March 2020 Summaries

Acquiring or migrating a short code involves several steps, including engaging with providers, setting up API integrations, and activating the short code for use. The process can take 6 to 8 weeks on average, but may vary depending on whether it's a new acquisition or migration of an existing short code. Bandwidth provides support throughout the entire process and continues to monitor compliance after the campaign goes live.

A recent No Jitter webinar revealed that 66% of organizations test their 911 service, while the remaining third do not. With RAY BAUM's Act implementation deadlines requiring dispatchable location for VoIP 911 calls, testing 911 is crucial to ensure accurate address information for each endpoint. Bandwidth offers a simple and straightforward live 911 connectivity testing process during onboarding, including coordination with public safety answering points (PSAPs). Additionally, the unlimited 933 testing feature allows organizations to confirm endpoint address information without disrupting normal 911 operations. The frequency of testing should be determined by an organization's size and unique needs, aligning with emergency evacuation drills.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift towards remote work globally. Businesses are looking for ways to prepare for the potential impacts and mitigate risks associated with this sudden change. Three key strategies have emerged to build business continuity into communications stacks: 1) building redundancy and resiliency, 2) preparing with cloud-based unified communications and collaboration tools, and 3) ensuring accurate E911 location management for remote employees. These best practices can help ensure effective communication within teams during this evolving situation.

As mandatory work-from-home policies are implemented across the U.S., it is crucial to revisit the implications of supporting 911 services for remote workers and understand the limitations of VoIP and wireless emergency calling. Traditional desk phones may not recognize a change in location when moved from an office to a home, potentially leading to incorrect routing of 911 calls. Updating remote workers' provisioned 911 locations is recommended to ensure effective emergency response. Dynamic 911 location capabilities, such as those found in Microsoft Teams, allow organizations to provide accurate location information for remote workers. In case of emergencies, employees may instinctively use their cell phones, but this can lead to a lack of notification within the enterprise and an absence of specific address details provided to public safety. Establishing formal processes for capturing location data for work-at-home users is essential in light of upcoming deadlines for RAY BAUM's Act and the anticipated growth of remote work.

Airlines can leverage text messaging solutions to better serve their customers by using a combination of short codes, toll-free SMS, and Local A2P texting. Short codes are ideal for sending high-volume messages with limited responses, while toll-free numbers allow for two-way communication and easy escalation to live agents. Hybrid messaging solutions that combine these methods can provide customers with a better experience and more effective engagement with the airline.

This document provides a walkthrough of implementing a sample solution using Bandwidth's Port Out Validation. It includes an example implementation of NodeJS code for the Bandwidth Port Out Validation API, which utilizes the npm package xml2js for conversion between XML and JSON. The provided code is not meant to be a fully implemented port out validation solution but rather a brief example of the general process of how such a solution works. It covers functions that validate against stored data, generate validation failure or success XML, and define routes that receive webhooks.

This document provides a walkthrough of implementing a sample solution using Bandwidth's Port Out Validation. It includes a ValuesController.cs file that receives webhooks from Bandwidth and validates the data against stored values. The code assumes familiarity with C#, .NET Core, and ASP.NET Core. The provided sample is not a fully implemented port out validation solution but serves as an example of the general process involved in such a solution. It includes functions for checking numbers, account IDs, and PINs against stored data, generating validation failure XML with error descriptions, and generating validation success XML. The code also defines routes that receive webhooks and processes the incoming data to determine whether it passes or fails validation.

Bandwidth's Port Out Validation API offers an additional way to validate port out requests on your account, ensuring FCC regulatory compliance and greater visibility into the porting process. The API sends a callback containing details about the port, which you can then use to validate the information and decide whether the port should proceed or not. This functionality is currently available for on-net numbers only. Properly formatted responses are crucial; failure to respond within 30 seconds will result in the port out validation passing and the port out proceeding.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has become the norm, leading to increased reliance on online communication and collaboration tools. This shift has prompted companies to adapt their workflows, such as conducting virtual stand-up meetings and emphasizing the importance of frequent communication to maintain productivity and team connectivity. The article highlights the need for clear communication channels, like isolating specific topics in platforms like Slack, to manage digital noise effectively. Additionally, it encourages creative thinking about how products can be adapted to support social distancing and other pandemic-related challenges, citing examples of major collaboration platforms enhancing their offerings to aid in remote education and contact-free services. The emphasis is on leveraging a comprehensive communications toolkit to remain efficient and connected in these unprecedented times while considering innovative ways to position products in the evolving landscape.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for cloud communications as businesses encourage employees to use conferencing platforms instead of face-to-face meetings or legacy communication systems. Major conferencing platforms are offering premium features for free in an attempt to attract more customers. Bandwidth, a global cloud communications platform, has seen a 2x increase in the number of conferencing minutes being passed through its network in the APAC region and anticipates a similar surge in European traffic. The company is urging businesses with voice at the heart of their operations to discuss capacity requirements due to COVID-19.