VoIP monitoring that checks what callers actually hear
Most VoIP monitoring tools watch your network or your SIP server. Those can look healthy while a forwarding rule, ring group, or after-hours schedule sends callers nowhere. Line Canary calls your VoIP number from outside, like a customer, and alerts you when the call doesn’t go where it should.
Problems a scheduled call catches
The server is up, the call still fails
A SIP check can pass while a routing rule downstream is broken. Only a real call shows that option 2 now rings an extension nobody answers.
Internet trouble becomes phone trouble
When a business line runs over the internet, a router change or ISP problem can leave callers hearing silence or a carrier error while the office sees nothing wrong.
Provider and admin changes
Switching VoIP providers, porting a number, or removing a user from a ring group are the moments routing is most likely to break.
An example check
Script
- Answer
- Listen 6s
- 2
- Listen 10s
- Hang up
What should happen
The greeting names the firm. Pressing 2 rings the front desk or offers a voicemail box that accepts messages.
What Line Canary heard
Thank you for calling. For tax questions, press 1. For the front desk, press 2. … The person you are trying to reach is not available. Goodbye.
Failingpressing 2 hung up after an unavailable message instead of reaching the front desk or voicemail.
Test calls versus network monitoring
Network and protocol tools measure jitter, packet loss, and whether a SIP server responds. They are the right tools for diagnosing choppy audio. Line Canary answers a different question: does a call to your number reach the right place right now? Many teams use both. See how Line Canary compares with Obkio and Dotcom-Monitor.
Works with any VoIP provider
Because Line Canary calls your number over the public phone network, it needs no credentials, agents, or access to your VoIP system. It works the same whether your line is hosted by a UCaaS provider, runs on your own PBX, or forwards to an AI receptionist.
- Confirms the call connects instead of returning busy, unanswered, or an intercept message
- Follows your menu with key presses or spoken phrases
- Records and transcribes the call, then checks it against a plain-language description
- Texts or emails you after the number of failed calls in a row you choose
Questions
- Does Line Canary measure VoIP call quality?
- No. It doesn’t measure jitter, packet loss, or MOS scores. It checks whether calls connect and route correctly. For call quality, use a network monitoring tool alongside it.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. Line Canary calls your number from outside, so there is nothing to install on your network or phone system.
- Which VoIP numbers can I monitor?
- US and Canadian numbers that you own or have the owner’s permission to test, including local and toll-free numbers.
Related
- Phone line monitoringLine Canary calls your business phone number on a schedule, listens to what callers hear, and texts you when the line is down, busy, or routing to the wrong place.
- IVR testingAutomated IVR testing for your phone tree. Line Canary presses the keys a caller would, records each menu, and alerts you when an option routes to the wrong place.
- AI receptionist testingAI receptionists and AI phone answering services can break after a prompt, model, or integration change. Line Canary calls yours, asks a real question, and alerts you when the answer is wrong.
Find out what your callers hear
Map your phone menu for free, then watch one line daily on the free plan. No credit card needed.