Ring Groups allow teams to share responsibility for answering calls. When someone calls a Ring Group’s phone number or extension, the net2phone system distributes the call to all group members according to rules set by an administrator. Even if you are not managing Ring Groups yourself, understanding how they work helps you track your responsibilities and know what to expect when calls are routed to you.
What is a ring group?
A ring group is a collection of users linked to the same phone number or extension. When a call is routed to that group:
- Everyone in the group may ring at once, or
- Calls may ring team members one by one, or
- Calls may be shared evenly based on the group’s configuration.
Only Administrators can manage how each Ring Group is set up. You can view your Ring Group call status by opening Profile Settings and selecting the Call Options tab.
Admin users can refer to: Manage Ring Groups.
Leverage ring groups
Your organize may utilize Ring Groups to help teams:
- Share the call load fairly.
- Respond quickly to incoming calls.
- Reduce wait times and missed calls.
- Ensure callers reach the right person or team.
- Maintain consistent service even during busy periods.
Ring Groups are one of the core tools that keep company calls flowing smoothly.
How ring groups handle incoming calls
Ring Groups work together with Welcome Menus, Schedules, and Call Forwarding routing rules created by your administrator. Depending on the setup:
- Calls may come directly to a Ring Group.
- Callers may first hear a menu (for example, “Press 1 for Sales…”).
- If a call is not answered, it may be forwarded to another destination such as: voicemail, another Ring Group, a Call Queue, or a different welcome menu.
- After business hours, calls may follow a different path based on schedules.
These options help ensure callers reach the right team quickly, even during busy periods.
Ring group call distribution methods
Ring Groups can use different ringing styles. Common patterns include:
Simultaneous Ring
All members’ devices ring at the same time. Any available member can answer.
Sequential Ring
Devices ring in a fixed order until someone picks up.
Round Robin
Calls are shared evenly across the group to balance workload.
Your experience may vary depending on your devices, your status, and the group’s configuration.
What happens if no one answers?
If a call to a Ring Group goes unanswered, it may:
- Go to the group’s voicemail.
- Be forwarded to another destination (such as another Ring Group, a Call Queue, or a menu).
- Follow a schedule-based “after-hours” path.
These behaviours help prevent callers from getting stuck in a loop and make sure every call reaches a valid destination.
View your ring group and call recording status
You can quickly check your ring group status from your Profile Settings, in the Call Options page.
