question

Hi  Adlai Grutas, 

We realize this is confusing for many users.  I think, the easiest way to explain it, is that a digital line is not the same thing as a phone number, or a user.   

See:  DigitalLine Overview

A  Digital Line is RingCentral's virtual infrastructure assigned to your IP Phone or RingCentral Desktop App for placing outgoing calls. Unlike your Additional Numbers or Virtual Numbers which can only receive incoming calls, a Digital Line can place outbound calls while receiving incoming calls at the same time, just like a regular line. 

1. No
2. Explained above
3-7. We don't have access to see the breakdown on your billing. If the above does not answer the remaining questions, reply back here, and we'll have your account manager reach out to you. 

FYI: Users can be added without cost. See  How do I add/edit a user extension?

Mike 

Adlai, lots of options and configurations here and it could be different depending on the IP phone you have or if you will be just using a soft phone.  I think you need to talk to someone and run through the scenarios so that you are clear on what is available and how to leverage them.

Chuck
Certified RC Installer
chuck@yoritguy.com

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Outbound Call from Desktop App without Digital Line. Using the Mobile App I'm able to make an outbound call in VoIP mode without having a digital line assigned. Multiple extensions using the Mobile App can make outbound calls in the scenario. And since it's "VoIP", that's why RingCentral allows the outbound call to take place.

Using the Desktop App was explained to me as requiring a Digital Line for outbound calls. The Account Manager told me it's due to 'VoIP calling through the Mobile App, that's why it's allowed' when technically the Desktop App ONLY uses VoIP for calls. 

Why is it limited for outbound calls on the Desktop App? Requiring to buy digital lines is seemingly a tactic for getting additional digital line sales. 

I don't really follow it either, and I'm not any dumber or any less intelligent than anyone else here.

I think the problem is that Ring Central should hire a good technical writer to write these articles and instructions. The written material is not technically well-written. It's more like it's written by an amateur who doesn't have the training and skill to communicate a thought in a literal, clear, understandable, technical way so that it can be read literally and clearly understood.

For example, in the first paragraph of the article, what exactly is meant by, "a Digital Line can place outbound calls while receiving incoming calls at the same time, just like a regular line"? What is meant by, "at the same time"? Is it meant literally as "at the same time," as in simultaneously, like both receiving one call and making another call simultaneously, at the very same time? Or is it meant more generally and loosely as to be able to both make calls and receive calls? What is meant by "a regular line"?

Then in the second paragraph it says, "The optional Digital Line VoIP Phone Service allows you to instantly add digital phone lines anywhere you have high-speed Internet access." What is meant by "optional Digital Line VoIP Phone Service"? Does "optional" mean a option that may be added to an existing Digital Line? Is "Digital Line VoIP Phone Service" different from a Digital Line? Or is that just a fluffed-up way of saying "Digital Line"?

Like Adlai, I'm curious about the "Additional Local Number" for $4.99. Is that adding a local telephone number to a single Digital Line so that a single Digital Line has more than one local number? For example, is it like a customer has a single Digital Line, and with it he is using an RC VOIP desk phone, and his desk phone can take additional numbers, like a landline phone that can take two numbers (Line 1 and Line 2), and so he adds a second local number to his RC account, and he can both make and receive calls for either number using that one desk phone thru his single Digital Line?

UPDATE! MUST READ 

Starting June 2017 You will be charged for all those "virtual users" you made if they don't have digital line/number assigned to them. So if you have 10 users and are only charged for 5 right now. Your bill will double! I found this email notice by accident in my junk email. This charge will even apply to extensions where it routes the call to cell phone numbers. It doesn't charge if it is under 10 calls.
And this is for desktop users also. Confusing I know.