It’s hard to believe that you need a fax number in this day and age, yet, in some situations, it remains essential. Even with our current reliance on emails, instant messaging, and cloud storage, fax numbers still hold their ground in certain sectors.
Now, you may be asking yourself, “What is a fax number and how does it work?” Read on to find out why having one can still be important in today’s communication.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A FAX MACHINE?
With traditional fax machines, a fax number isn’t technically a thing in its own right. A fax number is simply a landline telephone number used for regular calls. By plugging the fax machine into that standard landline, you are using the phone number allocated to that landline as a unique fax number.
Many businesses would have two telephone numbers on two landlines. One landline would be for regular phone calls – the other would be a dedicated line as a fax number only. When a fax is sent to you, the machine’s fax tone answers the call, switching it from voice to fax.
WHAT DOES A FAX NUMBER LOOK LIKE?
A fax number is formatted similarly to a standard phone number, and it typically includes an area code followed by a local number. A typical fax number example in the United States might be (212) 555-1234.
Here’s what that number means:
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- Area code: (212) – This indicates the geographic region where the fax number is located (in this case, New York City).
- Local number: 555-1234 – This is the specific number assigned to the fax machine or service.
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Note: Fax numbers can vary in length and format depending on the country and region.
WHAT IS A FAX NUMBER USED FOR?
Now, you might be thinking, “Why would I need to use a fax number when I can just email?” And you’re right—email is super convenient. But there are still some great reasons to have a fax number. Here’s why:
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- Sending and Receiving Documents: A fax number lets you send important documents that you would rather not send via email. It also lets you receive documents directly, whether you’re at the office or working remotely. With fax apps like FaxBurner, you can manage your faxes from anywhere in the world.
- Business Communication: For businesses, faxing is quite useful. It’s ideal for documents that need signatures or have sensitive information. It helps with legal and compliance needs, making sure everything stays on track.
- Digital Integration: Don’t worry if you don’t have a physical fax machine. Services like FaxBurner let you handle faxes through email or web apps, so you can manage everything from anywhere.
- Global Use: Fax numbers also come in handy for international communication. They simplify the process of sending and receiving documents across borders, which can be a big help for global business.
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IS A FAX NUMBER THE SAME AS A PHONE NUMBER?
Although the numbers might look similar, a phone line uses a number that performs a different function from a fax number. A regular phone number is a local number that consists of country and area codes. For example, 1(205) where ‘1’ stands for a country code and ‘205’ for Alabama. In contrast, fax numbers do not necessarily need to have a geographic area code; e.g., 1 (855) has a country code (1) but does not refer to any specific location.
How Does a Fax Number Work?
When you send a fax, your fax machine or online service dials the recipient’s fax number. This number acts as the destination for your document.
The process begins with your machine scanning the document and converting it into a digital format. The modem inside your fax machine then changes this digital information into audio tones, which can travel through phone lines or the internet.
On the other end, the recipient’s fax machine or service receives these audio tones. It converts them back into the digital format and reconstructs the original document. Depending on their setup, the document can then be printed out or saved digitally, completing the process.
HOW TO GET A FAX NUMBER
Getting a fax number today is much easier than it used to be. Traditionally, you would need a dedicated phone line and a physical fax machine to have a fax number. However, with advancements in technology, there are now simpler and more convenient ways to obtain one.
One of the most straightforward methods is through online fax services like FaxBurner, which provides you with a fax number without the need for any hardware or additional phone lines. These services allow you to send and receive faxes digitally, making the process more efficient and accessible.
HOW TO GET AN ONLINE FAX NUMBER?
To receive your fax number, you don’t need to have a telephone line or a fax machine anymore. Wondering how? The answer is internet faxing – stay tuned to learn more about online faxing later in this blog post.
A stable internet connection and a smartphone are enough to send faxes. FaxBurner provides an online fax number for you as soon as you sign up for our application. You can choose an online fax number to be:
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- a temporary 24-hour number (under our free service) or
- a permanent, dedicated number (under our premium service).
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Internet faxing through the Fax Burner app is effortless, really, and begs the question of why anyone outside of doctors and lawyers would ever need to use a fax machine again. The next chapter will satisfy your curiosity.
INTERNET FAXING
In short, as an online fax provider, we do most of the work for you by using internet faxing to send and receive documents through our fax server. The whole Fax Burner process is simple:
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- The first step is to download our Fax Burner app (available for iOS and Android users) – or simply sign up for an account with our online service.
- Log in to the app or website anytime you need to send a fax.
- You scan a document directly from your handset, select it from the gallery/file location, and load it into the app. Alternatively, just select a file on your computer and upload it through the online service – there is no difference either way.
- Next, enter the recipient’s fax number into the app or website and send.
- You will soon receive a confirmation showing the result of the broadcast.
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FaxBurner is accessible through a mobile app and our official website. Choose which device you find faxing most convenient and proceed with it.
IF MANY COMPANIES HAVE A FAX NUMBER, FAX MACHINES MUST STILL BE A THING, RIGHT?
Right. But why, you might wonder? Why, in this digital age of instant internet communication, would anyone need a fax number for a machine that takes two minutes to spit out a bit of paper? Emailing, in comparison, seems to be a much faster option.
In reality, there are lots of reasons, believe it or not, why someone would require a fax transmission over alternative methods.
WHAT IS A FAX MACHINE USED FOR?
A traditional fax machine is used for sending and receiving exact replications of any document you wish to send to a third party.
Pre-internet, the only way to get documents to a third-party location would be by your own leg-work, courier, or post. In some parts of the world, maybe a donkey would have been deployed to transport documents in some way!
The fax machine (in its current form) came along in the sixties and revolutionized document sending, enabling instant broadcasting of contracts, agreements, hand-written directions, letters, announcements, newsletters, etc. Given that you and the recipient had a fax machine with a fax number, documents could be fired out whenever needed, quickly, and easily.
HONESTLY, PEOPLE… FAX SERVICES AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE
You might have presumed fax is an antiquated technology, consigned to the doldrums as an old-fashioned communication system that is no longer needed. Fax is so nineties, you might think; lost to a period in time belonging to CD players, polaroid photographs, and Vanilla Ice.
As internet-based technologies began to creep into modern communications, the humble fax machine was almost viewed as suffering from a terminal illness in some way. But still, clutching onto an IV drip, it soldered on. Not long now, people would think. I give fax until the end of this year, and it will be gone, they would say.
PLUCKY MAINSTAY
But the fax hasn’t gone anywhere and is probably here to stay for at least another decade or two, especially in its digitalized form. More than that, however, the fax machine is still the default method of communication for many businesses and industries worldwide.
FINAL WORD
Given the vast contributions fax machines have made over the years, we are happy for them to stick around and hope it continues to be a feature of offices and businesses for a long time to come.
With FaxBurner, sending faxes online is fast, convenient, and affordable. Go ahead and sign up for our outstanding online fax service and get your fax number instantly!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About Fax Numbers
1. What Is My Fax Number?
Your fax number is like a phone number but for your fax machine or online fax service. It’s the number others dial when they want to send you a fax. If you’re not sure what your fax number is, check your fax machine’s settings or ask your fax service provider. They should be able to give you the details.
2. When Should Fax Be Used?
Despite the digital age, faxing still has its place. It’s particularly useful for sending documents that need to be signed or when dealing with industries that require faxed paperwork, like legal or medical fields. Faxing can also be handy for sending sensitive information securely.
3. Can a Fax Number Be Traced?
Yes, a fax number can be traced back to the fax machine or service provider. This is generally done through phone line tracking or the fax service’s internal records. However, tracing a fax number is not something that happens frequently unless there’s a specific need or legal reason to do so.
4. How Do I Find the Best Fax Number Service?
Choosing the right fax number service depends on your needs. Look for services that offer reliability and ease of use. Reviews and comparisons can help you find the best option that fits your specific requirements, whether you’re faxing occasionally or need a high-volume solution. For a top-performing service, consider FaxBurner, known for its excellent features and user-friendly interface.
