Fax transmission report: what it shows and how to use it
What the report contains
| Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Date and time | start and end of the transmission, for every page |
| Recipient number | the dialed fax number with country code |
| Receiver ID | the name or number reported by the receiving machine |
| Pages | how many pages were sent and confirmed |
| Result | OK or the reason why it failed |
What the OK note means
Fax machines talk to each other using a fixed protocol, Recommendation T.30 of the International Telecommunication Union. After each page, the receiving machine reports back whether the page arrived. If the report says OK, it has confirmed every page.
What the report does not show
- Whether anyone has read or printed the fax.
- Whether the fax number really belongs to the intended recipient. The receiver ID helps, but it can be set freely.
- The content of the pages. We delete your files after sending, so keep the document you sent together with the report yourself.
How to use the report
Save the report together with the document you sent. In many countries, a transmission report with OK counts as an indication that the fax arrived, but not as conclusive proof. For important deadlines, a second, independent channel is therefore worth it: the same letter by post. See Fax and letter in parallel.
At faxpostal you find all reports in your account. You choose how long we keep them in the settings: 90 days, 1 year or 10 years.
FAQ
Why is the receiver ID empty?
Some fax machines do not report an ID. That does not change the fact that the pages were confirmed.
Do I also get the report by email?
Yes, as long as you leave this switched on in the settings. It is also always in your account.
What does the report say if it failed?
The reason, for example line busy, no answer or no fax machine at this number. We do not charge for such pages.
Sources
- ITU-T Recommendation T.30, procedures for document facsimile transmission, itu.int