Phone numbers

Search, buy and verify the numbers your AI receptionist answers on, including the compliance steps UK numbers require.

Before you start

  • An active plan — numbers are billed per number, per month
  • For UK geographic numbers, a verified address matching the area you are buying in
  • Your business trading name and address as they appear on official records
Buying

Buying a number

Numbers are bought inside the dashboard so SIMCOAI can wire the webhooks for you. Buying elsewhere and pointing it at us is possible but you configure the routing yourself.

  1. SearchOpen Find a number in the dashboard and search by country, area code or number type. Only numbers that can actually be purchased on your account are shown.
  2. Check the preflightSIMCOAI checks capacity, compliance and billing before letting you commit. If anything is missing it tells you what, rather than failing at purchase.
  3. Complete complianceSome number types require a regulatory bundle and a verified address. This is a telecoms requirement, not a SIMCOAI one.
  4. BuyThe number is provisioned and its voice webhook is pointed at SIMCOAI automatically.
  5. Assign a profileGive the number a purpose so it behaves the way that line should. See phone profiles.
Compliance

Bundles and addresses

UK and several other regulators require proof of identity and address before a number can carry calls. SIMCOAI surfaces the state of that process rather than hiding it.

StateWhat it meansWhat to do
ReadyBundle approved and address verifiedBuy normally
Bundle pendingSubmitted, awaiting regulator reviewWait. Review times are outside our control.
Address mismatchThe address does not match the number areaCorrect the address, or choose a number in your actual area
Not requiredThis number type carries no bundle requirementBuy normally
If a purchase is blocked, the reason shown comes from the telecoms regulator or carrier. SIMCOAI cannot override it.
Costs

What a number costs

Each number carries a monthly rental plus per-minute call charges. Both appear on your usage panel. Extra numbers beyond your plan allowance are an add-on — see add-ons.

Release

Releasing a number

Open Your phone numbers in the dashboard. Each assigned number has a Release number button on its card. Confirm the action and type the number exactly as shown. Release is permanent: calls to that number stop reaching SIMCOAI, and you may not be able to get the number back.

If the phone network cannot confirm the release, SIMCOAI keeps the number assigned and shows an error so you can retry. Cancelling a plan releases its numbers when the subscription actually ends. A downgrade keeps the oldest active numbers that fit the new allowance and releases the excess. A first failed payment alone does not release numbers; terminal nonpayment does.
Problems

If buying fails

  • Number purchase troubleshooting covers bundle, address and capacity errors
  • Numbers already assigned to your account cannot be bought twice — manage them in Owned Numbers
Acceptance

Production voice test matrix

A successful hello is not a complete phone test.

ScenarioPass condition
Opening hoursThe call follows the current open or closed path and states the correct next step
InterruptionThe caller can interrupt without hearing overlapping replies or losing their request
Unknown answerThe receptionist does not invent an answer and offers the configured handoff
Human requestThe request reaches the correct route, or records a clear callback when nobody is available
Sensitive topicThe configured boundary is stated once and the conversation is escalated
Poor connectionThe caller receives a usable retry or fallback path rather than silence