Your phone numbers are part of your brand. They’re on your website, invoices, vehicles and years of customer records. Number portability lets you keep them when you change provider. Here’s how the process works.
What porting is
Porting transfers a number from one operator (the “losing” provider) to another (the “gaining” provider). The number stays in service throughout, and on the switch-over date calls simply start arriving at the new provider.
What you’ll need
- A letter of authorisation (LOA) signed by the account holder, authorising the transfer
- A recent bill or account details from the current provider, matching the name and address on the account exactly
- The list of numbers to move, including any ranges or blocks
- For some countries, company registration or ID documents, depending on the regulator’s rules
The most common cause of rejection is a mismatch between the details on the LOA and the losing provider’s records. Check spelling, addresses and account numbers carefully.
How long it takes
Timelines vary by country and number type. Single mobile numbers can move within days in many countries; geographic landline numbers and large ranges often take one to several weeks. Your provider should give you a target date once the request is validated.
Avoiding downtime
- Don’t cancel your old service first. Cancelling can release the numbers. Keep it active until the port completes.
- Set up routing in advance. Configure the numbers’ destination at the new provider before the port date, so calls land correctly the moment they switch.
- Pick a quiet day. Schedule the cut-over outside peak hours where the process allows.
- Test immediately after the switch from a mobile and a landline.
Temporary numbers during a port
If you need to launch before a port completes, you can take a temporary number and forward it, or route your new number and existing number to the same place. Once the port finishes, both simply work.
Porting out
A good provider never holds your numbers hostage. If you decide to leave, you should be able to port your numbers out on the same terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can every number be ported?
Most geographic, national and toll-free numbers can, but portability rules differ by country and some special ranges can’t be moved between operators.
Will porting affect my caller ID?
No. Once ported, the number works exactly as before, including as outbound caller ID where allowed.
Talk to us about porting