Definition
BYON (Bring Your Own Number)
The ability to connect an existing phone number to an AI voice agent via SIP trunking.
BYON (Bring Your Own Number) is the ability to connect a phone number you already own to an AI voice agent platform, instead of being forced to adopt a new provider-issued number. It preserves the number your customers already know, your printed marketing, and your local presence.
How BYON works
BYON is delivered over SIP trunking. There are two common mechanisms:
- SIP forwarding: your existing carrier forwards inbound calls to the platform's SIP endpoint. Fastest to set up; you keep your carrier relationship.
- Number porting: you transfer the number's ownership to the platform's carrier. More involved (regulated, can take days) but consolidates billing and control.
Why it matters
- No disruption — customers keep dialing the same number.
- Local and toll-free numbers retain their established caller-ID reputation.
- Outbound caller ID stays consistent, which protects answer rates and STIR/SHAKEN attestation.
BYON is distinct from "bring your own keys/models," which refers to supplying your own AI provider credentials rather than your own phone number.