If you have searched for a business phone number in Bangladesh, you have probably seen numbers that start with 096, on delivery vans, hospital signboards, and the “call us” line of e-commerce pages. Those are IP phone numbers. This guide explains what they are, who is allowed to issue them, what you need to apply, and what you will actually pay. If you only want the price and the sign-up steps, go straight to the corporate IP number page.
What is an IP phone number?
An IP phone number (also called an IPTSP number or IP telephony number) is a Bangladeshi phone number that works over the internet instead of a mobile SIM or a copper landline. It looks like a normal number, 096XX-XXXXXX, and anyone on Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk, or BTCL can dial it like any other number.
The difference is on your side. Instead of a SIM in one handset, the number lives on a server. You answer it from:
- an app like Zoiper on your mobile or laptop,
- a desk IP phone (Yealink, Grandstream, Fanvil), or
- an ordinary phone connected through a small adapter.
Because the number is not tied to one device, several people can share it. That is what makes it a business number rather than a personal one: a sales team of eight can all make and receive calls on 09649-111303, and the customer always sees the same company number.
Who issues IP numbers in Bangladesh?
Only companies with an IPTSP (IP Telephony Service Provider) license from BTRC can issue 096 numbers. There are a handful of licensed operators; IPCallBD works with Ranks ITT, Icon Infotech, Royal Green Online, and Sarkar Communication.
This matters for two reasons:
- Legality. A number from a licensed operator is fully legal for business use. Unlicensed “VoIP” offers are not, and BTRC does act against them.
- Reliability. Licensed operators interconnect properly with the mobile networks and BTCL, so calls connect quickly and caller ID shows correctly.
IPCallBD is not itself the license holder. We are the service layer on top: we reserve your number with the operator, run the Cloud PBX that turns one number into many extensions, configure your phones, and answer the support line.
What documents do you need?
Operators are required to verify who owns each number. For a business number you will typically be asked for:
- National ID of the account holder (both sides, clear copy)
- A passport-size photo of the account holder
- Trade license of the business (for a company account)
- A working email address and mobile number for verification
Send these to us on WhatsApp and we handle the submission. If a copy is blurry the operator will reject it, so photograph documents in good light, flat on a table.
How much does an IP phone number cost?
There are three separate costs people tend to mix up:
| Cost | What it is | With IPCallBD |
|---|---|---|
| Number fee | Getting the 096 number itself | Free with any Cloud PBX plan |
| Monthly plan | The PBX that runs your extensions, IVR, and portal | ৳500 – ৳1,000 per month |
| Call charges | Outgoing calls to mobile and landline numbers | 40 paisa + 15% VAT per minute, billed per second |
Incoming calls are free. Calls between your own extensions are free. Calls from one IP number to another IP number are free. Your recharge balance does not expire.
A one-time setup fee applies on the Basic (৳1,000) and Pro (৳500) plans; it is waived on Enterprise. See the full breakdown on the pricing page or run the numbers in the monthly bill calculator.
Can you choose your own number?
Usually yes, within what is available. Each operator has a pool of numbers; some are “standard” and some are “premium” (repeating digits, easy-to-remember patterns). Tell us if you want a memorable number for advertising and we will check what is free with each operator. Premium numbers may carry an extra one-time charge set by the operator.
IP number vs mobile SIM vs landline
| Mobile SIM | BTCL landline | IP number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared by a team | No: one SIM, one phone | Only with a PABX box | Yes: extensions on one number |
| Works outside one location | Yes | No | Yes, anywhere with internet |
| IVR menu (“press 1 for sales”) | No | Needs hardware | Included |
| Call recording | No | Needs hardware | Add-on from ৳99/month |
| Leaves with the employee | Yes | No | No: reassign the extension |
| Billing | Per minute | Per minute | Per second |
The last row is the one that surprises people. A 1 minute 5 second call on a mobile package is billed as 2 minutes. On IPCallBD it is billed as 65 seconds.
How to get your IP number: the process
- Message us on WhatsApp with roughly how many people need an extension. We will suggest Basic (5), Pro (10), or Enterprise (20).
- Send your documents (NID, photo, trade license). We submit them to the operator you prefer.
- Pick a number from the available list the operator sends back.
- We configure the PBX: extensions, IVR greeting, call routing, while the number activates.
- Install Zoiper or plug in IP phones. We send the SIP settings and stay on the line until the first call goes through.
Most businesses are making calls within 24 hours of sending documents.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a number with no PBX. A bare IP number is just one more line. The value is in the PBX: extensions, IVR, recording, reports. That is why IPCallBD bundles the number free with the plan rather than selling it separately.
- Using a personal NID for a company number. If that person leaves, the number is tied to them. Use the trade license and a director’s NID.
- Picking the cheapest per-minute rate without checking the pulse. 35 paisa per minute with a 60-second pulse costs more than 40 paisa per second-billed on most real call patterns.
- Assuming you need a short code. 16xxx short codes are a separate BTRC allocation with a much heavier process and recurring fees. For almost every SME, an IP number does the job, see our guide to hotline numbers for business in Bangladesh.
FAQ
Is an IP phone number legal in Bangladesh?
Yes, as long as it is issued by a BTRC-licensed IPTSP operator. IPCallBD only provisions numbers from licensed operators.
Can I keep my IP number if I change provider?
The number belongs to the operator’s allocation and is registered to you. Porting rules differ by operator; ask before you sign up if this matters to you.
Do I need a trade license to get an IP number?
For a business account, yes. Sole proprietors can apply with their own NID, but we recommend registering under the business so the number stays with the company.
How long does it take to get an IP number?
Typically 24 hours from the time your documents are accepted. Premium number requests can take longer if the operator needs to check availability.
Does the number work outside Dhaka?
Yes. It works anywhere in Bangladesh with an internet connection: Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, or a home office in Mymensingh.
Related Articles
- How to make IP calls in Bangladesh: step-by-step
- Cloud PBX vs PABX: which is right for your business?
- What does IP calling actually cost per month?
Written by the IPCallBD team
We have run cloud PBX and IP calling infrastructure for businesses in Bangladesh since 2011. Questions about anything in this article? Ask us on WhatsApp.