Overview
Tariffs control how usage is rated. They define rates for inbound, outbound, mobile, and other charge classes used during call rating. Combined with discount plans and features, tariffs let you build bundled packages with inclusive minutes and overage rates.
For full reference pages, see:
Worked Example: Inclusive Minutes Bundle
This example sets up a common package: 9,000 inbound minutes for £50/month with 1p per minute overage on an 0344 number, backdated to 12 February 2026.
Three pieces work together:
- A tariff sets the overage rate (what calls cost when the bundle runs out)
- A discount plan defines the bundle allowance (how many minutes are free)
- A feature on the number ties them together and sets the monthly charge
Step 1: Tariff (the overage rate)
Check the tariff assigned to the number. The inbound rate for the relevant call type should be 1p per minute — enter 1 in the rate field, as tariff rates are in pence per minute. If no suitable tariff exists, create or update one.
See Call Tariffs for how to set up tariff rates.
Step 2: Discount Plan (the bundle allowance)
Create a discount plan with these settings:
- Discount Plan Name: e.g. “0344 Inbound Bundle (per minute)”
- Discounted Minutes: 1 (the feature multiplier scales this up)
- Standard Call Type Groups: Select the inbound call type groups that cover 0344 traffic, for all time periods (Daytime, Evening, Weekend)
- Discount Matching A Leg: Yes (inbound numbers generate two call legs; this makes sure the bundle covers the full cost)
Leave the discount percentage and per-call/per-minute fields blank so that calls within the allowance are fully free.
See Discount Plans for full field details.
Step 3: Feature on the number (the monthly charge and multiplier)
Add a feature to the 0344 number with these settings:
- Recurring Charge: £50
- Recurring Charge Interval: Monthly (calendar-aligned, in advance or as required)
- Discount Plan: Select the plan created in Step 2
- Discount Plan Multiplier: 9000 (this gives 9,000 free minutes: 1 discounted minute × 9,000)
- Start Date: 12/02/2026 (the backdate)
Important: Use the Discount Plan Multiplier field, not the Feature Count. Feature Count multiplies both the £50 charge and the allowance. With Feature Count of 9000, the customer would be charged £450,000/month. The Discount Plan Multiplier only scales the allowance.
See Features for full field details.
What happens at billing time
- The platform rates all calls on the 0344 number using the tariff (1p/min)
- The discount plan checks each qualifying call against the 9,000-minute allowance
- Calls within the allowance are discounted to £0
- Once 9,000 minutes are used, remaining calls are charged at the 1p/min tariff rate
- The £50 recurring charge is added as a separate service charge
On the invoice
The customer sees:
- A service charge of £50 (or pro-rated for the first partial period)
- Any overage call charges beyond the 9,000 minutes
- Calls within the bundle show as £0 on call detail reports
Backdating this bundle
Because the Start Date is 12 February 2026, the platform creates a pro-rated charge for the partial period from 12 February to the end of that billing period. The discount allowance also starts from that date.
If the February invoice has already been issued, you need to move the backdated charges onto it. See Backdating and Mid-Period Features for the full process.
Common Pricing Patterns
Fixed monthly charge (no bundle)
Add a feature with a recurring charge only. No discount plan needed. All calls are charged at the tariff rate, and the monthly charge covers the service itself.
Percentage discount
Create a discount plan with a Discount Percent (e.g. 20%) and no allowance limits. Attach it to a feature. All qualifying calls are discounted by that percentage with no cap.
Capped bundle (minutes or value)
Create a discount plan with a Discounted Minutes limit and optionally a Cash Discount limit. The allowance stops when either limit is reached. For example, “500 minutes or £50 of free calls, whichever comes first”.
Adding a Bundle to an Existing Number
If a number is already live and billing, you can add an inclusive minutes bundle at any time. The process is the same as the worked example above, but you skip the number setup.
Steps:
- Find a suitable discount plan — check the discount plan list for an existing plan that covers the right call types. If none exists, create a new one
- Check the tariff — view the number and confirm its tariff has the correct overage rate for the call types in the plan
- Add a feature to the number — go to the number, click Add > Feature, and set:
- Recurring Charge: the monthly bundle price
- Recurring Charge Interval: monthly (or as required)
- Discount Plan: select the plan
- Discount Plan Multiplier: the number of free minutes (or SMS, calls, etc.)
- Start Date: the date the bundle should begin (can be a past date to backdate)
- Save the feature
- Verify after billing — check the Discount Pool Usage tab on the discount plan list to confirm the allowance is being drawn correctly
If the start date is mid-period, the first recurring charge is pro-rated automatically.
Validation Checklist
Before going live with a new tariff or bundle:
- Effective dates are correct
- Rating bands match provider documentation
- Test calls produce expected prices
- VAT and rounding behaviour is confirmed
- Discount plan call type groups cover the right call types for all time periods
- Discount Matching A Leg is set correctly for inbound numbers
- The Discount Plan Multiplier (not Feature Count) is used for bundle sizing