Question

Can I use my own CLI/Caller ID for outbound calls?

Applies To

• Voice Calls
• CLI
• Caller ID

Answer

CLI is the Caller Line Identity, also referred to as the Caller ID.

ANI is Automatic Number Identification and is terminology sometimes used when referring to the Caller ID. A caller's telephone number is automatically captured by an ANI service, even if the CLI/Caller ID is withheld, and is used for billing purposes rather than presentation.

When using the Vonage Voice API, Programmable SIP, or SIP trunking, you will need to purchase a virtual number from Vonage and use this as your CLI/Caller ID. Certain country-specific restrictions do not allow some CLIs, and it is recommended to check for a country-specific article first.

If you set the CLI as a non-Vonage API number, or include a + at the beginning, it will be stripped and the call will be sent with the CLI set to Unknown or will change downstream.

CLI for in-country originating calls is regularly tested and is confirmed to be supported for all of our virtual numbers. You can find information on specific countries' numbers' support for international CLI in the Voice Numbers Features Overview. CLI will be usually be supported for inbound calls if the originating or caller's carrier presents the CLI transparently to our network. If the originating carrier hides the CLI or does not support it, it will not be received.