# Configuring Outbound Rule ### Creating Outbound Rules An **outbound rule** determines which SIP trunk is used to place outbound calls. The PBX evaluates outbound rules based on criteria such as: * The extension or user placing the call * The dialed number or its prefix * The length of the dialed number * The extension group to which the caller belongs Outbound rules allow you to control call routing for scenarios such as least-cost routing, carrier failover, and policy-based call control. #### Procedure: Add an outbound rule 1. Sign in to the **PortSIP PBX Web Portal**. 2. Go to **Call Manager > Outbound Rules**, then click **Add**. 3. Enter a **Name** for the outbound rule. 4. Configure the rule priority: * **Priority**\ Set the priority value for the rule. * A **lower number** indicates a **higher priority**. * If a call matches multiple outbound rules, the rule with the **highest priority** (lowest number) is applied. * If multiple rules share the same priority, **any one of those rules may be selected**. 5. Select the **Routing Strategy**: * **Prioritized**\ The PBX attempts to place the call using the trunks in the configured order.\ If the call fails on the first trunk, the PBX automatically tries the next trunk. * **Randomly**\ The PBX selects a trunk at random from the configured list.\ If the call fails, the PBX randomly selects another trunk. *** #### Specify outbound rule conditions In the **Apply this rule to the following calls** section, define when this outbound rule applies. You can use one or more of the following conditions: * **Calls to numbers starting with prefix**\ Apply the rule to calls that begin with specific prefixes.\ Example: `00;123;88` * **Calls from extension(s)**\ Apply the rule to a specific extension or a range of extensions.\ Example: `100–120` * **Calls to numbers with certain digits**\ Apply the rule based on the total number of digits in the dialed number.\ Example: `8;10;12` (matches 8-, 10-, or 12-digit numbers) * **Calls from extension group(s)**\ Apply the rule to specific extension groups instead of individual extensions. *** #### Route outbound calls In the **Make outbound calls on** section, select **up to six trunks** that the PBX can use for this rule. * **Prioritized strategy**\ Calls are sent to trunks in the configured order. If a call fails, the PBX tries the next trunk in the list. * **Random strategy**\ Calls are sent to a randomly selected trunk. If the call fails, another trunk is selected at random. *** #### Transform numbers (optional) Before routing the call to the selected trunk, you can modify the dialed number: * **Strip digits**\ Removes a specified number of digits from the beginning of the called number.\ Example: Strip `00` from `002345`, resulting in `2345`. * **Prepend digits**\ Adds digits to the beginning of the called number.\ Example: Prepend `+44` to `002345`, resulting in `+442345`. *** #### Outbound Caller ID * **Outbound Caller ID**\ Specify the caller ID presented to the called party for outbound calls routed through this rule. *** ### Office Hours for Outbound Rules PortSIP PBX allows the **Tenant Admin** to control when outbound rules are active by applying **office hours** and **holidays**. If an outbound call is placed **outside the configured office hours** or **during a holiday**, the PBX blocks the outbound rule and prevents the call from being routed. #### Office Hours Use the **Office Hours** tab within the outbound rule to define when outbound calls are permitted. * The PBX evaluates the **current time** against the configured office hours to determine whether the outbound rule can be applied. * If the current time falls **outside** the specified office hours, the outbound call will **fail**, even if all other rule conditions are met. You can choose one of the following options: * **Use default Global Office Hours**\ The outbound rule follows the **global office hours** configured by the Tenant Admin. * **Use specific Office Hours**\ The outbound rule uses **custom office hours** defined specifically for this rule, overriding the global schedule. #### Holidays You can also apply **holiday restrictions** to outbound rules by selecting one or more holidays from the tenant’s **Global Holiday List**. * During selected holidays, the outbound rule is **blocked**, and outbound calls are not routed. * Holiday restrictions apply regardless of office-hour settings. #### Allow outbound calls at all times If you do **not** want to block outbound calls at any time: * Do **not** select any holidays, and * Configure office hours to cover **all days and all times**. This ensures the outbound rule remains active continuously. For more information about configuring schedules, see [Office Hours and Holiday Schedule.](https://support.portsip.com/portsip-communications-solution/portsip-pbx-administration-guide/30-office-hours-and-holiday-schedule) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://support.portsip.com/portsip-communications-solution/portsip-pbx-administration-guide/8-call-route-management/configuring-outbound-rule.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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