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Outbound rules dictate how 3CX routes outgoing calls, i.e. via different SIP trunks or gateways, based on which user or group is calling, the dialled number or the number length. You need to create at least one outbound rule to start calling with 3CX. Sometimes you will find 3CX creates an outbound route automatically if it is the only route your 3CX installation has.

To create an outbound call rule in the Management Console and route calls via this trunk:

  1. Go to “Outbound Rules”, select “Add,” and enter a name for the new rule.
  2. Specify any matching criteria to trigger this outbound rule in the “Apply this rule to these calls” section:
  • Calls to numbers starting with prefix – Apply this rule to all calls starting with the number you specify, e.g. entering the prefix “9” indicates that outbound calls to numbers starting with “9” trigger this rule.
  • Calls from extension(s) – define the extension(s) or extension range calling to trigger this rule. Specify extensions separated by commas and ranges using “-”, e.g. 100,102-120.
  • Calls to numbers with a length of – trigger this rule when calling numbers with the specified digit length, e.g. 8 digits, to differentiate calls between local and national numbers, without requiring a prefix.
  • Calls from extension group – select the calling extension group(s) that trigger this rule.
  1. “Make outbound calls on” – select from the defined gateway(s) or provider(s) to set up to five alternate routes for the call. If the first route is not available or busy, 3CX automatically tries the next route, until the call can be made or the default “Block Calls” route is reached.
  2. To transform the number that matches the outbound rule, before the call is routed to the selected gateway or provider, use these for each route:
  • Strip Digits – remove one or more digits from the called number, e.g. strip one digit to remove the prefix “9”, before the number is dialled.
  • Prepend – add one or more digits at the beginning of the number, if this is required by the provider or gateway.
  • Optionally specify an “Outbound Caller ID”.
  1. Click “OK” to add the outbound rule.