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Excerpt
This page contains instructions on how to add a new cost to the channel.

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clone the costs already defined for another channel
upload a cost file in in .csv format format
manually add the costs using the interface

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To copy costs that have already been defined for another channel:

Select the the Import costs from another channel channel checkbox.
Use the the Get costs from channel drop drop-down list to select the channel whose costs you want to import. All All channels available are are displayed.
Click OK Click OK to save settings and clone costs.

Note

Importing costs from another channel must be done carefully because this operation can affect the way in which VoipNow routes calls.

Let us assume that you have manually defined the cost for area code 02. This means that calls to numbers 0219999999 and 0229999999 are charged the same. If you import costs from a channel that has defined the area code 021, calls to number 0219999999 will be charged differently from calls to number 0229999999. Review imported costs to make sure the channel will charge calls the way you intended.

The The Clone Channel Costs function function will only replicate the costs for area codes that are not already defined for the current channel (e.g. Let us assume that you have manually defined the cost for the area code code 011. You will import the costs from a channel that has defined area codes codes 01 and and 011. VoipNow will replicate the cost for area code code 01, but will not overwrite the cost for area code code 011).

Upload cost file

Note
Uploading a cost file is a risky operation because it replaces all the costs currently associated with the channel. You should disable the channel before performing this operation.

To upload a cost file:

Select the Agree Agree to replace ALL channel costs checkbox checkbox.
Choose File to upload and use the Browse the Browse button to locate it. If the cost file you are trying to upload is not valid, VoipNow will display an error message informing you about the first line that contains errors.
Set the the Field separator. This This is the character used to separate the values from the the .csv file file. This field is not required. If you leave the text box empty, VoipNow assumes that the field separator is ',' (comma).
Click Click OK to to save settings, upload the file, and replace the current channel costs.

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This is an example of a valid cost file. Each line of the .csv file must be written in the following format:

<Area code>, <Cost>, <Charge interval>, <Description>, <Network>, <Setup cost>, <Maximum charge>

The following record is valid:

0033, 0.02, 60, Description, MobiCom, 8, 4999

This cost rule signifies that for calls prefixed with the 0033 code, the extension is charged 0.02 <currency> every 60 seconds, whereas the one time setup cost is 8 <currency> and the maximum amount allowed for this area code is 4,999 <currency>. The <currency> is the one defined in the Unified Communications Communications → Settings → Zero Priority → Charging Preferences page. This cost rule applies to the MobiCom network (the network code must be provided). The Description field can be used for associating a note to the cost rule.

Other examples of valid records:

043, 0.02, 60, Cheap land calls, LandTel, 0, 150
0040, 0.20, 30, Romania, RomTelCo, 0.99, 9999999

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Cost <cost> <currency> / <charging_interval> seconds for call to area code <area_code>. Setup cost <amount> <currency>. Maximum charge per call <max_amount>. Network code <network_code>. Description <text>

Where:

<cost>: The cost charged by the channel per <charging_interval> for all calls to the <area_code>.
<currency>: The system default currency set up in the Unified Communications Communications → Settings → Settings → Zero Priority → Charging.
<charging_interval>: The time interval for which the <cost> will be charged. Default: 60 seconds.
<area_code>: The prefix of the destination phone number. This prefix indicates the Callee's geographical location. All All outgoing calls routed through the channel to this area code will be charged with the specified amount.
<amount>: A setup cost that will be charged for all calls routed through this channel to the specified <area_code>. This This amount will be added to the total cost of the call. The The setup cost can be 0. See See the Setup Cost example below to understand how this it works.
<max_amount>: The maximum amount that can be charged for a call, no matter its length. After reaching this sum, the call will not be disconnected. It will continue to be routed through this channel. The user will be charged just the maximum amount specified here. The The maximum amount can be 0. In such conditions, the call will be practically free of charge, no matter its duration. If If you do not fill in the <max_amount> box, the normal cost applies to the entire length of the call. See the Maximum Amount example below to understand how this it works
<network_code>: Specify the code required to identify the network the destination phone number belongs to. For more details about number portability, you may check the Add and Remove Outgoing Routing Rules Group section.
<text>: Associate a 128-character limited description to the area code cost.

You can use the the +/- buttons buttons to add or remove several call costs at the same time.

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If the calls to the area code are charged with 0.5 USD per 60 seconds and the setup cost is 2 USD, then the total cost of a 180 seconds call is:
180 seconds * 0.5 USD/60 seconds + 2 USD = 3.5 USD

The setup cost can be used at determining the best cost for routing a call. Let us assume that we have two channels with the following call costs:

Channel #1
Charge 0.1 USD/60 seconds with a setup cost of 1 USD

Channel #2
Charge 0.9 USD/60 seconds with a setup cost of 0.2 USD

Taking into consideration the Average call duration parameter that was defined in the Unified Communications Communications → Settings → Zero Priority → Charging tab, VoipNow can compute the cost for each channel and determine the most cost effective alternative to route the call using the following formula: min((setup_cost/average_call*charging_interval + call_cost)/charging_interval*average_call)

For this example, if the average_call duration is 180 seconds, the results are:

Channel #1
(1 USD/180 s * 60 s + 0.1 USD)/60 s * 180 s = (0.33 + 0.1)*3 = 1.3 USD

Channel #2
(0.9 USD/180 s * 60 s + 0.2 USD)/60 s * 180 s = (0.3 + 0.2) * 3 = 1.5 USD

In conclusion, the cost of an average length call is smaller for Channel #1, even if the setup fee is bigger. VoipNow will route the calls around the average length and longer through the channel with the best cost.

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