PBX Call Forwarding: Stay Connected Anywhere
PBX call forwarding allows your business to redirect incoming telephone calls to another extension, mobile phone or external number. Whether you're working remotely, travelling or simply away from your desk, calls can follow you without requiring customers to dial a different business number.
What Is PBX Call Forwarding?
PBX call forwarding is a telephone system feature that automatically redirects incoming calls from one destination to another according to predefined rules.
For example, a call to your office extension can be forwarded to your mobile when you are unavailable. Depending on your PBX configuration, calls can also be redirected when a line is busy, when nobody answers, or during specified business hours.
In a hosted Cloud PBX environment, these settings can be managed without installing a separate traditional telephone exchange at every location.
Why Use Call Forwarding?
A flexible business telephone system helps your team remain reachable while maintaining a consistent customer contact number.
Reduce Missed Calls
Route calls to an alternative number or extension when you're unable to answer your office telephone.
Work From Anywhere
Stay reachable while working from home, travelling or visiting customers without giving out your personal number as your primary business contact.
Flexible Call Handling
Choose how incoming calls are handled when your extension is busy, unanswered or temporarily unavailable.
Better Customer Experience
Direct callers towards available staff so that fewer enquiries are left unanswered during busy periods.
How Does PBX Call Forwarding Work?
Your Cloud PBX checks the forwarding rules configured for an extension and routes the incoming call accordingly.
Forward All Calls
Incoming calls are immediately redirected to your chosen number or extension, without ringing your original device.
Forward When Busy
When your extension is busy, the PBX can direct the next incoming call to an alternative destination.
Forward When Unanswered
If nobody answers within the configured ringing period, the call can be forwarded automatically.
Forward Based on Business Hours
When combined with PBX time conditions, calls can follow different routes during office hours, weekends or holidays.
Call Forwarding in a Real Business
A Manager Working From Home
A customer calls the company's main telephone number and selects the manager's extension. The manager is working remotely and has configured unanswered calls to forward to their mobile phone.
If the office extension is not answered within the configured time, the PBX routes the call to the manager's mobile number. The customer can continue using the company's normal business number.
Technical note: Forwarding to an external mobile number may create an outbound call leg, which is normally chargeable. Call handling, caller ID presentation and recording behaviour depend on the PBX configuration and provider.
Is Call Forwarding Included?
Call forwarding is included as a feature of our hosted Cloud PBX offering. External forwarded calls may incur normal outbound call charges.
Final costs depend on your chosen services, calling destinations and requirements. Confirm VAT and applicable charges in your quotation.
- Call forwarding and related PBX routing features.
- Forwarding to other extensions where configured.
- External forwarded calls billed at applicable rates.
- Business-hours routing available through time conditions.
- Dedicated PBX deployment options available on enquiry.
PBX Call Forwarding FAQs
Answers to common questions about forwarding business telephone calls.
Can I forward my office calls to my mobile phone?
Yes. A compatible Cloud PBX can forward incoming calls from your office extension to a configured mobile number. External call charges may apply.
Can I forward calls only when I don't answer?
Yes. Call forwarding on no answer allows the PBX to ring your original extension first, then redirect the call after a configured period.
Can I automatically forward calls after hours?
Yes. You can combine forwarding with PBX time conditions to handle calls differently during office hours, weekends and holidays.
Does call forwarding cost extra?
Call forwarding is included in the hosted PBX feature set. Calls forwarded to external numbers can generate outbound usage charges according to your applicable tariff.
Can calls be forwarded internationally?
International forwarding may be possible where the destination is supported and international calling is enabled on the account. Availability, restrictions and destination-specific rates should be confirmed first.
Do I need a separate telephone line for forwarding?
Not necessarily. In a hosted PBX setup, calls can be routed through the existing PBX service. However, external destinations require appropriate outbound calling capacity and account permissions.
Will customers see my personal mobile number?
Customers can continue dialling your normal business number. Whether your mobile number or business caller ID is presented on outbound calls depends on the configuration and carrier capabilities.