VOS3000 Time-Based Routing: Work Calendar and Period Rate Setup
Implementing VOS3000 time-based routing is one of the most powerful strategies for maximizing profit in a wholesale VoIP operation. While standard LCR routing selects gateways based on static cost priorities, this time-based approach adds a critical dimension: the ability to automatically shift traffic between vendors and rate tables based on the time of day, day of the week, and whether the day is a working day or a holiday. This means you can route calls through the cheapest available vendor during off-peak hours, switch to higher-quality providers during peak business hours, and apply entirely different rate structures on weekends and holidays — all without any manual intervention.
Many VOS3000 operators leave significant money on the table because they rely solely on static LCR routing and never configure time-based routing. Vendors frequently offer different rates for peak and off-peak hours, and failing to take advantage of these rate differences means you are overpaying for termination during low-cost periods. This guide walks you through the complete VOS3000 time-based routing configuration process, covering Work Calendar setup (VOS3000 Manual Section 2.12.4), Package Period Rate Management (VOS3000 Manual Section 2.3.2), and the practical integration of both features to create a dynamic routing strategy that adapts to time-based cost fluctuations. For professional assistance with your routing setup, contact us on WhatsApp at +8801911119966.
Table of Contents
Why VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Matters for VoIP Profitability
Understanding why VOS3000 time-based routing is essential requires looking at how VoIP termination costs actually work in the real world. Most carriers and termination providers offer different rates depending on the time of day. Peak hours typically have higher termination costs because network congestion is greater and demand is higher. Off-peak hours, usually nighttime and weekends, have significantly lower rates because network capacity is underutilized. A wholesale VoIP operator who routes all traffic through the same gateway with the same rate table regardless of time is effectively paying peak rates 24 hours a day.
The financial impact of this oversight can be enormous. Consider a VoIP operation handling 500,000 minutes per day. If the difference between peak and off-peak rates is just $0.002 per minute, and 40% of your traffic falls in off-peak hours, you are losing $400 per day or $12,000 per month by not implementing time-based routing. Over a year, that amounts to $146,000 in lost profit — all because you did not configure time-based routing properly.
| 📊 Scenario | 💰 Daily Savings | 💰 Monthly Savings | 💰 Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100K min/day, $0.002 diff | $80 | $2,400 | $29,200 |
| 500K min/day, $0.002 diff | $400 | $12,000 | $146,000 |
| 1M min/day, $0.002 diff | $800 | $24,000 | $292,000 |
| 1M min/day, $0.005 diff | $2,000 | $60,000 | $730,000 |
How VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Differs from Simple LCR
It is important to understand the distinction between standard LCR routing and VOS3000 time-based routing. Our VOS3000 LCR routing guide covers the fundamentals of least cost routing, which selects gateways based on static priorities and prefix matching. LCR routing always routes the same way regardless of when the call arrives. VOS3000 time-based routing adds a time dimension to this decision process, allowing different routing and billing rules to apply during different time periods.
Think of it this way: LCR routing answers the question “Which gateway is cheapest for this destination?” while VOS3000 time-based routing answers the question “Which gateway is cheapest for this destination at this specific time?” The combination of LCR and time-based routing gives you the most sophisticated routing strategy possible in VOS3000.
| ⚙️ Feature | 📋 LCR Routing Only | 🕐 VOS3000 Time-Based Routing |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway selection | Static priority-based | Dynamic, time-dependent |
| Rate table applied | Single rate table always | Different rate tables by time |
| Weekend handling | Same as weekday | Different routing and rates |
| Holiday handling | Same as any day | Custom holiday rates |
| Cost optimization | Lowest static cost | Lowest cost per time period |
| Manual intervention | Required for rate changes | Fully automatic switching |
| Profit potential | Good | Maximum |
Understanding the VOS3000 Work Calendar System
The Work Calendar is the foundation of VOS3000 time-based routing. It defines what constitutes a working day, a non-working day, working hours, and non-working hours. These definitions are then used by the Package Period Rate system to determine which rate table and routing rules apply at any given moment. The Work Calendar is configured in the VOS3000 web interface under Navigation > System management > Work calendar (VOS3000 Manual Section 2.12.4, Page 174).
The Work Calendar system in VOS3000 is surprisingly powerful. It does not simply distinguish between “day” and “night” — it allows you to define complex schedules that account for different working hours on different days of the week, designated holidays, and special non-working days. This granularity is what makes time-based routing so effective for wholesale VoIP operations that need to adapt to carrier rate schedules.
Work Calendar Configuration Fields
When you create a new Work Calendar entry, you need to understand each configuration field and how it affects your routing. Here is a detailed breakdown of the Work Calendar settings as documented in VOS3000 Manual Section 2.12.4 (Page 174-176):
- Calendar Name: A descriptive name for the calendar. Choose a name that clearly indicates its purpose, such as “BD_Wholesale_Schedule” for a Bangladesh wholesale operation or “UK_Business_Hours” for UK-oriented traffic. The calendar name is referenced by other VOS3000 modules including Package Period Rate and account settings.
- Working Day: Specify which days of the week are considered working days. Typically Monday through Friday are working days, while Saturday and Sunday are non-working days. However, in some regions, the work week differs, and VOS3000 allows you to configure any combination of days as working or non-working.
- Working Hours: Define the start and end times for working hours on working days. For example, 08:00 to 18:00 means that calls between 8 AM and 6 PM on working days use the working-hour rate table and routing rules. The time format is 24-hour (HH:MM).
- Non-Working Hours: The period outside the defined working hours on working days, plus all hours on non-working days. Non-working hours automatically use different rate tables and potentially different gateway priorities.
- Holiday Settings: Designate specific dates as holidays, which are treated as non-working days regardless of which day of the week they fall on. This is essential for applying special holiday rates.
| ⚙️ Field | 📝 Description | 💡 Example Value | 🎯 Routing Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar Name | Identifier for the calendar | BD_Wholesale_Schedule | Referenced by period rates and accounts |
| Working Days | Days classified as working | Mon-Fri | Applies working hour rates |
| Working Hours Start | Beginning of working period | 08:00 | Switches to daytime rate table |
| Working Hours End | End of working period | 18:00 | Switches to nighttime rate table |
| Holidays | Designated non-working dates | 2026-01-01, 2026-03-26 | Applies non-working day rates |
Step-by-Step Work Calendar Configuration for VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
Now let us walk through the actual process of creating and configuring a Work Calendar for VOS3000 time-based routing. This step-by-step guide follows the interface described in VOS3000 Manual Section 2.12.4 (Page 174-176).
Step 1: Access the Work Calendar Interface
Log in to the VOS3000 web management interface with an administrator account. Navigate to Navigation > System management > Work calendar. The Work Calendar list page displays all existing calendars. From here, you can add, modify, or delete calendar entries.
To create a new calendar, click the Add button. A new calendar configuration form will appear with the fields described above.
Step 2: Define Calendar Name and Working Days
Enter a descriptive Calendar Name that reflects the purpose of this calendar. For time-based routing purposes, use names that clearly indicate the schedule type and target market. Examples include:
- BD_PeakOffPeak: For Bangladesh traffic with peak/off-peak rate switching
- UK_BusinessHours: For UK-destined traffic following UK business hours
- Global_247_Weekend: For a global operation that only differentiates weekday vs. weekend
- Holiday_Special_2026: For a calendar specifically designed for holiday rate management
Select the Working Days checkboxes to indicate which days of the week are working days. In most wholesale VoIP scenarios, Monday through Friday are working days because carrier rate structures typically differentiate between weekday and weekend rates.
Step 3: Set Working and Non-Working Hours
Define the Working Hours start and end times. The most common configuration for time-based routing is 08:00 to 18:00, which aligns with typical carrier peak-hour billing periods. However, you should check your vendor rate agreements to determine their exact peak and off-peak definitions.
Some important considerations when setting working hours:
- Match vendor definitions: Your working hours must align with when your vendors charge peak rates. If a vendor defines peak hours as 09:00-21:00, set your working hours accordingly to avoid paying peak rates while applying off-peak rates to your customers.
- Time zone awareness: Working hours should correspond to the time zone of your vendor or destination, not necessarily your local time zone. If you route traffic to the US but operate from Asia, your working hours should reflect US business hours.
- Multiple calendars: Create separate calendars for different destination regions if they have different peak-hour definitions. You can then assign the appropriate calendar to each account or rate configuration.
Step 4: Configure Holiday Dates
Add specific dates as holidays in the Work Calendar. Holidays are treated as non-working days regardless of the day of the week. For time-based routing, holidays are important because many carriers offer special low rates on public holidays, similar to weekend rates.
To add a holiday, specify the date in the holiday list within the calendar configuration. You can add as many holidays as needed. Common holidays to include for Bangladesh-destined traffic include:
- March 26 — Independence Day
- December 16 — Victory Day
- Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha (variable dates)
- January 1 — New Year’s Day
For international operations, include the public holidays of your primary destination countries. Remember to update holiday dates annually as some holidays change each year.
Step 5: Save and Verify the Calendar
After configuring all fields, click Save to create the calendar. Verify the calendar appears in the Work Calendar list with the correct configuration. The calendar is now ready to be referenced by Package Period Rate configurations and account settings.
Configuring Package Period Rate Management for VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
The Work Calendar defines when different time periods occur, but it is the Package Period Rate Management that determines what actually happens during those periods. This is where you bind specific rate tables to working hours and non-working hours, creating the actual time-dependent billing and routing behavior. Navigate to Rate Management > Package Period Rate Management (VOS3000 Manual Section 2.3.2, Page 10-12).
Package Period Rate Management is the engine that drives time-based routing in VOS3000. Without it, the Work Calendar simply categorizes time periods but does not change any routing or billing behavior. The Package Period Rate configuration links a calendar to specific rate tables, ensuring that the correct rates are applied at the correct times automatically.
Package Period Rate Configuration Fields
When you create a Package Period Rate entry, you need to configure the following fields as described in VOS3000 Manual Section 2.3.2 (Page 10-12):
- Period Rate Name: A descriptive name for this period rate configuration. Use names that clearly describe the rate switching behavior, such as “BD_DayNight_Switch” or “UK_PeakOffPeak_Rate”.
- Work Calendar: Select the Work Calendar that defines the time periods for this configuration. The calendar determines which hours are working hours and which are non-working hours.
- Working Hours Rate Table: Select the rate table that applies during working hours as defined by the selected calendar. This is typically your peak-hour rate table with higher rates.
- Non-Working Hours Rate Table: Select the rate table that applies during non-working hours. This is typically your off-peak rate table with lower rates.
| ⚙️ Field | 📝 Description | 🎯 Purpose in Time-Based Routing |
|---|---|---|
| Period Rate Name | Identifier for the configuration | Links to account and rate group settings |
| Work Calendar | Reference to calendar definition | Determines when each period starts/ends |
| Working Hours Rate Table | Rate table for peak hours | Higher sell rates during business hours |
| Non-Working Hours Rate Table | Rate table for off-peak hours | Lower sell rates during nights/weekends |
Step-by-Step Package Period Rate Configuration
Follow these steps to configure Package Period Rate Management for VOS3000 time-based routing:
Step 1: Navigate to Rate Management > Package Period Rate Management in the VOS3000 web interface.
Step 2: Click Add to create a new Package Period Rate entry.
Step 3: Enter the Period Rate Name. Use a descriptive name that indicates the routing purpose, such as “BD_Wholesale_DayNight”.
Step 4: Select the Work Calendar from the dropdown list. This should be the calendar you created earlier that defines the working and non-working hours for your target market.
Step 5: Select the Working Hours Rate Table from the dropdown. This rate table should contain your peak-hour selling rates. These rates are typically higher because vendor costs are higher during peak hours, and you need to maintain your margin.
Step 6: Select the Non-Working Hours Rate Table from the dropdown. This rate table should contain your off-peak selling rates. These can be lower while still maintaining profit margins because vendor costs are lower during off-peak hours.
Step 7: Click Save to create the Package Period Rate configuration.
After saving, the period rate configuration will automatically switch between the two rate tables based on the Work Calendar schedule. No manual intervention is required — the system handles the switching seamlessly.
Binding Rate Tables for Daytime vs. Nighttime in VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
Creating effective rate table bindings is where time-based routing translates from configuration into actual financial results. The rate tables you bind to working and non-working hours determine exactly how much you charge customers during each period, directly affecting your profit margins.
Before configuring Package Period Rate bindings, you need to have both rate tables already created in Rate Management > Rate Table Management (VOS3000 Manual Section 2.2.2). Each rate table must contain rate entries for all the prefixes you plan to bill. For a comprehensive understanding of rate table setup, refer to our VOS3000 billing system guide.
Designing Daytime and Nighttime Rate Tables
The key principle for designing rate tables for this routing method is that each rate table must cover the same set of prefixes but with different rate values. The daytime rate table has higher rates that account for peak vendor costs plus your desired margin. The nighttime rate table has lower rates that reflect reduced vendor costs while still maintaining acceptable margins.
| 🔢 Prefix | 📋 Destination | ☀️ Day Rate (08:00-18:00) | 🌙 Night Rate (18:00-08:00) | 💰 Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88017 | BD Grameenphone | $0.012/min | $0.008/min | 33% lower |
| 88018 | BD Robi Mobile | $0.012/min | $0.008/min | 33% lower |
| 88019 | BD Banglalink | $0.013/min | $0.009/min | 31% lower |
| 8802 | BD Landline | $0.010/min | $0.005/min | 50% lower |
| 44 | UK Landline | $0.008/min | $0.004/min | 50% lower |
| 1 | USA/Canada | $0.005/min | $0.003/min | 40% lower |
Vendor Rate Table Considerations
While most operators focus on customer-facing sell rates when setting up time-based routing, you should also configure rate switching on the vendor (buy) side if your vendors offer different rates for peak and off-peak periods. This ensures that VOS3000 accurately calculates your margins in real time and can make better routing decisions.
To configure vendor-side period rates, create separate buy rate tables for peak and off-peak hours, then create a Package Period Rate configuration that binds these rate tables to the same Work Calendar. Assign this period rate configuration to your vendor accounts. When VOS3000 time-based routing switches the buy rate table at 18:00, the system immediately starts using the lower off-peak rates for cost calculations.
Practical Use Cases for VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
Understanding the configuration steps is important, but seeing how time-based routing applies to real-world scenarios helps you design the most effective routing strategy for your specific business. Here are three practical use cases that demonstrate the power and flexibility of time-based routing.
Use Case 1: Wholesale Traffic Day/Night Shifting
A wholesale VoIP operator routes traffic to Bangladesh, India, and the UK. Their vendors offer significantly different rates for peak and off-peak hours. During peak hours (08:00-18:00), VendorA offers the best rates for Bangladesh at $0.008/min, while VendorB is cheaper for UK traffic at $0.006/min. During off-peak hours, VendorC offers much lower rates across all destinations — $0.004/min for Bangladesh and $0.003/min for the UK. However, VendorC has limited capacity and lower ASR during peak hours.
Without time-based routing, the operator would need to manually switch gateway priorities twice a day, which is error-prone and impractical. With time-based routing configured, the system automatically routes through VendorA and VendorB during peak hours and switches to VendorC during off-peak hours. This can save the operator thousands of dollars per month while maintaining optimal call quality during peak hours.
| 🕐 Time Period | 🏢 BD Gateway | 🏢 UK Gateway | 💰 BD Rate | 💰 UK Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00-18:00 (Peak) | VendorA (Priority 1) | VendorB (Priority 1) | $0.008/min | $0.006/min |
| 18:00-22:00 (Shoulder) | VendorC (Priority 1) | VendorC (Priority 1) | $0.005/min | $0.004/min |
| 22:00-08:00 (Off-Peak) | VendorC (Priority 1) | VendorC (Priority 1) | $0.004/min | $0.003/min |
Use Case 2: Weekend and Holiday Routing
Many carriers treat weekends and public holidays as extended off-peak periods, offering the same low rates as overnight hours. A VoIP operator who does not implement VOS3000 time-based routing for weekends is paying peak rates on Saturday and Sunday even though vendors charge off-peak rates. With the Work Calendar correctly defining Saturday and Sunday as non-working days, and holidays configured in the holiday list, VOS3000 automatically applies the non-working hours rate table for the entire weekend and on designated holidays.
This is especially valuable for operators handling call center traffic, which often has reduced or zero volume on weekends. By applying lower sell rates on weekends (matching the lower vendor costs), you can attract more weekend traffic from price-sensitive customers while still maintaining healthy margins.
Use Case 3: Multi-Timezone Routing
For operators routing traffic to multiple countries across different time zones, VOS3000 time-based routing becomes even more critical. When it is peak hours in Bangladesh (GMT+6), it might be off-peak in the UK (GMT+0) and late night in the US (GMT-5). A single Work Calendar cannot accurately represent peak hours for all destinations simultaneously.
The solution is to create multiple Work Calendars, each aligned to a specific destination’s time zone. Then create separate Package Period Rate configurations for each destination group. Assign the appropriate period rate to each customer account or rate group based on the destinations they call most frequently. While this requires more initial setup, the resulting routing precision can significantly increase profitability for multi-region operations.
Integrating Work Calendar with Account Settings in VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
The Work Calendar does not operate in isolation — it integrates with several other VOS3000 modules to deliver complete VOS3000 time-based routing functionality. One of the most important integrations is with the account settings, where you can bind a Work Calendar to individual accounts for customized time-based behavior.
Account-Level Calendar Binding
In the account configuration (Operation Management > Account Operation), each account can be associated with a specific Work Calendar. This association affects how time-based routing behaves for that particular account. When an account has a Work Calendar assigned, the system uses that calendar’s definitions to determine whether the current time falls in working or non-working hours for rate and routing decisions specific to that account.
This is particularly useful when you have customers in different time zones. A customer based in the UK should have their account bound to a UK Work Calendar, while a customer in Bangladesh should use a BD Work Calendar. This ensures that each customer’s rates and routing are aligned with their local business hours, not yours.
Suppressing All Duration Too Long Alarm
An often-overlooked feature that integrates with the Work Calendar is the account setting “Suppressing all duration too long alarm” (VOS3000 Manual Section 2.5.2.3). This setting, when enabled for an account, suppresses alarm notifications for calls that exceed the configured maximum duration threshold. The relevance to VOS3000 time-based routing is that during non-working hours, long-duration calls are more common (especially for international traffic where people have extended conversations during off-peak rate periods).
Without this suppression, your alarm system would generate excessive notifications during nighttime and weekend hours, flooding your monitoring system with false alerts. By binding the Work Calendar to the account and enabling duration alarm suppression, VOS3000 can intelligently manage alarms based on time periods, reducing noise during expected long-call periods while maintaining alert sensitivity during working hours when unexpectedly long calls may indicate fraud or technical issues.
| 🔧 Feature | 📝 Description | 🎯 VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Account Calendar Binding | Links account to a Work Calendar | Per-account time-based rate switching |
| Duration Alarm Suppression | Suppresses long-call alarms | Reduces false alerts during off-peak |
| Period Rate Assignment | Binds period rate to account | Automatic rate table switching per account |
| Rate Group Authorization | Controls which rates accounts can use | Limits time-based rates to authorized accounts |
VOS3000 Time-Based Routing and Gateway Priority Integration
While the Package Period Rate system handles rate table switching, the actual call routing (which gateway the call is sent through) is controlled by gateway priorities in the routing gateway configuration. For a complete time-based routing setup, you need to understand how rate switching interacts with gateway priority settings.
There are two primary approaches to implementing time-based gateway switching in VOS3000:
Approach 1: Period Rate with Fixed Gateway Priorities
In this approach, gateway priorities remain static, but the rate table changes based on time. This means that the same gateway is always used for a given prefix regardless of time, but the billing rate applied to the call changes. This is the simpler approach and works well when your vendor offers different rates for peak and off-peak but routes through the same gateway.
The advantage of this approach is simplicity — you only need to configure the Package Period Rate, and the gateway configuration remains unchanged. The disadvantage is that you cannot route calls through different gateways based on time; you can only change the billing rates.
Approach 2: Period Rate with Dynamic Gateway Priorities
For more advanced VOS3000 time-based routing, you can combine period rates with different gateway priority configurations. This approach involves creating separate routing gateway entries with different priorities for working and non-working hours. While VOS3000 does not natively switch gateway priorities based on the Work Calendar directly, you can achieve similar results by:
- Creating multiple rate groups — one for peak hours with the peak-hour vendor as the preferred gateway, and one for off-peak hours with the off-peak vendor as preferred
- Using the Package Period Rate to switch between these rate groups based on the Work Calendar
- Configuring account settings to use the appropriate rate group based on the period
This approach requires more configuration but provides the most flexible and profitable time-based routing setup. The key insight is that when the period rate switches the rate table, the rate table can be associated with different gateway priority configurations, effectively changing which gateway handles the call.
For help setting up this advanced configuration, contact our VOS3000 specialists on WhatsApp at +8801911119966.
| 🎯 Approach | ⚙️ Configuration Complexity | ✅ Advantages | ⚠️ Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Gateway + Period Rates | Low | Simple setup, reliable | Cannot switch gateways by time |
| Dynamic Gateway + Period Rates | Medium-High | Full time-based routing control | Requires more configuration effort |
Common VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Configuration Mistakes
Even experienced VOS3000 operators make mistakes when configuring time-based routing. These errors can result in incorrect billing, lost revenue, or routing failures. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Mismatched Working Hours Between Calendar and Vendor Definitions
If your Work Calendar defines working hours as 08:00-18:00, but your vendor defines peak hours as 09:00-21:00, you will be applying off-peak sell rates during the vendor’s peak period from 18:00-21:00. This means you are selling at off-peak rates but paying peak vendor costs, which erodes your margin or even causes losses. Always verify that your Work Calendar working hours match your vendor’s peak-hour definitions exactly.
Mistake 2: Incomplete Rate Tables
Both the working hours and non-working hours rate tables must contain rate entries for all prefixes that your customers might dial. If the daytime rate table has an entry for prefix 88017 but the nighttime rate table does not, calls to 88017 during nighttime hours will either fail to bill correctly or use a default rate that may be incorrect. Always ensure both rate tables have complete and matching prefix coverage.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to Update Holiday Dates
Holiday dates change every year, and some holidays (like Eid) move based on the lunar calendar. If you configure holidays in your Work Calendar but never update them, your time-based routing will treat old holidays as non-working days while actual holidays pass unrecognized. Set a recurring reminder to update holiday dates at the beginning of each year.
Mistake 4: Not Testing Time-Based Rate Switching
After configuring VOS3000 time-based routing, many operators fail to verify that the rate switching actually works. The result can be that rates never switch, or they switch at the wrong times. Always test by making test calls just before and after the working hours boundary and verifying in the CDR that the correct rate table was applied.
| ⚠️ Mistake | 💥 Impact | ✅ Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Mismatched working hours | Margin erosion or losses | Match calendar to vendor peak hours exactly |
| Incomplete rate tables | Incorrect billing for some prefixes | Verify both tables have identical prefix coverage |
| Outdated holiday dates | Wrong rates on actual holidays | Update holidays annually; set reminders |
| No testing after setup | Silent failures in rate switching | Test calls across time boundaries, check CDRs |
| Time zone mismatch | Rates switch at wrong times | Use destination time zone, not local |
| Not binding calendar to accounts | Period rates never activate | Assign calendar and period rate to each account |
Verifying VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Configuration
After configuring your Work Calendar and Package Period Rate, you must verify that VOS3000 time-based routing is working correctly. Verification involves both immediate testing and ongoing monitoring.
Immediate Verification Steps
Step 1: Check Calendar Status. Navigate to System Management > Work Calendar and verify your calendar appears in the list with the correct working days and hours. Click on the calendar to review all settings including holiday dates.
Step 2: Verify Period Rate Configuration. Navigate to Rate Management > Package Period Rate Management and confirm that your period rate entry shows the correct Work Calendar, working hours rate table, and non-working hours rate table.
Step 3: Make Test Calls. Make test calls during both working and non-working hours. After each test call, check the CDR record to verify that the correct rate table was applied. The CDR should show the rate from the working hours table during the day and the rate from the non-working hours table at night.
Step 4: Test Boundary Conditions. Make test calls at the exact boundary between working and non-working hours (for example, at 17:59 and 18:01) to verify that the rate switch happens at the correct time. This is where timing errors are most likely to appear.
Ongoing Monitoring for VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
Regular monitoring ensures that your VOS3000 time-based routing continues to function correctly over time. Key monitoring activities include:
- Weekly CDR review: Sample CDRs from both working and non-working hours to confirm rate tables are switching correctly
- Margin analysis: Compare working hours margins against non-working hours margins to verify that your time-based pricing is generating the expected profitability improvement
- Gateway utilization reports: Monitor whether traffic distribution between gateways changes between working and non-working hours as expected
- Holiday verification: Before each holiday, verify that the date is correctly configured in the Work Calendar
For more detailed CDR analysis techniques, refer to our VOS3000 billing system guide.
Advanced VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Techniques
Once you have the basic time-based routing configuration working, several advanced techniques can further optimize your routing strategy and increase profitability.
Multiple Period Rate Configurations
VOS3000 allows you to create multiple Package Period Rate configurations, each with a different Work Calendar and different rate table bindings. This is essential for operations that serve customers across multiple time zones or with different pricing agreements. For example, you might have one period rate configuration for retail customers (who get a small off-peak discount) and another for wholesale customers (who get a larger off-peak discount).
Each period rate configuration is assigned to specific accounts or rate groups, ensuring that the correct time-based billing behavior applies to each customer segment.
Combining Time-Based Routing with Prefix-Based Rate Optimization
The most powerful routing strategies combine VOS3000 time-based routing with prefix-based rate optimization. For detailed prefix configuration, see our VOS3000 prefix settings guide. By having different rate tables for different prefix groups AND different time periods, you create a multi-dimensional pricing matrix that maximizes margin across every combination of destination and time.
For example, you might have four rate tables for Bangladesh mobile traffic:
- BD_Mobile_Peak_Workday: Highest rates for weekday peak hours
- BD_Mobile_OffPeak_Workday: Medium rates for weekday off-peak hours
- BD_Mobile_Peak_Weekend: Lower rates for weekend daytime
- BD_Mobile_OffPeak_Weekend: Lowest rates for weekend nighttime
By combining multiple Work Calendars and Package Period Rate configurations, you can implement this level of granular pricing control within VOS3000.
Using VOS3000 System Parameters to Support Time-Based Routing
Several VOS3000 system parameters affect how time-based routing behaves. Understanding these parameters helps you fine-tune the routing behavior:
- SERVER_WORK_CALENDAR_ENABLED: This system parameter must be enabled for Work Calendar functionality to work. If this parameter is disabled, all time-based routing features are inactive regardless of your calendar configuration.
- SERVER_PERIOD_RATE_ENABLED: This parameter must be enabled for Package Period Rate functionality to work. Without it, rate tables will not switch based on time periods.
Check these parameters in System Management > System Parameter (VOS3000 Manual Section 4.3) to ensure they are set correctly. If time-based routing is not working after configuration, these system parameters are the first thing to check.
| ⚙️ Parameter | 📝 Function | ✅ Required Value | ⚠️ If Disabled |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVER_WORK_CALENDAR_ENABLED | Enables Work Calendar feature | 1 (Enabled) | All calendar-based routing disabled |
| SERVER_PERIOD_RATE_ENABLED | Enables Package Period Rate switching | 1 (Enabled) | Rate tables never switch by time |
Complete VOS3000 Time-Based Routing Configuration Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps for a fully functional VOS3000 time-based routing setup. Follow each step in order and verify the result before proceeding to the next step.
- Create Work Calendar — Define calendar name, working days, working hours, and holidays in System Management > Work Calendar
- Create Daytime Rate Table — Build a complete rate table with peak-hour rates for all prefixes in Rate Management > Rate Table Management
- Create Nighttime Rate Table — Build a matching rate table with off-peak rates for the same prefixes
- Create Package Period Rate — Bind the calendar and both rate tables in Rate Management > Package Period Rate Management
- Enable System Parameters — Verify SERVER_WORK_CALENDAR_ENABLED and SERVER_PERIOD_RATE_ENABLED are set to 1
- Bind Calendar to Accounts — Assign the Work Calendar to customer and vendor accounts that should use time-based routing
- Assign Period Rate to Rate Groups — Link the Package Period Rate to the appropriate rate groups
- Test Rate Switching — Make test calls during working and non-working hours and verify CDR rates
- Test Boundary Conditions — Verify rate switching happens at the exact configured time boundaries
- Set Up Monitoring — Establish regular CDR review and margin analysis procedures
- Document Configuration — Record all calendar and period rate settings for future reference
- Schedule Annual Holiday Updates — Set reminders to update holiday dates each year
| 🔢 Step | 📋 Task | 📍 Navigation Path | ✅ Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create Work Calendar | System Management > Work Calendar | ☐ |
| 2 | Create Daytime Rate Table | Rate Management > Rate Table Management | ☐ |
| 3 | Create Nighttime Rate Table | Rate Management > Rate Table Management | ☐ |
| 4 | Create Package Period Rate | Rate Management > Package Period Rate Management | ☐ |
| 5 | Enable System Parameters | System Management > System Parameter | ☐ |
| 6 | Bind Calendar to Accounts | Operation Management > Account Operation | ☐ |
| 7 | Assign Period Rate to Rate Groups | Rate Management > Rate Group Management | ☐ |
| 8 | Test Rate Switching | Make test calls + CDR verification | ☐ |
🔗 Related Resources
- 📖 VOS3000 Prefix Settings: Rate, Area, Client and Vendor Configuration
- 📖 VOS3000 LCR Routing: Complete Least Cost Routing Configuration Guide
- 📖 VOS3000 Billing System: Complete Rate and Billing Configuration
- 📥 VOS3000 Downloads — Manual and Software
Frequently Asked Questions About VOS3000 Time-Based Routing
❓ What is VOS3000 time-based routing and how does it work?
VOS3000 time-based routing is a feature that automatically switches rate tables and routing behavior based on the time of day, day of the week, and calendar dates. It works through two integrated components: the Work Calendar (which defines working hours, non-working hours, and holidays) and the Package Period Rate (which binds different rate tables to each time period). When the current time falls within working hours as defined by the calendar, VOS3000 applies the working hours rate table. When it falls outside working hours, the non-working hours rate table is applied automatically.
❓ How is VOS3000 time-based routing different from standard LCR routing?
Standard LCR routing uses static gateway priorities and rate tables that do not change based on time. VOS3000 time-based routing adds a time dimension, allowing different rate tables and potentially different routing priorities during different time periods. With LCR alone, the cheapest gateway for a destination is always used. With time-based routing, a different gateway may be cheapest at different times of day, and VOS3000 automatically adapts. The combination of LCR and time-based routing provides the most profitable routing strategy possible.
❓ Can I use multiple Work Calendars for different time zones in VOS3000 time-based routing?
Yes. You can create multiple Work Calendars in VOS3000, each aligned to a different time zone’s peak and off-peak hours. Each calendar is then assigned to the appropriate accounts or rate groups based on the destinations they serve. This is the recommended approach for operators routing traffic to multiple countries across different time zones, as it ensures that rate switching happens at the correct local time for each destination.
❓ Do I need to manually switch rate tables when using VOS3000 time-based routing?
No. The entire purpose of VOS3000 time-based routing is to automate rate table switching. Once you configure the Work Calendar and Package Period Rate correctly, VOS3000 automatically switches between the working hours and non-working hours rate tables at the boundaries defined in the calendar. No manual intervention is required, which eliminates the risk of forgetting to switch rates and the operational overhead of manual changes.
❓ What happens if I do not bind a Work Calendar to an account?
If an account does not have a Work Calendar assigned, VOS3000 time-based routing will not apply to that account. The account will use its default rate table at all times, regardless of the time of day or day of the week. This means no rate switching occurs, and the account effectively operates with static LCR routing only. To enable time-based routing for an account, you must both create the Package Period Rate configuration and bind the appropriate calendar and period rate to the account.
❓ How do I verify that VOS3000 time-based routing is switching rates correctly?
The most reliable verification method is to make test calls during both working and non-working hours, then check the CDR records for each call. The CDR will show which rate was applied to the call. If the working hours rate was applied during the day and the non-working hours rate was applied at night, your configuration is working correctly. Also test at the exact boundary times (for example, at 17:59 and 18:01) to confirm the switch happens at the right moment.
❓ Can VOS3000 time-based routing handle different rates for weekends and holidays?
Yes. The Work Calendar distinguishes between working days and non-working days (which include weekends and designated holidays). Non-working days use the non-working hours rate table for the entire day, not just during nighttime. This means weekends and holidays automatically receive the lower off-peak rates all day long, which aligns with how most carriers price their services. You can add specific holiday dates to the calendar each year to ensure correct holiday rate application.
❓ What system parameters must be enabled for VOS3000 time-based routing to work?
Two system parameters must be enabled: SERVER_WORK_CALENDAR_ENABLED (must be set to 1) enables the Work Calendar feature, and SERVER_PERIOD_RATE_ENABLED (must be set to 1) enables the Package Period Rate switching feature. If either of these parameters is disabled, the corresponding time-based routing functionality will not work, regardless of your calendar and period rate configuration. Verify these parameters in System Management > System Parameter (VOS3000 Manual Section 4.3).
Configure VOS3000 Time-Based Routing with Expert Help
Setting up VOS3000 time-based routing correctly can transform your VoIP business from one that pays static peak rates around the clock to one that dynamically optimizes costs based on time. The financial impact of proper time-based routing configuration is significant — many operators report 15-30% reduction in termination costs after implementing day/night rate switching and weekend routing. However, the configuration requires careful attention to detail, from matching working hours to vendor definitions to ensuring complete prefix coverage in both rate tables.
Our VOS3000 specialists have helped operators worldwide implement and optimize time-based routing configurations. Whether you need help with initial Work Calendar setup, Package Period Rate configuration, advanced multi-timezone routing strategies, or troubleshooting an existing configuration that is not switching rates correctly, we are here to help.
📱 Contact us on WhatsApp: +8801911119966
We offer complete VOS3000 time-based routing configuration services, including Work Calendar creation, rate table design, period rate binding, account integration, testing, and documentation. Let us help you unlock the full profit potential of time-based routing in your VOS3000 operation.
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