DID Number Overview
DID (Direct Inward Dialing) refers to local phone numbers assigned to businesses that allow external callers to dial directly to specific extensions or agents within the organization without going through a switchboard. For globally expanding enterprises, DID numbers provide these key benefits:
- Local presence: Using local numbers in target countries increases customer willingness to answer and callback
- Lower barrier: Customers dialing local numbers avoid international long-distance charges
- Higher answer rates: Local caller ID significantly increases answer rates (studies show 30-50% improvement; source: International Telecommunication Union, "Measuring the Information Society Report" and Bandwidth.com, "Caller ID Trust Report 2025")
- Compliance requirements: Some countries require outbound calls to display local numbers
North America
United States / Canada
Regulator: FCC (Federal Communications Commission) / CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission)
Number administration: NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration)
Number types: Local numbers, Toll-Free (800/888/877/866/855/844/833), National numbers
KYC requirements:
- Business license or registration certificate
- Proof of business address (should correspond to the number's area; some providers accept virtual addresses)
- Applicant's identification document
- Toll-Free numbers require RespOrg (Responsible Organization) registration
Activation time: Local numbers 1-2 business days, Toll-Free 3-5 business days
Special requirements: STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication (anti-robocall framework). Since 2024, all voice service providers are required to implement it.
Europe
United Kingdom
Regulator: Ofcom (Office of Communications)
KYC requirements:
- UK company registration certificate or proof of overseas company operations in the UK
- UK address proof (Geographic numbers must correspond to an address)
- 03 numbers (national unified rate) have no strict address requirements
Activation time: 3-7 business days (Geographic numbers require address verification)
Germany
Regulator: BNetzA (Federal Network Agency)
KYC requirements:
- Business registration certificate (Handelsregisterauszug)
- German address proof (for Geographic numbers)
- Tax registration number
Activation time: 5-10 business days
France
Regulator: ARCEP (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications, Postal and Print Media Distribution)
KYC requirements:
- Kbis extract (French company registration excerpt) or overseas company registration certificate
- French address proof
- SIREN/SIRET number
Activation time: 5-10 business days
Note: France has strict regulations on number usage. 09 numbers (VoIP numbers) are relatively easy to obtain; Geographic numbers require strict address verification.
Southeast Asia
Singapore
Regulator: IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority)
KYC requirements:
- ACRA registration certificate (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority)
- Singapore office address
- Designated responsible person's identification document
Activation time: 3-5 business days
Note: Singapore is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to obtain DID numbers. Regulations are clear and the process is efficient.
Thailand
Regulator: NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission)
KYC requirements:
- Thai company registration certificate or DBD (Department of Business Development) registration documents
- Thai address proof
- VAT registration certificate
Activation time: 7-15 business days
Vietnam
Regulator: MIC (Ministry of Information and Communications)
KYC requirements:
- Vietnamese Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) or Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
- Vietnamese office address
- Telecommunications business license (in some cases)
Activation time: 10-20 business days
Note: Vietnam's telecom regulation is relatively strict. Overseas companies face difficulty obtaining local numbers. We recommend applying through a service provider with local carrier relationships.
Middle East
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Regulator: TDRA (Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, formerly TRA)
KYC requirements:
- UAE Trade License
- UAE office address (Ejari lease contract)
- Manager's passport and UAE ID
Activation time: 10-20 business days
Note: The UAE has only two carriers (Etisalat and du). Number resources are tightly controlled and costs are higher. Free Zone companies have a simpler application process.
Saudi Arabia
Regulator: CITC (Communications and Information Technology Commission)
KYC requirements:
- Saudi Commercial Registration (CR)
- Saudi address proof
- MISA investment license (for foreign companies)
Activation time: 15-30 business days
East Asia / Oceania
Hong Kong
Regulator: OFCA (Office of the Communications Authority)
KYC requirements: Certificate of Incorporation (CI), Business Registration (BR), address proof
Activation time: 1-3 business days
Advantage: Hong Kong's DID numbers are the easiest to obtain. Regulations are business-friendly, making it the preferred communications hub for companies expanding from China.
Australia
Regulator: ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
KYC requirements: ABN (Australian Business Number), company registration certificate, Australian address
Activation time: 3-7 business days
Note: 1300/1800 numbers (inbound numbers) have a simpler application process than Geographic numbers.
Common Pitfalls
- Underestimating address requirements: Many businesses overlook the requirement for local addresses for Geographic numbers, leading to application rejections. We recommend prioritizing National numbers or non-geographic numbers (e.g., 03/09).
- Insufficient lead time: Some countries (Vietnam, Saudi Arabia) can take weeks for review. Plan ahead.
- Choosing the wrong number type: Mobile and Landline numbers have different use cases and compliance requirements. Confirm before selecting.
- Ignoring emergency call requirements: Some countries require DID numbers to support emergency calling (e.g., E911 in the US).
- Number portability restrictions: Some countries do not allow cross-carrier number porting, or require additional approvals.
KYC Preparation Checklist
To accelerate DID number applications across countries, we recommend preparing the following documents in advance:
| Document | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration certificate | Proof of legal business identity | May need translation + notarization (some countries) |
| Business license / trade license | Proof of business qualifications | Some countries require local licenses |
| Office address proof | Geographic number address verification | Lease agreement or utility bill |
| Applicant identification document | Responsible person identity verification | Passport / national ID |
| Tax registration number | Business tax information | VAT/GST/tax ID |
| Power of attorney | Authorize service provider to apply on your behalf | Must be signed in local language |
Cainiao Voice DID Services: Cainiao Voice provides DID numbers in 200+ countries, is familiar with each country's compliance requirements, and can assist with KYC document preparation to accelerate the review process. Apply through Cainiao Voice's unified platform — no need to work with individual carriers in each country.
References:
- ITU-T E.164 — International Public Telecommunication Numbering Plan
- FCC — STIR/SHAKEN Caller ID Authentication Framework
- Ofcom (UK) — General Conditions of Entitlement: Number Conservation
- BNetzA (Germany) — Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG) Number Regulation
- ACMA (Australia) — Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2021
- Bandwidth.com — "Caller ID Trust Report", 2025
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