What is Bridged Call Appearance (BCA)?

Bridged Call Appearance (BCA) is a VoIP feature that allows multiple devices or users to share the same phone number or extension. With BCA, teams can handle calls on multiple phones or devices using a single number.

BCA enables various devices, such as desk phones, mobile phones, or computers, to operate as if using the same phone line. A call can ring on all the devices connected to that line when a call comes in.

Anyone using one of the connected devices can answer the call, place it on hold, or transfer it to another team member. BCA also lets users make outgoing calls from the shared number.

Executive and Assistant:

A busy executive and their assistant can share the same phone number using bridged call appearance. The assistant can answer calls on behalf of the executive, transfer important calls, or manage the executive’s call flow to ensure nothing is missed.
 

Customer Service Teams:

BCA ensures multiple agents can handle incoming customer calls using a shared number in a call center. If one agent is busy, another can answer the call, improving response times and customer satisfaction.
 

Remote Teams:

BCA is also ideal for remote teams, allowing employees to manage calls from different locations while maintaining the same business number. Whether working from home or traveling, team members can ensure no call goes unanswered.

Bridged call appearance enables multiple devices to share the same phone line, allowing your team to handle calls seamlessly and improve communication and operational efficiency. Below are a few key benefits of BCA.
 

• Allows multiple users to manage calls on the same line, ensuring no call goes unanswered.
• Users can make and receive calls from any connected device, whether they are in the office or working remotely.
• Facilitates better coordination among team members, allowing them to handle calls collectively.
• Reduces the need for additional phone lines, cutting down on costs while maintaining effective communication.
• Ensures that customer calls are handled promptly and professionally, improving overall customer satisfaction.

You can configur bridged call appearance and share the same phone line or extension on a VoIP system. Below are the basic steps to set up BCA:
 

1. Sign up with a VoIP service provider with the bridged call appearance feature.
2. Log into the admin dashboard of the VoIP app or browser.
3. Navigate to the settings for shared lines or call appearances.
4. Assign multiple devices to share the same phone number or extension.
5. Add the devices that will share the phone line.
6. Each device will be linked to the shared number.
7. Test if all devices can receive, make, and manage calls on the shared line.
8. Adjust additional settings, such as call routing preferences or permissions for specific users.

Many VoIP providers offer the bridged call appearance feature, allowing businesses to efficiently manage calls across multiple devices. You must choose the right VoIP provider to ensure your team can fully utilize this feature for better collaboration and call handling. Below are the top 5 VoIP providers that support BCA.

RingCentral offers bridged call appearance as part of a VoIP phone service. With RingCentral, users can set up BCA quickly and manage shared lines across multiple devices. It also integrates with various business tools, making it a great choice for companies seeking flexibility and scalability.
 

Nextiva supports BCA along with a host of other advanced features. It is particularly known for its user-friendly setup and support, making it easy for businesses to configure and manage shared lines. Nextiva’s mobile app also allows users to access BCA, providing flexibility for remote and on-the-go teams.
 

Vonage is ideal for businesses that need strong, flexible communication solutions. With Vonage, teams can easily share phone lines, ensuring that important calls are answered and managed efficiently, even across different devices and locations.
 

Mitel’s VoIP system includes bridged call appearance, designed to support businesses with large call volumes or multiple departments. Mitel’s BCA functionality allows users to manage calls smoothly and ensures that all team members can share access to important phone lines.
 

8x8 provides a robust BCA feature as part of its VoIP service. It enables seamless call management across multiple devices, making it an excellent option for companies that require flexibility and reliable call handling. 8x8 also offers great scalability, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
 

While Bridged Call Appearance (BCA) helps you manage shared lines, a virtual phone number is a better alternative for greater flexibility and control. Virtual numbers allow multiple users to share and manage calls from anywhere, without being tied to a physical location or specific devices.

With virtual phone numbers, you can handle calls and SMS from any device connected to the internet, whether you’re in the office, working remotely, or on the move. Unlike BCA, virtual phone numbers are not limited to just sharing lines—they also provide features like call forwarding, call recording, and call and voicemail transcription.

Calilio’s virtual phone numbers allowing businesses to manage calls, messages, and communication effortlessly from any device. Sign up today to experience a better way to manage your calls.

A bridged line appearance allows multiple devices to share the same phone line or extension, meaning several users can make, receive, hold, and transfer calls using the same number.

While both features allow multiple devices to share a phone line, bridged call appearance focuses on sharing call activity across devices, whereas shared call appearance typically deals with monitoring call status and line activity.

Many VoIP providers support bridged call appearance on both mobile devices and desktop phones, allowing you to manage calls from anywhere.

BCA is ideal for businesses of all sizes, including small businesses, as it allows teams to efficiently manage calls with shared phone numbers.

Sharing virtual phone numbers is a better alternative to bridge call appearance. It allows users to manage calls and messages from any device connected to the internet, without being tied to a specific line or location.