What is a virtual number, and how do I set one up in MyOperator?

What is a virtual number, and how do I set one up in MyOperator?

A virtual number is a cloud-hosted phone number that isn’t tied to a physical line or SIM. Incoming calls first land on MyOperator’s cloud PBX, then route to any destination you set—mobile, landline, softphone, SIP trunk, or ring group.

Use this guide if you want to:

  1. understand virtual numbers,
  2. Buy one inside MyOperator, or
  3. Compare with toll-free or direct landline numbers.

1) How a virtual number works

  • Cloud-based: No copper line/SIM; lives in MyOperator’s cloud.
  • Smart forwarding: Route to one or many destinations (users, departments, IVR).
  • Multi-device ready: Mobile, desk phone, softphone, or SIP.
  • Analytics-ready: Recordings, logs, performance reports.

Concept flow: Caller → Virtual Number → Cloud Router → Available Agent(s)

2) Key features & business benefits

Feature

Why it matters

Call forwarding & ring rules

Connect callers to the right person fast (sequential, round-robin, ring-all).

IVR + routing

Offer menus, language, time-based routing, and holiday logic.

Analytics & recording

Track SLAs, missed calls, and agent performance.

Scalability

Add/remove users or destinations in clicks—keep the same published number.

Professional image

One national/local number for your brand across locations.

3) Prerequisites

  • Admin role in MyOperator.
  • Sufficient balance/credits (if you pick a paid/vanity number).
  • Regulatory info (e.g., business docs, emergency address) where required.

4) Step-by-step: Buy & assign a virtual number

  1. Log in to your MyOperator panel.
  2. Go to Numbers → Buy New.
  3. Choose Virtual Number → select country and area/series.
  4. Assign the number to a destination: extension, ring group, department, or IVR.
  5. (Optional) Toggle Use as Outbound Caller ID (if your plan allows).
  6. Save — the system auto-tests routing and shows a green success banner.

5) Pricing & availability (IMPORTANT)

  • Pricing depends on the number, type and availability.
    • Free (standard) numbers: Often available at no acquisition cost (plan/rental rules may apply per your agreement).
    • Vanity/premium numbers: Priced based on pattern/series, region, and scarcity. These can range from a few thousand INR up to several lakhs, depending on how desirable the sequence is.
  • Availability matters: Costs are applied only if a desired series/pattern is available in your selected region/operator pool.
  • What to expect: When you search in Numbers → Buy New, the panel will show:
    • Which series/categories are currently available, and
    • The applicable acquisition cost (if any) before you confirm.

6) When a virtual number is not ideal

  • You need callers to never pay for the call → consider toll-free.
  • You require a government-issued emergency line.
  • Your office has no reliable internet and must rely on PSTN only.

Need help choosing a number?

Tell us your preferred pattern/series and state/circle. We’ll share available options and the exact cost (if vanity), or a free standard alternative when available.