Setting up a trunk and route for free Directory Assistance in the USA

This makes use of the free 1-800-FREE411™ and/or 1-800-411-SAVE services, so that all Directory Assistance calls are free (I note that Google has now started up a service at 1-800-GOOG-411 but it is only for U.S. business listings). Here's the easy way to set this up in FreePBX:

Method #1 (the new way):

This will only let you use ONE of the above services. If you want
to be able to fall through to the other service when your primary
choice is unreachable , then use Method #2 below. This simply creates
the equivalent of one or more speed-dials to the service of your choice

• Create a Misc Destination.
  • Give it a description, such as "Directory Assistance".
  • Put the number of the service you wish to use (such as 18003733411) in the dial: text field.
  • Don't forget to click "Submit Changes".

• Create a Misc Application.
  • Give it a description, such as "Directory Assistance".
  • Put the number you want to use in the Feature Code: text field. Typical choices are:
    • 411
    • 5551212
    • _1NXX5551212 (Note the initial underscore)
    • _NXX5551212 (Note the initial underscore)
  • Make the Destination the Misc Destination that you created in the first step.
  • Don't forget to click "Submit Changes".
  • If you wish to match all of the above-mentioned patterns, you
    can create as many additional Misc Applications as you need, however
    you should also consider using Method #2.

Method #2 (the old way, but possibly the best way):

Not only will this allow you to possibly fall through to another
service if your first choice is unreachable, but it's also a bit easier
if you're matching many patterns. Also you can place it in the correct
priority order among your routes, which is not possible with Method #1
(see the notes below). The only downside is that the method used here
is a bit less obvious in its workings.

Create the Trunk(s)

Create a new CUSTOM Trunk. Normally the ONLY thing you need to fill
in for this trunk is the Custom Dial String, which will be in the form:

Local/number-to-call@outbound-allroutes

Where the number-to-call will be
18003733411 or 18004117283, so the Custom Dial String would simply look
like one of these (better yet, you could create two custom trunks so
you have have access to both, in case one is down):

Local/18003733411@outbound-allroutes

Local/18004117283@outbound-allroutes

Bear in mind that you must have an outbound route that will pass 1-800 number calls, otherwise this won't work.

Create The Route

1) Name the route whatever you like, for example, "411" or "DirectoryAssistance"

2) In the Dial Patterns put the following lines:

411

5551212

1NXX5551212

NXX5551212

If there are any other local variations that normally work for
calling Directory Assistance (such as 1411), you may wish to include
those also.

3) Select the trunk(s) you just created. It/they will show the name
AMP: plus whatever you put in the Custom Dial String, for example:

AMP:Local/18003733411@outbound-allroutes

AMP:Local/18004117283@outbound-allroutes

4) Save the new route and then, when it appears in the list of
routes, use the arrows to move it to a position higher than the routes
you normally use for outgoing PSTN calls. This route must have a higher
priority than any other route where the pattern could match. For
example, if someone dials 1-212-555-1212, you want the call to hit this
route before any other routes to the 212 area code.

Notes:

First, be aware that if this route is higher in priority than
routes that handle calls to toll-free numbers, it will intercept calls
to 1-800-555-1212. If that's not desirable behavior, make sure your
route that handles North American toll-free calls is higher in priority
than this route.

Second, please be aware that ANY calls to 1NXX5551212 will be
picked off by this route, which means it will also intercept calls
intended for Directory Assistance in Canada and/or the Caribbean (those
portions that use the country code "1"). If that's not desirable, you
may need to specify each valid USA area code individually, e.g.
12125551212, 12135551212, etc.