In fax transmission, Caller ID is the number displayed to the recipient before they even open the incoming fax, distinct from what's printed inside it.
- Caller ID displays the calling party's phone number, and sometimes a name via CNAM, before the call or fax is answered.
- Caller ID is built from ANI data captured at the network level, not from something the calling device controls on its own.
- Fax.Plus lets Business and Enterprise account owners set a default Caller ID number for team members who don't have a dedicated fax number assigned.
What Is Caller ID (in Fax Transmission)?
In fax transmission, Caller ID is the phone number, and sometimes a name, that the receiving fax line or fax service sees before the transmission is answered. It's built from ANI data captured at the network level, then passed along as part of call setup, the same mechanism used for a regular phone call.
Caller ID Name vs. Caller ID Number
Caller ID technically refers only to the number. The name that sometimes accompanies it comes from a separate lookup called CNAM (Calling Name), which isn't available or accurate on every network. A missing or generic name next to a familiar number is a CNAM gap, not a Caller ID failure.
Caller ID on Fax.Plus
Fax.Plus assigns a fax number as the default Caller ID for outgoing faxes. On Business and Enterprise plans, the account owner can set which number appears for team members who haven't been assigned their own dedicated fax number, from the account's Faxing settings. This is different from the identifying information printed inside the fax itself, which is covered under Station ID.
A Common Case: Setting a Team-Wide Fax Number
A small software company in Japan runs its whole team through Fax.Plus without assigning a dedicated fax number to every employee. Whoever sends a signed contract by fax, the recipient sees the same company Caller ID every time, since the account owner set one shared number as the default in the account's Faxing settings.
FAQ
Can I choose which number appears as my Caller ID?
Yes. On Fax.Plus Business and Enterprise plans, the account owner can set a default Caller ID from the account's Faxing settings. It's used for any team member who hasn't been assigned their own dedicated fax number.
Is Caller ID the same as CNAM?
Not exactly. Caller ID refers only to the phone number that displays before a call or fax connects. The name that sometimes appears alongside it comes from a separate lookup called CNAM, which is not available or accurate on every network.
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