Processing Flow** 1. The PBX identifies the call as international based on the **International Code**. 2. The PBX checks the destination country code against: * **Blacklist** * **Codes > Codes and E164 > Allowed Country Code** 3. The PBX verifies the caller’s **role and permissions**: * If the caller does **not** have permission to make international calls, the call is rejected. **Example** * International Code: `00` * Dialed number: `004412345678` * Extracted country code: `44` (United Kingdom) The PBX will: * Verify whether country code `44` is allowed * Check whether the caller is permitted to place international calls If either check fails, the call is blocked. *** #### Domestic Calls (Non-E.164 Format) If the dialed number: * Does **not** begin with `+`, and * Does **not** begin with the International Code then the call is treated as a **domestic call**. The PBX checks: * The caller’s role and permissions for domestic calling If the caller is not authorized to place domestic calls, the call is rejected. *** ### E.164 Calls An **E.164 call** is any call where the dialed number begins with a leading **“+”**.\ These calls are always treated as **international-format numbers**, but how they are processed depends on whether **Process E.164 Numbers** is enabled. *** ### When **Process E.164 Numbers** Is Disabled If **Process E.164 Numbers** is disabled, the PBX does **not** normalize or rewrite the dialed number. #### Call Processing Behavior 1. The call is identified as an **international call**. 2. The PBX checks the destination country code against: * **Blacklist** * **Codes > Codes and E164 > Allowed Country Code** 3. The PBX verifies the caller’s **role and permissions**: * If the caller is not permitted to make international calls, the call is rejected. #### Example * Dialed number: `+4412345678` * Country code extracted: `44` The PBX checks whether country code **44** is allowed and whether the caller has international calling permissions.\ If either check fails, the call is blocked. *** ### When **Process E.164 Numbers** Is Enabled When enabled, the PBX **removes the leading “+”** and applies E.164 normalization rules before outbound routing. After removing the `+`, the PBX evaluates the number using the following logic. *** #### 1. Dialed Number Starts with the **Selected Country Code** If the dialed number begins with the configured **Select Country** code, the call is treated as a **national (domestic) call**. **Processing Steps** 1. Remove the leading `+`. 2. Remove the country code. 3. If **Remove if same country** is enabled, the country code is discarded. 4. If **Remove Area Code** is enabled, the area code is also removed. 5. Generate the new dialed number using the rule: ``` Prefix + National Code + Remaining Number ``` 6. Check the caller’s **domestic calling permissions**. * If the caller is not permitted to make domestic calls, the call is rejected. **Example** Configuration: * Select Country: `44` * Area Code: `31` * Remove if same country: **Enabled** * Remove Area Code: **Enabled** * National Code: `11` * Add Prefix: `22` Dialed number: ``` +4431867762 ``` Processing result: * Remove `+` → `4431867762` * Remove country code `44` → `31867762` * Remove area code `31` → `867762` * Add National Code `11` → `11867762` * Add Prefix `22` → `2211867762` **Final dialed number:** `2211867762`
*** #### 2. Dialed Number Does NOT Start with the Selected Country Code If the E.164 number does **not** begin with the configured country code, the PBX treats it as an **international destination**. **Processing Steps** 1. Remove the leading `+`. 2. Generate the new dialed number using the rule: ``` Prefix + International Code + Dialed Number ``` 3. Determine call type: * If **Add Prefix** is empty → **International call** * If **Add Prefix** is configured → **National call** 4. For international calls: * Check **Allowed Country Code** * Check caller’s **international calling permissions** If any check fails, the call is rejected. **Example** * International Code: `00` * Add Prefix: *(empty)* * Dialed number: `+3312345678` Processing result: * Converted number: `003312345678` * Country code checked: `33` The PBX verifies: * Country code `33` is allowed * Caller has international calling permissions If either condition fails, the call is blocked. *** ### Summary: E.164 Call Processing Logic | Scenario | Call Type | Permission Check | | ------------------------------- | ------------- | ---------------- | | `+` dialed, processing disabled | International | International | | `+` dialed, same country | Domestic | Domestic | | `+` dialed, different country | International | International | | Prefix added | National | Domestic |