Conference Bridge

Conference Bridge Overview

A Conference Bridge (also called a conference room) allows multiple inbound callers to share a single phone line. All callers can hear and speak to each other (if allowed by the moderator).

• You must create a Conference Bridge in order to have a conference call.
• A bridge consists of a Conference Number (Name), Password, Moderator settings, and a system-generated ID.
• Multiple bridges can be created per Customer Account (Hosted PBX).

A Conference Hub is essentially a system container that holds all the bridges you create.

• You don’t explicitly create a Conference Hub; it exists by default as soon as you create a Conference Bridge.
• There is only one Conference Hub per Hosted PBX, and all Conference Bridges are automatically placed into it.

An Attendee is a user who is participating in (or joining) a conference call.

• The number of outside Attendees is restricted by available call paths.
• The number of internal Attendees is unlimited because extensions do not use call paths.

A Moderator is essentially an Attendee with additional privileges.

• By default, each Conference Bridge includes a Moderator.
• Moderators can start/end calls and mute/unmute Attendees globally.

NOTE: Individual Attendee controls and Caller ID info are available via the Dashboard.

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Creating a New Conference Bridge

1. Click the Services tab in the Main Menu.

2. Click Conference Bridge in the left side menu.

   

3. Click New Conference Room. The Conference Bridge detail screen appears.

4. Enter a Conference Number.

   • Participants will dial this number (followed by #) to join the call.
   • Do not confuse it with an Extension Number—it’s a separate entity.
   • Choose any unused number (e.g. 225, 8, 1564, etc.).
   • This number appears in the Name column on the Conference Bridges list screen.
   

5. Enter an Attendee Password.

   • Numeric only, min. 4 digits, adjacent digits must differ (e.g. 232, 4353, 6171).
   • Cannot match the Conference Number.

NOTE: Mobile app attendees have passwords auto-entered; they only enter the Conference Number.

Moderator Settings

By default, the following are enabled:

• Enable Moderator Controls

  • Calls cannot begin until the Moderator joins; Attendees can dial in but remain muted until then.
  • Enter a Moderator Password (follows the same rules as the Attendee Password).

• Disable Moderator Controls

  • Attendees join and speak freely, no mute capability.

• End Conference When the Moderator Leaves

  • If selected, all Attendees are disconnected when the Moderator hangs up.

  • Deselect to allow Attendees to continue without the Moderator.

    

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Audio Settings

NOTE: Attendee muting options require Moderator Controls to be enabled.

6. Adjust the default Attendee muting option (applies at call start).
7. Enable or disable additional audio options:

NOTE: These cannot be changed during a call—only by editing the bridge.

• Enable Music On Hold – Plays until the Moderator joins.
• Play Enter/Exit Sounds – Tone when participants join/leave.
• Announce Attendee Count – Greets callers with current Attendee count.

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User Group Assignments

Assign a Group if you want users to manage the bridge in the Dashboard:

• Assigned members can view availability, mute/unmute/disconnect Attendees, and see Caller ID and participation time.

NOTE: Group members do not need to join the call to manage it.

9. Under User Group Assignments, select a group from Available and click Add.

   • To remove, select from Assigned and click Remove.

10. Click Add Conference Bridge to save.

ALERT: The bridge isn’t usable until you route a DID, Extension, or Attendant to it. See Conference Call Routing below.

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Editing a Conference Bridge

1. Click Services > Conference Bridge.

2. Click the Conference ID link for the bridge you wish to edit.

   

3. Update fields as needed (see Creating a New Conference Bridge).

4. Click Update to save.

ALERT: Notify users if you change the Conference Number or any passwords.

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Searching for a Conference Bridge

Search only applies to the Name (Conference Number) column.

1. On the Conference Bridges list screen, enter part or all of a Conference Number in the Search box.
2. Click Search.
3. Click × to clear the search.

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Deleting a Conference Bridge

1. On the list screen, click the Delete icon for the bridge.

   

2. Click Delete in the confirmation dialog.

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Conference Call Routing

You must route a DID, Extension, or Attendant to use a bridge.

Routing to a Conference Hub (Recommended)

• Attendees and Moderators dial a resource routed to the Hub, then enter the Conference Number & Password.

NOTE: Moderators and Attendees use different login sequences.

• Only this method allows Moderator access.
• Ensures uniform access for all participants.

Routing Directly to a Conference Number

• Attendees dial a resource routed to the Number and enter only the Password.

WARNING: Moderators cannot access via this method.

Internal vs. External Attendees

• External: Route a DID or Auto Attendant to the Hub. Limited by call paths.
• Internal: Route an Extension to the Hub. Unlimited Attendees.

Tip: Use a Cloud Extension—no device needed, no extra Extension cost.

NOTE: Routing is configured on the routed resource itself, not in the Bridge detail.

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Using a Conference Bridge

No special user accounts are needed to join:

• Permissions: Only Dashboard managers need Account Manager access.
• Attendees & Moderators: Dial the routed number, enter Conference Number + #, then password + #.

Attendee Instructions

1. Dial the Conference Hub number.
2. Enter the Conference Number + #.
3. Enter the Attendee Password + #.

Mobile users enter only the Conference Number (password auto-entered).

Moderator Instructions

1. Dial the Conference Hub number.
2. Enter the Conference Number + *.
3. Enter the Moderator Password + *.

Mobile users enter only the Conference Number.

• Press 5 to mute all Attendees.

• Press 6 to unmute all Attendees.

• Hang up to end:

  • If End When Moderator Leaves is enabled, all disconnect.
  • Otherwise, Attendees may stay on.

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Dashboard Widget Controls

Available only to assigned Group members (no need to join the call).

Bridge Availability

Shows Conference Number, Status, and Attendee Count.

Viewing Attendee Info

• Click the Attendee Count for an active bridge.

  

Mute & Disconnect

• Click the microphone icon to mute/unmute an Attendee.
• Click the phone icon to disconnect an Attendee.