> Source: https://docs.virtuo.in/vio/telephony/numbers
> Buy a number from Vio with your wallet or import one you own on Twilio, then assign the agent that answers it and enable outbound dialing.

# Phone numbers

**The Numbers view is where you provision numbers and decide which agent answers them. Import a number you own on Twilio, assign an agent, and — with one switch — enable outbound so Vio can dial from that number too.** If you'd rather keep your own carrier and rates, connect a [**SIP trunk (BYOC)**](/vio/telephony/sip-trunks) instead.

## Three ways to get a number

| | Best when |
|---|---|
| **Buy from Vio** | You want a working line in a minute, with nothing to configure. |
| **Import a Twilio number** | You already own numbers on Twilio and want to keep them there. |
| **[Bring your own carrier](/vio/telephony/sip-trunks)** | You have existing DIDs and negotiated per-minute rates you want to keep. |

## Buy a number from Vio

**Numbers → Buy Numbers** lists what is in stock. Pick one, confirm, and it is paid for from your [wallet](/vio/pricing) balance.

<Callout type="info">
**A successful purchase is already live.** The number is wired to your workspace as part of buying it, so when the confirmation returns it is genuinely receiving calls — there is no second activation step, and nothing to wait for.
</Callout>

These are **Virtuo DIDs** — Indian landline numbers from our own pool. Assign an agent exactly as you would any other number.

### What you are charged

The number's price is **debited from your wallet once, at purchase**.

<Callout type="warning">
**This is a one-time charge, not a monthly rental.** The price is shown per month by convention, but Vio bills it once when you buy. We do not currently charge a recurring rental for a number, and the confirmation step says so.
</Callout>

No GST is added at this step, and no separate invoice is issued: the wallet was already taxed when you recharged, so taxing again would charge you twice on the same rupee. The purchase appears in your **Billing** transaction history.

### If activation fails

If the number is paid for but cannot be wired, **you are refunded automatically and in full**, and the number returns to the pool. You will see both the debit and the matching refund in your transaction history. A number that shows as bought but does not ring is exactly the outcome this is built to prevent.

## Import a Twilio number

If you already own (or buy) a number on **Twilio**, importing it is the fastest way to get an agent on a real phone line. Once imported:

- **Inbound works immediately** — a caller who dials the number reaches your assigned agent.
- **Outbound is one click away** — enabling it wires the number through Twilio's Elastic SIP Trunk so Vio can place calls from it (for campaigns and callbacks).

<Steps>

### Open the Numbers view

Select **Numbers** in the sidebar. You'll see every number already connected to your workspace.

### Import from Twilio

Choose **Import Twilio** and provide the number you own on Twilio. It appears in your list once connected.

### Assign the agent that answers

On the number, pick the agent that should answer inbound calls. Leave it unassigned and your workspace's **default agent** answers instead (see below).

### Enable outbound (optional)

Flip the number's **outbound** switch if you want Vio to place calls from it — for an [**outbound campaign**](/vio/telephony/outbound-campaigns) or an agent-scheduled [**callback**](/vio/telephony/callbacks). Inbound doesn't require this; outbound does.

</Steps>

## "Assigned agent" vs "default agent"

These two are easy to confuse, so here's the exact rule:

| Term | What it is | When it answers |
|---|---|---|
| **Assigned agent** | The specific agent you attached to this number. | Whenever this number rings. Overrides the default. |
| **Default agent** | Your workspace-wide fallback agent. | Only when a number has **no** assigned agent. |

Assign a specific agent when a line needs its own persona or script — for example, a sales line and a support line pointing at different agents. Leave it unassigned when any number should behave the same, and let the default handle it. Configure the persona in [**Persona & prompt**](/vio/agents/persona).

<Callout type="info">
**Every unassigned number still answers** — the default agent guarantees a live line. Set a sensible default before you go live so a number you forgot to configure is never silent.
</Callout>

## Enabling outbound per number

Outbound is decided **per number**, not per workspace. A number that only ever receives calls (say, a support hotline) can stay inbound-only; a number you dial campaigns from needs outbound switched on. This keeps your dialing surface deliberate — you can't accidentally place calls from a line that's meant to only listen.

## Bringing your own carrier instead

Importing Twilio is the quick path. If you want to keep your existing numbers and carrier per-minute rates, connect your carrier or PBX (for example **FreePBX**) over a SIP trunk and **attach your DIDs** to it. Full walkthrough: [**SIP trunks (BYOC)**](/vio/telephony/sip-trunks).

## Frequently asked

**Q. Do I need to buy a new number to use Vio?**
No. Import a number you already own on Twilio, or attach your existing DIDs to a [**SIP trunk**](/vio/telephony/sip-trunks). Buying from **Buy Numbers** is the quickest path if you want a fresh line and nothing to configure.

**Q. Is a number I buy from Vio charged monthly?**
No. It is a **one-time charge** debited from your wallet at purchase. See [Buy a number from Vio](#buy-a-number-from-vio).

**Q. Can two numbers point at the same agent?**
Yes. Assign the same agent to as many numbers as you like — for example a local and a toll-free number that both reach your support agent. Each call is logged separately in [**Call logs**](/vio/call-logs).

**Q. If I enable outbound on a number, does it change how inbound works?**
No. Inbound and outbound are independent. Enabling outbound simply lets Vio place calls from the number; incoming calls keep reaching the assigned (or default) agent exactly as before.

**Q. What's the difference between importing Twilio and BYOC?**
Twilio import is fastest and needs no carrier setup on your side; you use Twilio's rates. **BYOC** points your own carrier or PBX at Vio, so you keep your numbers and negotiated per-minute rates. See [**SIP trunks (BYOC)**](/vio/telephony/sip-trunks).

## Next step

With a number assigned, place a test call from [**Test your agent**](/vio/getting-started/test-your-agent), then watch it appear in [**Call logs**](/vio/call-logs).