Configure call forwarding on unassigned number ranges in Skype for Business

2017-06-08 2 min read Skype for Business Erwin Bierens

One of the great (for some people unknown) features introduced in Lync Server 2010 is the ability to assign a block of numbers to Lync and have Lync handle a call made to an unassigned number a specific way rather than just have a (fast) busy signal or the 404 error in SIP. This great feature is still availlable in Lync Server 2013 and Skype for Business Server 2015.

Let’s build a text-to-speech message and forward the call to the reception for example:

Open the Skype for Business Management Shell and choose on of the following:

Route to a Response Group or User
New-CsAnnouncement -Identity ApplicationServer:SKYPEFE01.skypedev.nl -Name “Forward Announcement” -TextToSpeechPrompt “Thank you for calling Contoso, please wait while we redirect your call.” -Language “en-US” -TargetUri sip:user@skypedev.nl
Route to a specific (SIP) phone number
New-CsAnnouncement -Identity ApplicationServer:SKYPEFE01.skypedev.nl -Name “Forward Announcement” -TextToSpeechPrompt “Thank you for calling Contoso, please wait while we redirect your call.” -Language “en-US” -TargetUri “sip:+31884461111@skypedev.nl;user=phone”

Execute the following powershell command to create the unassigned number range and assign our announcement/forward to the unassigned number range. This is also possible via the Skype for Business Control Panel.

New-CsUnassignedNumber -Identity “Unassigned Number Range” -NumberRangeStart “+31884461000” -NumberRangeEnd “+31884461999” -AnnouncementName “Forward Announcement” -AnnouncementService ApplicationServer:SKYPEFE01.skypedev.nl

Skype for Business Management Shell

Now everything is set up, call one of the unassigned numbers and check if everything works like you build. It will take some minutes before it will be active.