Transfer types
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Transfer (SIP Refer) | AI connects the caller to the destination, then drops off immediately | Simple escalations, fast handoff |
| Warm Transfer (SIP Invite) | AI stays on the line during the handoff until the human agent answers | Complex issues, continuity matters |
| Attended Warm Transfer | AI bridges both parties, briefs the human agent with context, then steps back | VIP callers, context-critical handoffs |
Attended warm transfer
Attended Warm Transfer is the most thorough handoff mode VoiceInfra offers. When a transfer is triggered, your AI agent stays connected to both the caller and the human agent simultaneously — neither party is left in silence. The AI uses your configured context instructions to verbally brief the human agent on what the caller needs, what has already been discussed, and any important details, before quietly stepping back once the handoff is complete. If the transfer target is unavailable or doesn’t answer, the AI plays the decline message you configure, so callers always receive a professional response rather than an awkward silence or an unexpected busy signal.Attended Warm Transfer is the recommended mode for VIP callers, high-value accounts, or any situation where a human agent needs context before picking up the conversation.
Setting up call transfers
Select a transfer type
Choose Cold Transfer (SIP Refer), Warm Transfer (SIP Invite), or Attended Warm Transfer based on your use case. You can configure multiple transfer destinations each using the same type.
Add destinations
Add one or more transfer destinations. Each destination accepts a phone number, SIP URI, or internal extension. Give each destination a descriptive label (for example, “Billing Team” or “Tier-2 Support”) so your agent can reference it correctly.
Set a transfer message
Write the message your AI agent will say to the caller immediately before initiating the transfer — for example, “Let me connect you with one of our specialists now.” This keeps the caller informed and reduces perceived wait time.
Add context instructions (Attended Warm only)
If you selected Attended Warm Transfer, add context instructions — the script your AI agent will use to brief the human agent. Include the caller’s name, the issue category, any key details already gathered, and anything the human needs to know before taking over.
Configure a decline message
Set the decline message your agent will play if the transfer target is unavailable. Offer alternatives where possible — for example, “I’m sorry, our billing team is unavailable right now. I can schedule a callback or take a message.”
Transfer destinations
VoiceInfra supports three destination formats, and you can mix them freely within the same agent:Phone numbers (PSTN)
Standard E.164 format numbers such as
+14155550100. Routes over the public telephone network to any mobile or landline.SIP URIs
Full SIP addresses such as
sip:agent@company.com. Routes directly over SIP to a softphone, PBX extension, or SIP trunk endpoint.PBX extensions
Internal extension numbers such as
500. Routes within your PBX without consuming external trunk capacity.Keypad routing (AI-driven IVR)
Keypad routing lets callers press digit codes mid-conversation to self-route to specific destinations — without you needing to rebuild a traditional IVR tree. Your AI agent listens for the keypress, maps it to a destination, and transfers the call instantly. Configure a mapping of 1–5 digit codes to destinations in the Keypad Routing section of your agent:| Key | Destination |
|---|---|
1 | Billing team |
2 | Technical support |
3 | VIP queue |
Bulk setup via CSV
If you have many transfer destinations or complex routing rules, use the CSV import feature to configure everything at once:- Click Download Template to get a pre-formatted CSV with the correct column structure.
- Fill in destination names, phone numbers or SIP URIs, transfer messages, and keypad codes.
- Upload the completed file to populate all your routing rules in a single step.
Pricing
| Action | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard call transfer | $0.025 per transfer |
Transfer costs are charged per transfer event, not per minute. Standard per-minute call rates still apply for the duration of the transferred call.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Attended Warm Transfer?
When should I use Attended Warm Transfer?
Use Attended Warm Transfer for VIP callers, high-value accounts, or complex issues where the human agent needs context before picking up. The AI’s verbal briefing prevents the caller from having to repeat themselves, which significantly improves satisfaction for sensitive or high-stakes conversations.
What happens if the transfer target is unavailable?
What happens if the transfer target is unavailable?
Can I control what Caller ID the transfer shows?
Can I control what Caller ID the transfer shows?
Yes, but only for Warm Transfers. You can choose to pass through the caller’s original number or substitute a custom number. Cold Transfers use the default system Caller ID.
Is keypad routing the same as IVR?
Is keypad routing the same as IVR?
They serve a similar purpose but work differently. Traditional IVR presents a rigid menu at the start of a call. Keypad routing in VoiceInfra is AI-driven and mid-conversation — callers can press a code at any point while speaking naturally, and the agent responds contextually before routing them. There’s no menu tree to maintain.
What destination formats does VoiceInfra support?
What destination formats does VoiceInfra support?
You can add standard phone numbers in E.164 format (
+14155550100), full SIP URIs (sip:user@domain.com), or plain internal extension numbers. All three formats work seamlessly in the same agent configuration.Does call transfer work with my existing PBX?
Does call transfer work with my existing PBX?
Yes. VoiceInfra uses standard SIP Refer (cold) and SIP Invite (warm/attended) protocols, making it compatible with virtually any PBX system, SIP trunk, or cloud telephony provider — including Cisco, Avaya, 3CX, Asterisk, and Yeastar.