Reviewed on: May 05,2026
Inmate Phone Calls

How Do I Register a GTL Phone Number at ConnectNetwork?

how do I register a global tel link phone number and what I have to, in order for it to work?

GlobalTel*Link, now operating as ConnectNetwork, is the platform you need to set up on your end to receive calls from a facility that uses GTL as their carrier.
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Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer June 15,2019 · Inmate Phone Calls
1

GlobalTel*Link, now operating as ConnectNetwork, is the platform you need to set up on your end to receive calls from a facility that uses GTL as their carrier. Here is how the process works.

Go to connectnetwork.com and create an account. During setup you will register the phone number where you want to receive calls and add funds to what is called an AdvancePay account. That prepaid balance is what gets drawn down as calls come through. You need money in the account before calls can connect, so funding it at setup is a required step rather than an option.

If you already have an existing ConnectNetwork account, you can add the InmateAid number to it alongside your existing number. That is the key step for getting the savings. Once the InmateAid number is registered in your account and your inmate has it on their approved call list at the facility, calls through that number will route to you at a significantly lower rate than your regular number. The savings can be 50 percent or more depending on the facility and your current rate.

GTL publishes a rate calculator on their site where you can compare what different numbers cost at a specific facility. That is worth checking before you sign up for anything.

InmateAid also offers a free estimate before purchase. Text, email, or call InmateAid with your current number and the facility name and they will tell you exactly what you are currently paying and what you would pay with an InmateAid number. If the numbers do not show savings, the fee is refunded. There is no risk in getting the estimate first.

Accepted Answer Date Created: June 15,2019
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About this answer: This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice. Last reviewed May 2026.