How Long Does It Take to Port a Number? Step-by-step guide

Have you ever experienced the reliability of a reputable phone service provider, Dialaxy? If not, this is your time to see what it can bring to your business. 

Dialaxy offers a wealth of advanced features to help you easily port your numbers. Number porting is the process of switching your existing phone number from one phone number service provider to a new provider. The number could be a business phone number, virtual number, landline, or personal number. 

Due to variations in service types, technology, and particular provider procedures, number porting can be challenging and time-consuming.

This blog provides detailed information about number porting, its benefits and the easy steps to port your number. So, let’s get started. 🚀

What is number porting?

Number porting is the process of transferring the currently active mobile, landline, virtual, local, or toll-free eligible number to a new VoIP service provider. 

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), porting between providers is possible when you remain within the same geographic area. It eliminates the need to update your contact information on business cards, websites, and with your customers. 

Number porting has both pros and cons. While looking at its pros, it is advantageous for small businesses willing to lower their communication expenditure by switching to a more economical VoIP provider. 

Why port your VoIP number?

Besides small businesses, there are several benefits of porting numbers for companies of all sizes. Let’s discuss the benefits in detail:

• Business continuity: Number porting is a lifesaver for businesses that have been using an established phone number on marketing materials, websites, and other media. It ensures continuity and eliminates lost connections or confusion during the transition time. 
• Less missed calls: Porting ensures uninterrupted service by automatically redirecting incoming calls from the old number to the new provider, preventing missed calls or disruptions in communication.  
• Cost savings: You don’t have to pay your existing carrier termination fees. Additionally, you can save money without having to produce new stationery, business cards, or marketing materials with the latest number and maintain the consistency of your current branding.
• Improved customer service: Consumers are more willing to call your current number since they are familiar with it. By porting your number, you can switch to the new provider seamlessly and continue to communicate with customers.

How to port your number in 4 steps?

You can port your number in 4 easy steps, and they are:

1. Figure out the eligibility of your porting number

Most phone numbers are eligible for porting to another service, but there are exceptions. Thus, contact your new carrier to verify if your current number can be switched to their service. 

Then, gather all essential account information from the current service provider, such as account number, PIN or password, account holder’s name and address, and contract status. Lastly, complete your contract and avoid unpaid bills, which might cause delays or issues while porting your number. 

2. Inform the current provider about porting out

Inform your current support staff about porting out to ensure a smooth transition. Ask the staff to confirm your information in advance, such as name, business address, and port-out PIN, to prevent complications, delays, or interruptions. 

3. Send the following information to your new provider

Your new provider needs your information for legal reasons before porting your number. Submit the list of the following information for the successful porting process.

• Your name, porting number,  billing address, and port-out/transfer PIN.
• Letter of Authorization or LOA signed by you that grants permission to the new carrier to do the port.
• Type of phone number you want to port, such as Local US, local Canada, or toll-free/1-800 number, mobile, landline, or VoIP number.
• Old carriers and account numbers allow two providers to interact with each other to complete the process. 
• Copy of current phone bill to provide additional proof of phone number ownership. 

4. Wait for your new carrier to notify you about the port date

Porting timelines vary depending on the service provider you choose, generally taking about 5 to 10 business days. Don’t cancel your service with your old provider until the current porting is successful because it can cause number porting issues. 

Here are a few providers and the estimated time taken to port a number

How long does it take to port a number and why does it take so long?

The number porting durations depends on the provider you choose. However, there is a list of factors that influence the timeframe. Let’s discuss those factors in detail. 

I. Incorrect or missing documentation

Information errors or missing documentation are among the most common reasons for porting delays. You must mandate certain requirements and considerations prior to number porting. The porting process will not proceed further if you do not comply with FCC guidelines. 

 Typical examples of inaccurate or missing documentation include the following:

• Letter of Authorization (LOA) not provided
• LOA provided but not signed
• No billing receipt provided
• Incorrect phone number listed on the invoice
• Incorrect port-out/ transfer PIN provided

II. Delays hearing back from your current provider

Porting a conventional phone number provider to a VoIP provider is time-consuming, which may be due to the complexity of systems, provider coordination, regulatory requirements, or technical adjustments. It can take longer than the estimated 5-7 working days. 

However the number porting between VoIP to VoIP is faster if the coordination between the providers goes well. Sometimes, some providers aren’t responsive to your request because they dont want you to leave, resulting in longer wait times.

III. Number porting rejections

Rejections are one of the most common reasons for porting delays. Resolving porting rejections takes about two weeks. If it takes longer than that, you must contact your carrier right away. 

Some of the common reasons for rejection are:

• Incorrect account number
• Unauthorized customer’s signature
• Invalid PIN
• Errors in spellings

IV. Complex number porting

Mobile, landline, VoIP, or toll-free numbers that use completely different phone lines can be ported to a new service provider. However, the variations in these business phone numbers make the porting process complicated. 

Porting is simple and easy between two similar types of service, such as mobile providers. Meanwhile, transferring from a traditional landline or mobile service to VoIP is complex and requires a longer timeframe.

V. Delays due to the holiday season

Remember that carrier network freezes might cause delays in porting requests, particularly over the holidays.

How to do number porting with Dialaxy?

You should always consider a reliable phone number service provider such as Dialaxy to port your number smoothly without much headache. Dialaxy is affordable and offers customizable pricing plans to fit your call volume and team size. 

Additionally, it provides advanced call routing, Slack, HubSpot integration, IVR, and call recording features and ensures long-term communication success. 

You can port your number following the provided simple steps. The steps include: 

Step 1: Choose a new service provider, such as Dialaxy

Step 2: Provide the required information and create a new account. 

Step 3: Get a local or toll-free new phone number and try the service.

Step 4: When you’re prepared, you can use the desktop or online Dialaxy apps to submit your port request directly.

Step 5: Wait for confirmation.

Step 6: After the number is successfully ported, cancel your old plan and provider.

Conclusion

You can transfer your currently active mobile, landline, virtual, local, or toll-free eligible number to a new VoIP service provider. However, depending on their complications, these numbers require different porting timeframes. 

Most numbers are eligible for porting, but some exceptions might invite rejections or delays in the process. Thus, before porting your number, you must consider your number eligibility, account status, information gathering, and porting fees. 

Number porting has numerous advantages for businesses, including business continuity, better online presence, cost savings, and improved customer experiences. Importantly,  before selecting a reliable new provider, consider its features, pricing plans, porting services, security, and compliance. 

FAQs

What happens when you port your number?

You should be able to make calls and send texts to your new provider after your number has been transferred. In the event that it’s a VoIP service, you must download their app (if you haven’t previously).

Can I port a toll-free number? 

Absolutely, you can transfer a toll-free number to their platform, depending on the provider. However, due to new laws, certain providers now require additional verification. 

Nonetheless, in certain cases, a provider may not be able to port a number if they do not service the area to which the number is assigned. 

What is the duration of the porting process?

The porting procedure normally takes one to three business days to complete. Delays may occur if problems confirm the details or if your current carrier does not surrender the number immediately.

Can I cancel a porting request once it has been initiated? 

It is possible to withdraw a porting request before its completion. If you want to stop the porting procedure, contact your new carrier as soon as possible.