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The Ultimate Guide to
Webex Calling

Webex Calling is the cloud-based phone system offered by Cisco. After buying the Webex brand in 2007, the Webex name has become synonymous with the meetings, collaboration, and now calling offerings in the Cisco portfolio.

Webex Calling, specifically, is a SaaS deployment model PBX solution that can be overlaid onto any internet connection that allows SIP traffic. 

There’s no need for traditional hardware, maintenance, or on-site support, like in the days of on-premises PBXs. As such, lots of Cisco customers opt to move from legacy Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM), otherwise known as Cisco Call Manager.

If you’re an existing Webex customer and are already benefiting from its features, Webex Calling can easily be added to your toolkit for an all-in-one experience. 

If you’re not an existing Webex customer, it’s easy to get going and you can even connect to your existing on-premises equipment if needed.

< Back to menuWhat is Webex Calling?

Webex Calling is a cloud calling platform that enables users to make and receive phone calls without the need for a physical phone system.

Operated by telecommunications firm, Cisco, Webex Calling allows you to make calls from handsets, mobiles, conference phones, and even meeting room displays.

This is what a typical Webex Calling interface looks like…

Dialpad-1
There are several key components to highlight:
  • Dialpad: for making calls to numbers outside your saved contacts
  • Call history: collection of latest made and received calls; can be viewed as All or Missed
  • Call settings: personalization elements for inbound and outbound calls
  • Search box: to find internal contacts and spaces (working areas for collaboration)
  • Connect to a device: like Webex meeting boards
  • Status: to inform colleagues of your availability
  • Calendar: to book, manage, or join meetings
  • Directory: to search stored contacts and internal colleagues

Note: when you subscribe to Webex Calling, you don’t automatically get access to all Webex features. You do, however, get access to 40-minute meetings, screen sharing, and chat capabilities, among others. More detail in the features and pricing sections coming up.

< Back to menuHistory of Webex Calling

It may prove important to know that Cisco has molded two previously standalone calling platforms together to create Webex Calling.

In 2018, Cisco acquired cloud calling platform, BroadSoft. This deal saw them inherit the largest user base of cloud communications (VoIP) seats worldwide.

However, BroadSoft lacked the premium meeting and collaboration features that Cisco had been working on in different guises through WebEx (the E was capitalized in the early days), Cisco Webex Teams, and now Webex by Cisco. 

These were all different product names and interfaces that provided access to a suite of features like virtual meetings, chat, and one-to-one calling. 

Here’s what Cisco Webex Teams used to look like…

History of Webex Calling


Within each of these collaboration platforms, you could underpin the solution with a version of what we know as Webex Calling today. Customers could choose from on-premises, cloud, or a hybrid mix of both.

Today, however, Webex Calling is the only phone system sold and will soon become the only Cisco phone system supported.

New call-to-action

< Back to menuWebex Calling features

Basic calling features available with Webex Calling include:
  • A business phone number
  • Internal calling (call any Webex user or internal extension)
  • External calling (via PSTN breakout)
  • Unlimited in-country minutes
  • Per minute international calling 
  • Auto attendant
  • Call waiting
  • Hold and transfer
  • Call forwarding
  • Conference calls
  • Visual voicemail
  • Advanced noise cancellation
You also get the following meeting features included as standard:
  • 40-minute interactive meetings
  • Whiteboard
  • Screen sharing
  • Voice optimization
  • Secure lobby
  • Meeting recording
  • Assign co host to meeting
  • End to end encryption
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Breakout rooms
VirtualBackgrounds_-1
You also get the following collaboration features included as standard:
  • One-to-one messaging
  • Team messaging
  • File sharing
  • Presence status
  • Send audio clips
  • Send asynchronous video messages
As standard, Webex Calling comes with the following security credentials and features:
  • End to end encryption
  • HIPAA/BAA compliance
  • Meeting lock
  • Enforce meeting password
  • TLS 1.2 (signaling) & AES-256-GCM (media)
For extra features like call center and enterprise security, you need to upgrade to the Enterprise plan. This plan introduces features like:
  • Call barging
  • Call queuing
  • Call recording
  • Make and receive business calls using your mobile phone’s native dialer
  • FedRAMP authorization

< Back to menuWebex Calling supported devices

What Cisco phones work with Webex Calling?

  • Cisco 7800 series
  • Cisco 8800 series
  • Cisco 9800 series
  • All currently supported Cisco wireless handsets
  • Cisco 6800 Series
  • Cisco DECT 6800 series
  • All currently supported Cisco conference phone
Webex Calling Supported Devices

What other phones work with Webex Calling?

You can use Webex Calling with non-Cisco handsets too.

These include:

  • Yealink T3, T4, T5 series
  • Yealink W52H, W56H, W73H, W59R DECT handsets
  • Yealink CP920, CP960, CP925, CP965 conference phones
  • Poly VVX, CCX, SoundStation series
  • Poly 8300, 8500, 8800 conference phones
Poly 8300



What softphone clients work with Webex Calling?

While it’s possible to use third-party softphones with Webex Calling using SIP credentials, there is no support from Cisco.

As such, it’s recommended to use the Webex softphone client.

4515441

How do I call using Webex?

To make a call using Webex, you have several options:
  • Dial the phone number using the dialpad
  • Use the contact list to select someone you know
  • Return a missed call from the Missed list
  • Call a recently called number from the All list
  • Search a colleague’s name in the Search bar and hit Enter on your keyboard

< Back to menuHow does Webex Calling work?

Webex Calling is a cloud-based service that uses VoIP to send call data over the internet to make and receive calls. 

The data sent over the internet is referred to as digital packets. These packets are unassembled during transit then reassembled at the other end and the voice is heard by the receiver.

To make external calls with any cloud-based phone system, users first need to have external connectivity using SIP technology (PSTN breakout). 

Webex Calling offers three ways to do this:
  • Cisco Calling Plans: Out-of-the-box PSTN connectivity solution for Webex Calling. Allows for easy ordering of new numbers and the porting of existing ones. 

  • Local Gateway: For those hard-to-reach areas or those with more complex requirements. Allows you to continue to use your SIP trunks in regions with your current carrier or pair Webex Calling with a local gateway device to connect with any provider around the world. 

  • Cloud Connect: Allows you to ‘bring your own carrier’ to Webex for PSTN calling. Ideal for support in countries where Webex Calling isn’t supported. Uses trusted cross connects/cloud peering between Cisco data centers and external carriers. 


Pure IP provides availability in 50 PSTN replacement countries. If you need to deploy Webex Calling, but the region isn’t supported by Cisco, reach out to one of our Cisco team here.

As of April 2024, Webex is available in the following countries…


Country/Region

  


Africa


Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Reunion, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Asia


Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam


Australia


Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu


Central America


Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá


Europe


Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom


North America


American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, US Virgin Islands


South America


Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

 

A regularly updated table can be found here.

Cloud Connect also comes with the benefit of the cost savings. While Webex Calling directly through Cisco may come with unlimited domestic minutes, there’s only so much bundling and discount that can be offered internationally.

Benefits of Webex Calling?

Benefit

Description

Expandable to almost any country with Pure IP Cloud Connect

Ensure coverage of all locations through a combination of Webex Calling and a trusted partner with extensive geographic reach

99.99% SLA 

Gives you peace of mind that your service is available and can be further backed by Webex Site Survivability

Administered in the Webex Control Hub

Manage all aspects of your Webex estate; now with generative AI for help with troubleshooting

All-in-one platform

Users have a single interface for calling, messaging, and meetings

Consistently recognized as Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for UCaaS

Peer and industry recognition reinforces strength of solution

One of the most secure cloud PBX systems on the market

Assessed and analyzed by multiple third parties

Highly integrative

Plug in line of business app and even competitor products like Microsoft Teams

Thousands of positive reviews

G2, Capterra, and Gartner Peer Insights all rate over 4 out of 5

 

“Our in-house communication has become more efficient due to Webex Calling’s user-friendly interface. From any device, placing and taking calls seems natural and the process of integrating it with our current workflow is easy. It promotes a centralized hub for communication due to its smooth integration with other Webex features like meetings and messaging.”
Adam S., Human Resource Manager at a mid-market education management company.
Control_Hub-1

Webex Calling Pricing

There are three tiers to subscribe to Webex Calling; all of which as SaaS models.

The Webex Call package grants access to all the basic features and starts at $17 per user per month.

Webex Suite unlocks meetings without a time limit (instead of capped at 40 minutes), 200-person capacity meetings (instead of 100), and includes tons of advanced meeting features. This package starts at $25 per user per month and represents great value for users who hold lots of virtual meetings.

Webex Enterprise is the top tier to subscribe to Webex Calling. You get everything in Webex Suite and Webex Call as well as 1,000-person capacity meetings, unlimited cloud recording, FedRAMP security, call center and streaming features. You must contact the Webex sales team for a custom enterprise quote.

 

Webex Calling Pricing

< Back to menuIs Webex Calling free?

You can get a free trial of Webex Calling for 90 days.

Included in a Webex Calling trial is:
  • All the Webex Call features
  • A loan of Cisco IP phones (if you need them)
There is no free tier for Webex Calling on an ongoing basis. However, you can sign up for the Webex Free plan if you only wish to host virtual meetings.

The following features are included in a free Webex plan:
  • Meeting length up to 40 min
  • Up to 100 attendees
  • Unlimited one-to-one and team messaging
  • Unlimited whiteboard
Is Webex Calling free

< Back to menuPros and cons of Webex Calling

Pros

Cons

Longstanding telecoms legacy

Requires third party for global coverage

Large ecosystem of partners and integrations

Multiple interface refreshes in recent years

Extensive professional services function

Number of layoffs in recent years

Highly integrative with other Cisco products

Some users report clunky app experience

Highly integrative with competing solutions

Cost is prohibitive for small businesses

 

What’s the best thing about Webex?

It could be argued that Webex is the most secure cloud calling solution on the market.

From its highly secure data centers housing the cloud environments to its multilayer security model, there’s a lot that gets security experts excited about Webex.

Data center security initiatives include:
  • 24-hour on-site security
  • Nondescript unmarked facilities with natural boundary protection
  • Silent alarm system with automatic notification to local law enforcement
  • Fully redundant HVAC facilities
  • Automatic fire suppression systems
  • N+1 redundant uninterruptible power source with redundant backup generators
  • Location specific disaster recovery plan
  • Biometric scanning and two-factor authentication for access
  • All ingress and egress through vestibules (man-traps)
  • Access requires a valid government-issued photo ID
  • Authorization needed prior to access
  • Shipping and receiving are walled off from co-location areas
  • All material inspected upon arrival by security staff

Webex Calling is certified to the following standards:
  • ISO 27001: 2013
  • ISO/IEC 27017: 2015
  • ISO/IEC 27018: 2019
  • SOC 2 Type II for applicable trust services criteria for security, availability, confidentiality
  • SOC 2 Type II Privacy
  • SOC 3

Webex Calling runs a multilayer security model. This means you get unmatched visibility and threat detection backed by a resilient foundation using Cisco’s award-winning infrastructure.

Security Model

As standard, you get carrier-grade availability. This is ensured by:

  • N+1 server clustering
  • Automatic data replication within and between data centers
  • Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) detection and prevention
  • Geographic redundancy (10 data centers across three continents)

 

Data Centers

 

What are the negatives of Webex?

Webex has gone through a lot of interface refreshes over the last decade. From a user standpoint, this can be a little annoying as you must get used to changes in feature placement.

For example, if you’ve memorized how to make a call without even looking at the screen, you might have to learn a new habit. Likewise, if it’s taken a long time to learn a specific workflow, you must now start that process again.

That said, the current Webex app is the most intuitive to date. A lot of work has gone into the modernization of the Webex app for calling, messaging, and meetings. Many users and industry commentators now feel it’s more able to compete with the likes of Slack and Zoom when it comes to usability. This feat was unheard of only a few years ago.

Negatives of Webex

< Back to menuIs it easy to migrate Webex Calling?

Yes. If you have the right help along the way. 

Here’s how you can migrate to the Calling Plan and Cloud Connect models.

How to migrate to Cisco Calling Plans

If you are using Cisco Calling Plans, the first step is to set up your Webex Calling account and configure your calling settings. 

This process can be done through the Webex Calling portal, which provides a user-friendly interface to manage your calling features.

To do this, head to settings.webex.com and log in using your Webex credentials. Walk through the guided step to create your new account.

 

Account setup is crucial as this will be the area you store user details and phone numbers.

After you’ve set up your account, you need to migrate your existing phone numbers to Webex Calling. 

The next step is to transfer your number to Webex Calling. This process can take a few days to complete, depending on your service provider's policies and the complexity of your phone system. If you’re moving Cisco to Cisco, the process is often quicker.

Head to the Port or transfer existing number section and enter the numbers you wish to port.

Add Numbers

Follow the steps in the workflow to complete your porting request. Updates will appear in the portal and via email if you have notifications enabled. 

Note: when porting numbers from a third party (i.e. not Cisco), you will need to sign and upload a letter of authority and recent bill before you can start porting.

Important: make sure you check for the porting date so your numbers don’t move without you knowing.

Once ported, your numbers will appear in the Webex Control Hub under the Calling section. Here, you can manage numbers, users, routing, and apply specific features as you need.

How to migrate to Cloud Connect

To use Cloud Connect, you need to get number and connectivity services from a Cisco Certified Calling Provider. 

At this stage, it’s recommended to have an understanding of phone numbers needed, existing ones that need to be ported, and your usage. 

Need help preparing your numbers before porting? 

Get an understanding of your telephony environment to fast track your migration to the cloud.

The actual provisioning and porting of numbers is done via the Webex Control Hub. From here, you can connect to your chosen provider and add details of required numbers.

Once ported, you can make any number or user changes here too.

Webex Control Hub-1

 

< Back to menuHow Pure IP can help you with Webex Calling

You can connect Pure IP’s secure and resilient cloud-based global voice network with Webex Calling for a high-quality and reliable voice service.

Not only can you reach the locations Cisco doesn’t serve, but you can also save a considerable amount on international costs.

The solution uses direct links between our voice network and Webex Calling. To achieve end-to-end compatibility with the Webex network, we deliver a managed voice solution with 24/7 technical support and a suite of online management tools.

Specifically aimed at enterprises, Pure IP supports a wide range of deployments including basic calling scenarios, enterprise-scale dedicated instance migrations, and demanding high-volume Webex Contact Center deployments.

Pure IP also offers managed SBC services for extended geographic coverage and SIP Connect services to integrate with legacy and analog devices.

Whatever your need is, if Webex Calling is in the mix, we’re sure we can help.

webexbycisco-3d-vertical-color-black-text1 update-1

Ready to migrate Webex Calling?

Book a call with one of our Webex Calling experts.
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