Use this guide to select, apply for, and manage voice numbers that suit your business requirements.
Number types and selection
Voice Messaging Service provides multiple number types to meet different business needs. Before choosing a number, understand the characteristics and differences of each type to select the best option for your business.
Number type | Supported direction | Application method | Billing model | Use cases |
400 number | Inbound only | Apply for a number in the console.
| Package fee + usage fee No fixed monthly fee, but a minimum monthly charge applies. | Enterprise service hotlines: Serves as a unified, nationwide brand number for receiving customer calls. |
regular number (landline & mobile number) | Supports inbound and outbound | Apply for a number in the console.
| The monthly fee is 35 CNY/month. | Two-way calling and outbound notifications: Ideal for scenarios requiring two-way voice communication or outbound calls. |
public mode | Outbound only | No number application required Ready to use immediately after service activation. | Pay-as-you-go, with no monthly fee for numbers. | Voice notifications and verification codes: A cost-effective option for sending one-way voice content. |
Decision recommendations:
To establish an enterprise service hotline for inbound calls only, apply for a 400 number.
If you only need to send voice notifications or verification codes, use the public mode. It is the most convenient option, as you do not need to purchase or manage numbers.
If you already have a regular number, see "Manage purchased numbers" for maintenance instructions.
Prerequisites
You have completed enterprise qualification management and passed the review.
You have added a script and it has been approved.
You have applied for a real number.
Inbound audio playback compliance
When you open the real number management page, a compliance notice for inbound audio playback appears at the top. This notice reminds you to configure the inbound audio playback feature. It explains the carrier's compliance requirements (ensure smooth inbound call routing and configure inbound audio playback), the two configuration methods (use the IVR tool in the console or contact customer support for assistance), and the consequences of not configuring it (your number may be restricted by the carrier, and default inbound call and playback rules will be enforced starting June 1, 2026).
The first time you visit the real number management page, a "Configure IVR Audio Playback" dialog box appears. You must select the I acknowledge and agree checkbox to close it. The system records your confirmation, and the dialog box does not appear on subsequent visits.
For more information about the configuration, see Configure inbound audio playback.
Apply for a 400 number (inbound only)
400 numbers are available in different package tiers, ranging from 120 to 5,000 CNY, with a usage rate of 0.11 CNY/minute. There is no monthly fee, but a minimum monthly charge of 120 CNY applies. Numbers activated during a month are billed for the entire month's fee, so we recommend applying for new numbers at the beginning of the month.
Log on to the Voice Messaging Service console. In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
Click Purchase Number and fill out the application as prompted:
Enterprise Name: Select your enterprise name from the list of approved 400 qualifications.
Provider: Select a number provider from the list.
Number: Select a 400 number from the list of available numbers. You can click Change to refresh the list.
After selecting a number, an inbound audio playback compliance confirmation panel appears. Please read the following information carefully:
Carrier requirements: To prevent telecommunication fraud and regulate number usage, carriers require that the number you apply for has a smooth inbound call path. After activation, you must configure inbound audio playback. Failure to do so may result in your number being restricted by the carrier and becoming unusable.
Default rules: To ensure your service operates correctly, the platform will, with your authorization, apply default inbound call answering and audio playback rules. This may incur fees (see China Mainland Voice Messaging Service Pricing or contact your account manager). Proceeding with number activation constitutes agreement to these default rules.
Self-service configuration: If you want to customize the playback content, the platform provides a self-service IVR audio playback feature. You can configure it in the "real number management" section after the number is activated. For details, see Configure inbound audio playback.
Important: After applying, you must submit the required documents for review. If the documents are not submitted within 15 days, the number will be released.
After reading, select the I acknowledge and agree checkbox.
After you agree, click Apply Now.
After you apply, you must submit specific documents for review. The number will be released if the documents are not submitted within 15 days.
Hover over Reason in the Running Status column to view the reason for the timeout release.
Click Deregister in the Actions column to cancel the number.
Manage purchased numbers
This section describes how to manage numbers you already own, including regular numbers and 400 numbers. On the real number management page, on the Landline & mobile number or 400 numbers tab, find the number you want to manage and perform actions in the Actions column.
In the number list on the real number management page, the Call Type column displays call type information based on the value of the ResCallTypeDesc field in the returned data.
Bind an instance
Service instances can only be bound to real numbers in the landline & mobile number category.
Binding a number to a service instance associates it with a specific set of configurations—such as IVR flows, recording settings, and agent assignments—to handle voice calls. A service instance is a set of functional configurations in Voice Messaging Service.
In the Actions column for the target number, click Bind Instance.
In the dialog box that appears, select the service instance to bind from the drop-down list.
Click OK to complete the binding.
Cancel a number
This action permanently cancels the number and is irreversible. After you cancel the number, it cannot be recovered, and all related services will be terminated.
Before proceeding, ensure the number is not associated with any business services to avoid disruptions.
In the Actions column for the target number, click Deregister.
In the confirmation dialog box, carefully read the risk warnings.
A regular number can only be canceled after it has been active for at least three months.
The fixed fee (such as the monthly fee) for the month in which you cancel the number will still be charged and is non-refundable. Ensure that your account has a sufficient balance and no outstanding payments.
After you confirm, click OK. The number will enter the cancellation process.