Porting a phone number means moving your existing number from one carrier to another so you keep it. You are allowed to take your number with you when you switch providers, the same way you can keep your cell number when you change wireless companies. Done right, your customers never notice, because the number stays exactly the same. The only thing that changes is which company carries your calls behind the scenes.
The step-by-step process
You do not contact your old carrier to start a port. You start it with the new provider, and the two companies coordinate the move between themselves. Here is the typical flow:
- Request the port with your new provider. Tell them which numbers you want to bring over and start the porting request through their setup process.
- Submit a Letter of Authorization and a recent bill. You sign a Letter of Authorization, often called an LOA, which gives the new provider permission to move your number, and you attach a recent bill from your current carrier so the details can be matched.
- The providers coordinate. The new provider sends the request to your old carrier. The old carrier checks that the account details match and approves the release. This back and forth is the part that takes time.
- A cutover is scheduled. Once the old carrier approves, you get a specific date and time when the number actually switches over. The whole thing usually runs about one to two weeks from request to cutover.
- The number goes live on the new service. On the cutover date the number flips to your new provider. From that moment, calls to your number ring through the new system.
What you need ready
Most porting delays come from mismatched paperwork, so gather these before you start:
- A signed Letter of Authorization for the new provider.
- A recent phone bill that clearly shows the account number and service address.
- Your account number and any PIN or passcode tied to the current carrier.
- The exact account holder name and billing address as they appear on the bill, down to the punctuation.
- A full list of every number you want to move, so none get left behind.
How to avoid downtime
The good news is that porting is built to be seamless. Your old number keeps working on your old service the entire time, right up until the scheduled cutover. The single most important rule is this: do not cancel your old service before the port completes. Canceling early can release the number back into the pool, and once that happens it can be lost for good. Let the port finish on its scheduled date, confirm calls are flowing through the new provider, and only then close the old account. Many providers will tell you exactly when it is safe to cancel.
Common pitfalls
- Account details that do not match. If the name, address, or account number you provide does not match the old carrier's records exactly, the port gets rejected and you start over. Copy the bill word for word.
- Canceling early. As above, this is the number one way people lose a number.
- A frozen or locked account. Some carriers freeze ports on accounts with an unpaid balance or a port-out lock. Clear any balance and ask whether a lock or PIN is required first.
- Forgetting a number. Ports cover only the numbers you list. Double-check that fax lines, secondary lines, and toll-free numbers are all included.
If you are still deciding on a new system before you port, it helps to understand how VoIP works and what a modern setup costs in our cost breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to port a phone number?
For most business numbers, porting takes about one to two weeks. Simple single-line ports can be faster, while accounts with many lines or carrier issues can take longer. Your new provider schedules a specific cutover date once the old carrier approves the request.
Will my phone service go down while I port my number?
It should not, if you do it right. Your old number keeps working on your old service until the port completes on the scheduled cutover date. The single most important rule is to never cancel your old service yourself before the port finishes, because canceling early can release the number and cause it to be lost.
What information do I need to port a phone number?
You typically need a signed Letter of Authorization, a recent phone bill that shows the account number and service address, your account number and any PIN or passcode from the current carrier, and the exact account holder name and address as they appear on that bill.
