What's New in Webex for BroadWorks: Latest Features and Enhancements
Webex for BroadWorks is a new offering from Cisco that provides your BroadWorks calling customers with Webex collaboration features. Subscribers use a single Webex app for chatting, making calls, and hosting and joining meetings.
As a Webex for BroadWorks partner, we want to make sure you know about the latest administration features being released. Subscribe to this article to receive notifications for future releases.
This article is intended for Service Provider administrators managing Webex for BroadWorks on behalf of your customers. For end-user features, see What's New in Webex.
For technical documentation, see the Webex for BroadWorks Knowledge Portal.
December 2024
We will announce new features as they become available.
November 2024
Support for Personal Call Routing (Personal Assistant)—iPhone, iPad, and Android
We’ve added a new availability option of Away. You can set up personal call routing rules when you’re away from work and want to forward your calls or send them to voicemail. Callers hear a greeting with the reason you’re away and when you’ll be back.
October 2024
We've no features to list this month, check out the coming soon section for upcoming features, or look through earlier releases below for features.
September 2024
Make call forwarding indicator more obvious—Windows and Mac
Previously, you may not have known that call forwarding was set, which could result in missed calls. With this update, a call forwarding banner is displayed across all tabs in the app, allowing you to quickly edit the forwarding destination or turn off call forwarding.
August 2024
Updated: Highlight to call from anywhere—Windows and Mac
We’ve added a new keyboard shortcut that you can use when you highlight a number and you can then make the call in Webex App. Customize the shortcut at Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Highlight to call. Choose the keys used for the shortcut or to use this shortcut when Webex is minimized or in the background, select Global.
Flexible External Caller ID Selection
Provides users the flexibility to choose from configured callers IDs when making outbound calls. Supported on Webex Desktop and mobile apps.
Enable Voicemail in MS Teams connector
This integration allows users to retrieve their voicemails directly through Microsoft Teams, enhancing the overall user experience. If not configured users will get an error message. For more information, see: Enabling Voicemail for Microsoft Teams Integration.
July 2024
Distinctive ringing & priority alert for call queues
Distinctive ringing sets different ring tones for various call queues. This can be particularly useful in differentiating between calls from other queues.
Priority alert allows users to set up a unique ringtone based on predefined criteria set. This is helpful when a user wants to be quickly notified that a specific phone number is calling them.
Support for LLDP with Emergency (E911) location tracking—Windows and Mac
When your organization uses enhanced location information for emergency calls, the app can access and send network information for accurate locations to the E911 provider.
This depends on LLDP support and is supported with Redsky, Intrado, or 9Line.
June 2024
APIs
Partner Admin APIs for managing MS Teams configuration settings for presence sync and Hide Webex App at the organization level. Details can be found on developer.webex.com
Email Customization for Activation Emails
Allows partners to include their own 'reply to' link in the activation emails. This is only applicable where the partner is using Webex Authentication.
May 2024
Rewrite your message using our AI-powered writing assistant—Windows and Mac
Enhance and improve your communication and collaboration with your team, with AI-powered message rewrites. AI Assistant analyses your message and provides options to adapt the style, tone, and content quality, to help you communicate more effectively.
Space and thread summaries—Windows and Mac
When you're busy, or you've been away from the office, catching up with all your spaces and threads can be challenging. AI Assistant generates space and thread summaries to help you quickly catch up on missed messages and conversations in a space. Stay informed on decisions, and key points, and get up to date with the discussion
Translate messages—Windows and Mac
Break down communication barriers and promote more effective conversation with message translation. Select your preferred language and choose to either live translate all messages in a space or translate an individual message .
April 2024
Pro Pack Available
Pro Pack will be included with the Standard or Premium Package for newly provisioned customers. For a pro pack to be applied to the organization, at least one user in an organization must be provisioned with at least one Standard or Premium Package.
Webex Suite Meetings Platform
Webex is enhancing the meeting platform to the Webex Suite meeting platform. This platform improves and simplifies hybrid work across the entire Webex Suite, and incorporates AI-based experiences, with common architecture, administration, and integrations. The new platform converges the meeting experience across Webex applications and devices and delivers continuous collaboration before, during, and after the meeting. To check if you are on this new platform and read about key changes, and new, and forthcoming features. For more information, see Webex Suite meeting platform.
Enhancements for multi-call window—Windows
We're renaming the multi-call window to Calling dock. The window can now be docked to the edge of your screen to temporarily hide the window. You’re still notified when you have incoming calls or other notifications. For more information, see Webex App | Manage all your phone calls in one place.
March 2024
Email Customization for Activation Emails
Allows partners to include their own Terms of Service and Privacy Statement links in the activation emails. Webex CI Authentication Only.
Custom Tags
Partner admins with >1000 customer organizations can leverage custom labels to easily identify and group customers of interest, subscription, or partner OSS/BSS native identifiers.
February 2024
Spam Call Indication in Call History
Visual indication in Webex App call history that the call was suspected SPAM.
Slido
Slido is now on by default for all customers (except in Canda & Japan due to data residency restrictions). Users can now login user their user credentials and use Slido as their polling and Q&A tool in meetings.
BroadWorks Password expiration notification at login
Improved user experience for customers who are using BroadWorks Authentication and have BroadWorks password expiration in place. Users will be notified on the login screen that their password will expire in 'x' number of days.
January 2024
Partner APIs for Customer Management (group contacts)
Allows partners to manage contacts in the Webex Cloud, which will help address the need to manage group contacts better.
December 2023
Automatic hold for transfer
This enhancement will place calls on hold as soon as a user initiates a transfer, preventing the caller from hearing background noise as the user is making the transfer.
Multi-line Hold Resume across users
Allows users who have shared line functionality to put a call on hold and have it resumed by another user on the same shared line.
October 2023
MNO: Attended Transfer Support
Ability to complete the attended transfer using a native dialer.
September 2023
Transfer calls to an active call—Windows and Mac
When you’re juggling lots of calls, you’ll have an option to transfer a call to somebody you’ve put on hold.
Meetings associated with a space - Windows, Mac, Linux, VDI, iPhone, iPad, and Android
Meetings associated with a space have been improved! We’ve enriched your meetings experience in a space. Now, when you join or schedule a meeting in a space, you have access to all the features you’ve come to enjoy in Webex Meetings. You can leverage this new experience in every meeting you schedule or join from here on in. To schedule or start a meeting in a space, you must have a Webex Meetings license and be in the same organization as the person who created the space. Without a license, you only have the capability to join meetings.
For more information, see Webex App | Improved meetings associated with a space.
August 2023
Automated Cisco to BYOPSTN migration
Provides the ability to move existing customer orgs from Cisco PSTN to BYOPSTN and keep all other existing meeting site configurations.
Directory Search Service Support for MPP
Enables searching Webex contacts on MPP devices .
July 2023
Partner APIs for Customer Management
Allows partners to manage contacts in the Webex Cloud, will help address the need to better manage organizational contacts.
June 2023
Show active calls as an option to transfer (Mobile, Desktop)
When transferring a call you will now have the option to transfer to another active call that is on hold.
May 2023
Country Specific call-in number for Webex Meetings
The provisioning API will automatically set a default Dial In a number which matches the country defined in the API payload.
April 2023
Monitor Busy Lamp Field (BLF) list with Call Pickup Support
Intended for power users that need to see the Busy Lamp Field list open at all times and use one-click operations like call user or pick up a call from this list. Will display both Webex and calling only users and their hook status.
Directory Search Service Support for RoomOS
Enables searching Webex contacts on RoomOS devices.
Unified Call History on RoomOS
RoomOS device call history displays call made from the user's Webex Devices and Webex App.
March 2023
Mobile Calling Widgets for Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Deployments
The new mobile calling widgets provide iOS and Android users with quick access to key calling features: Do Not Disturb, Call Forwarding, Call History, and Call Queue settings for agents. Available on iOS and Android.
February 2023
Group Level Contacts
Increase group level contact limits from 1,500 to 30,000.
Partner SSO Enhancement Options
Add support for oAuth/OpenID Connect IDP to the Partner SSO options. This is in addition to the currently supported SAML IDP.
Billing support for BYoPSTN
Provides enhancement to BroadWorks CDRs that includes information that will allow partners to bill customers for usage of the “call back” feature in meetings.
Move Call to Meetings for Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Deployments
This feature adds the ability for users to easily move an active 1 on 1 call on a mobile network to a meeting. Once moved to a meeting, add video, sharing, participants, and utilize full meetings functionality.
Support Cisco MPP 8875 on Webex for Broadworks
The new MPP 8875 video phone has these features:
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Rich Webex Calling feature support.
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Onboarding to Webex Cloud for serviceability features such as Reboot and remote PRT.
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Initial Webex Meetings integration with One button to join and view the participant list.
For more information, see Cisco Video Phone 8875.
Webex Unified Call History for Webex Aware MPP Devices
MPP device call history displays calls made from the user's Webex Devices and Webex App.
January 2023
None
August 2022
Support Language Locales
During provisioning, the language that was assigned in BroadWorks to the first provisioned administration user gets assigned automatically as the default locale for that customer organization. This setting determines the default language used for activation emails, meetings, and meeting invites under that customer organization.
Native Call Queue Login
This feature lets users access their call queues with fewer clicks. Users can join or unjoin call queues and change their queue status right from the footer of the Webex App. Support is for Windows and Mac.
Pre-provisioning System Check
Run this API before provisioning to ensure that provisioning succeeds with no issues. The API checks the customer setup and highlights potential issues such as domain issues and email issues, before you provision customers and subscribers.
July 2022
Unified Presence for Room OS
This feature adds the following benefits:
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Webex for BroadWorks users who enable the RoomOS integration can see the presence status of people in RoomOS
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Users can see their own presence as well. This presence view is consistent across the Webex App and other Cisco Webex devices and phones.
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The Room OS device is included in Do Not Disturb Sync. DND updates sync between the RoomOS device, the Webex App and the BroadWorks backend.
Remote Control by External Application
Extend calling capabilities for third-party applications.
If you're deploying Contact Center, Receptionist thin client, or a third-party app that doesn't have calling, users can use the Webex App to add calling capability. Users can place calls, answer calls, and put calls on hold using the third-party application, all while the Webex App runs in the background. For this feature to work, the Webex App must be the primary calling device. Support is for Windows and Mac.
To use this feature, you must set the %ENABLE_REMOTE_CONTROL_EVENTS_WXT%
tag to true
(the default value is false). For details, see the Webex for Cisco BroadWorks Configuration Guide.
Partner Read-only Administrator
This new role provides users in a partner organization with read-only access to Partner Hub settings, and to Control Hub settings for customer organizations that the partner manages. However, the administrator does not have edit access to either portal. This role helps in situations where a user may need basic access for tasks such as viewing analytics or upsell opportunities, but their position does not require them to manage settings. For more information, see the following article: https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/2y8qmt/Partner-Administrator-Roles-for-Webex-for-BroadWorks-and-Wholesale-RTM
June 2022
Multi Call Window
The new Multi Call Window shows all calls in the Webex App from a single window. This feature helps users who handle several calls at the same time or who use the Executive-Assistant service and can monitor an assistant’s or executive’s calls. The feature provides a summarized view of all their calls from a single window. This feature is supported as of Release 42.6 of the Webex App. See Webex App | Manage all your phone calls in one place for an article that users can follow to configure the feature on the Webex App.
May 2022
Device Integration for Room OS and MPP Devices
Webex for Cisco BroadWorks introduces device integration with Room OS and MPP devices:
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Room OS—This solution lets Room OS Webex Devices (shared and personal) register with both Webex and BroadWorks using a single activation code that you provision on BroadWorks. The solution combines optimized meeting experiences along with SIP calling. Device support includes the current Room OS portfolio (Room and Room Kit series, Desk series, and Board series).
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MPP—This solution lets Webex-capable MPP devices connect with the Webex cloud and access Webex services. The solution provides a consistent and intuitive user experience across the Webex App and MPP Phones for Webex for Cisco BroadWorks users. Support is for Cisco 88xx series phones.
In addition to onboarding, the enhanced serviceability feature lets administrators service Room OS and MPP devices from Control Hub directly. Administrators can open a device view that includes device status information along with options to reboot the device remotely or send a problem report for troubleshooting.
As part of this new integration, we are introducing the Device Integration Guide for Webex for Cisco BroadWorks. This guide contains procedures that describe how to onboard and service Room OS and MPP devices for Webex for Cisco BroadWorks.
Disable Screen Sharing in Webex App
Partner administrators can now disable screen sharing within calls that use the Webex App. Webex App users will not be able to share their screen, or receive a screen share from other users. You can disable screen sharing by setting the %ENABLE_SCREEN_SHARE_WXT%
configuration tag to false (the default setting is true). For more information, see the Webex for Cisco BroadWorks Configuration Guide.
Remove Participant from Conference
This feature lets a Webex App user who starts an ad hoc conference remove any participant from the conference. The Webex App user can view the participant list, select any user, and then remove that user from the conference. See Webex App | Remove someone from a conference call for a procedure that users can follow.
April 2022
Partner-Level Release Management
Partners can use Release Management to control the Webex App release frequency for desktop. The release frequency options are:
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Automatic—Follows Cisco release schedule
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Latest (Every Month)—Deferral of up to four weeks
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Slow (Every Quarter)—Deferral of up to 12 weeks
Partner administrators have a number of options:
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Partners can apply a schedule to all of their customer organizations.
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Partners can allow customer organizations to override the partner-level setting.
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With custom schedules, administrators can allow individual users to follow the Cisco latest schedule.
For details, see Release Management Customizations.
Do Not Disturb (DND) Sync
DND Sync aligns Webex DND functionality with telephony DND from BroadWorks. Whether you set DND from the Webex App or from a desk phone, the DND status syncs to the other platform. DND Sync ensures that DND functionality remains consistent across all devices and platforms.
For details, see Do Not Disturb (DND) Sync in the Webex for Cisco BroadWorks Solution Guide.
March 2022
Directory Sync API Improvements
API improvements give partner administrators more flexibility in managing Directory Sync and in triggering on-demand syncs. Following are the updates:
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Administrators can now run an API sync simultaneous to a scheduled sync from the same BroadWorks. This update means that an administrator can trigger an on-demand sync via the API knowing that it won't conflict with a scheduled sync. However, note that you still cannot run more than one scheduled sync or more than one API sync from the same BroadWorks at the same time.
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Directory sync now includes a public API that lets you sync individual directory entries for non-Webex subscribers.
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Mobile phone numbers are now included in the sync.
Mobile Number Sync
This feature update adds the syncing of mobile numbers from BroadWorks to Webex. Once synced, the mobile number is available in the user contact profile or via contact search in the Webex App. Support includes both Webex-enabled users and calling-only BroadWorks users. Mobile numbers are synced in the following scenarios:
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Flowthrough Provisioning
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Self-Activation
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API Provisioning
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Directory Sync
Midcall Features for Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Deployments
This feature adds the following midcall features for Mobile Network Operator (MNO) deployments:
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Hold/Resume
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Blind Transfer
The following config tags support this feature. For information on these tags, see Webex for Cisco BroadWorks Configuration Guide.
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%ENABLE_XSI_CALL_CONTROL_WXT%
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%XSI_CALL_CONTROL_DEPLOYMENT_TYPE_WXT%
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%DEPLOYMENT_DEVICE_TYPE_1_WXT%, %DEPLOYMENT_DEVICE_TYPE_2_WXT%, %DEPLOYMENT_DEVICE_TYPE_3_WXT%
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%ENABLE_XSI_HOLD_CALLS_WXT%
Update Location Controls for RedSky E911 Integration
A new configuration tag, %EMERGENCY_REDSKY_USER_LOCATION_PROMPTING_WXT%
, lets administrators configure how often users get prompted to update their location information. By default, users will be prompted to enter their location information only when logging in at an unknown location. However, you can configure the tag such that users get prompted to update their location for every network change at an unknown location. For details on the RedSky integration, see E911 Emergency Calling with RedSky.
Control Hub Partner Analytics
Control Hub improvements make it easy for partner administrators to view and update package information on behalf of their users. This feature provides the ability for partners to get an aggregated view across all customers and includes the following details:
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Total users by package (Softphone, Basic, Standard, Premium)
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User by package trend (Daily/Weekly/Monthly)
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Customers with # of packages assigned
For full details on how to use Partner Analytics, see the Webex article Analytics for Webex for Wholesale and Webex for Broadworks packages in Partner Hub.
Busy Lamp Field (BLF) / Call Pickup Notification
This feature leverages the Busy Lamp Field (BLF) and Directed Call Pickup features. Users in a group (for example, members of a sales team) can monitor the BLF call status of other group members and answer each other's calls. Group members receive an audio and visual indicator on the Webex App of ringing calls for other group members. In addition, they can use the Directed Call Pickup feature to answer the calls of other group members.
This feature is especially useful in situations where the group members are working remotely, or in different locations, and can't hear each other's phones ringing.
The following configuration tags are required to use this feature:
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<busy-lamp-field enabled="%ENABLE_BUSY_LAMP_FIELD_WXT%">
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<display-caller enabled="%ENABLE_BLF_DISPLAY_CALLER_WXT%"/>
For more details on this feature, see BLF / Call Pickup Notification in the Webex for Cisco BroadWorks Solution Guide.
February 2022
Package Improvements for Standard Users
The Standard Package has been updated as follows for both new and existing users:
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Meeting capacity is now 100 participants per meeting (for either Webex Meetings or PMR meetings)
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Local recording is now supported for Standard users
Dark Mode Available with Advanced Branding
Advanced Branding options are expanded to include new Dark Mode customizations, which are added to the existing Light Mode customizations. Administrators can now enable users with the ability to deploy the Webex App in either Dark Mode or Light Mode and can assign logos and color schemes that are specific to the mode. The Webex App displays the appropriate color scheme and logo that is assigned to the mode that the user sets. For details, see Configure Advanced Branding Customizations.
January 2022
Restricted by Partner Mode Updates
This feature is updated with additional restrictions. In addition to the pre-existing restrictions, this feature now prevents customer administrators from editing the following Control Hub settings:
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—Settings are read-only.
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Suppress Admin Invite Emails and Email Locale settings are read-only.
—The -
Under SERVICES the Connected UC and Migrations options are hidden.
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—The Local Gateway and Cisco PSTN options are hidden.
For more detail on Restricted by Partner Mode, see the Webex for BroadWorks Solution Guide.
Coming Soon
Search by phone number
Quickly locate and connect with contacts by entering their phone number in the search bar. This feature streamlines communication by directly linking numbers to associated profiles.
Personal call routing (desktop)
Effortlessly manage inbound calls on your desktop by setting custom rules based on your status. Automatically route calls to voicemail during specific times, allow priority calls, and provide personalized voicemail greetings to keep callers informed.
Calling Dock - support for Desk Phone control
Seamlessly control your desk phone from the Calling Dock, enabling efficient call management and enhanced collaboration directly from your workspace.
Personal call routing (aka Personal Assistant)
Smart voicemail feature that allows end users to set up inbound call rules based on certain statuses. Users can set their status as \out to lunch\ or any other status, and during that time, inbound calls will be routed to voicemail automatically. Users can also specify which calls should be let through and provide useful information to the caller in the voicemail greeting.
Features in development
We will announce new features as they become available.
This page contains important announcements for partner administrators. For example, this includes non-feature updates that can affect network connectivity.
Webex for BroadWorks Roadmap
November Roadmap available now.
September Roadmap and Recording available now. Hot Topic: Webex AI Codec
August Roadmap and Recording available now.
July Roadmap and Recording available now.
Download the reimagined Webex for BroadWorks Feature Matrix that includes Cisco AI for Webex features and links to help articles.
Microsoft Teams to support Voicemail retrieval
Cisco is pleased to announce our integration with Microsoft Teams to support voicemail retrieval within the Webex for BroadWorks offer. To support this integration, additional network changes are required. BroadWorks partners should enable Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) for the following URLs on their BroadWorks platform:
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https://jabber-integration-a.wbx2.com/
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https://jabber-integration-r.wbx2.com/
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https://jabber-integration-k.wbx2.com/
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https://msteams-calling.webex.com/
For more details on the configuration steps, please refer to section 8.5.1.2 of the BW Application Delivery Platform Configuration Guide, which requires version 2024.05 on the ADP.
December 01, 2023
Change to Subscriber APIs
This change is to GET and LIST Subscriber APIs for Webex for BroadWorks. The change is to the errors array parameter in the APIs listed below. This errors param contains an array of Error structures that have 2 parameters, errorCode and description. 'errorCode' parameter changes from a String to an Integer.
/v1/broadworks/subscribers/{subscriberId}
/v1/broadworks/subscribers
Action Required
Partners should review and update their code in case it does any errorCode parsing for the GET and LIST APIs by January 31, 2024.
August 31, 2023
The mTLS client certificates used by Webex for BroadWorks will transition to a new Cisco-led issuer on August 31,2023. As a result, a new CA chain of root and issuer certificates must be added to your public facing XSP/ADP or Edge proxy. The Cisco-led CA chain is published under https://bwks-uap.webex.com/assets/public/CombinedCertChain2023.txt and the Webex for Broadworks Solution Guide has been updated.
Webex Cloud is expanding and has added new IP address ranges for incoming connections to your network from the Webex Cloud. Refer to USA Ingress Rules and EMEA Ingress Rules within the Network Requirements for Webex for Cisco BroadWorks for the current list of available IP ranges and update your firewall settings accordingly by August 31, 2023 to avoid service disruptions.
February 03, 2023
New BYoPSTN DNS SRV domains have been created for Service Providers to transition to dedicated call processing proxies and will be enforced. See Bring Your Own PSTN Solution for Webex for Cisco Broadworks, under Webex Call Routing Domains section for the list of domains, and update your setup accordingly.