How many types of hotline prefixes are there? Which hotline prefix should businesses use

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Hotline switchboards are commonly used by businesses for sales consulting and customer care support, meeting customer needs throughout and after the sales process. However, choosing the right hotline prefix for your switchboard to suit your business is not a simple task.

What is a hotline prefix?

A hotline, also known as a “hot line,” is a direct connection between a business and its customers for receiving all requests and feedback regarding products or services. It is widely used by businesses operating in the service industry, helping to build a professional brand image and provide fast customer support to enhance credibility.

Hotline prefixes come in 4 forms: the 1900 prefix, the 1800 prefix, mobile number prefixes, and fixed SIP number prefixes.

Which prefix should you choose as your switchboard hotline?

The 1800 Prefix

The 1800 Hotline Prefix

The 1800 prefix is a toll-free number for callers — any additional charges incurred are covered by the business that registered the prefix. However, the 1800 prefix only allows incoming calls from customers; outgoing calls are not permitted. Using this prefix gives customers the impression that the business is fully dedicated to consulting and caring for them.

Which businesses should use the 1800 prefix?

It is best suited for large businesses that want to encourage more inbound calls. It is also a great fit for businesses looking to enhance their customer support and consulting services.

The 1900 Prefix

The 1900 Hotline Prefix

Whenever people think of a sales and consulting hotline, the 1900 prefix immediately comes to mind, thanks to its high practicality and versatility. Like the 1800 prefix, the 1900 prefix only allows incoming calls and does not permit outgoing calls. Customers are charged a fee when calling in, ranging from 1,000 VND to 8,000 VND per minute, and businesses that register the prefix receive a share of the revenue from incoming call charges.

Which businesses should use the 1900 prefix?

Businesses can use this prefix to enhance customer-facing services such as sales, consulting, and customer care. However, the call rate should ideally be set at 1,000 VND per minute to keep customers comfortable with both the time spent and the cost of calling.

The 1900 prefix can also be used for commercial purposes by individuals and organizations across various fields — such as legal consulting, overseas study advising, visa processing, and more — at higher rates ranging from 3,000 VND to 5,000 VND per minute, or even higher depending on the purpose and usage needs.

Mobile Number Prefixes

With a mobile prefix, businesses simply need a mobile SIM such as 038xxx, 079xxx, etc. to set up a sales consulting and service support hotline. It is favored by some businesses for its convenience and ease of operation, with low monthly subscription costs and no dependence on area codes. However, cross-network call costs can be quite high.

Which businesses should use mobile prefixes?

Mobile prefixes don’t carry strong brand recognition due to their long, hard-to-remember number strings. They are most commonly used by small and medium-sized businesses, household businesses, and shops, thanks to their flexibility and ease of deployment. They are also a good option for businesses looking to save on monthly costs without concern for the outgoing number displayed to customers.

Fixed Number Prefixes

Fixed Number Prefixes

Fixed number prefixes operate on an IP-based platform, allowing businesses to use a single number while supporting two-way interaction and handling multiple calls simultaneously. This makes consulting, customer care, and telesales more convenient. Fixed prefixes use familiar area codes such as 024 for Hanoi and 028 for Ho Chi Minh City.

Which businesses should use fixed number prefixes?

All businesses should consider registering a fixed number prefix when setting up their operations, due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. Simply having an internet connection is enough to use the system from anywhere. It also makes it easy to set up an internal network between branches and departments, meeting a wide range of needs — from technical consulting and warranty support to sales and general customer inquiries — all while keeping call costs lower.

We hope this gives you a clearer picture of the different types of hotline prefixes available, helping you choose the most suitable hotline number for your business.

VIHAT TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd

Headquarters: ViHAT Building – 06 Street No. 16 (Him Lam Residential Area) – Hiep Binh Chanh Ward – Thu Duc District – Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi Branch: Floor 15, LADECO Building, 266 Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Cambodia Branch: Thida Rath #154 St. 33MC, Sangkat Steung Meanchey, Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh