Ultimate Guide to VoIP Number Porting

Whether you are shifting to a new business location or another service provider, VoIP number porting makes the process easy. With VoIP number porting, you can keep the existing number that your customers already know and continue your business operation.

This saves you money on new business cards, as changing your number can cause inconvenience for your customers and business. This comprehensive guide walks you through VoIP number porting, how to port your number, the potential challenges of porting, and choosing the best VoIP provider. Let's delve deeper into it.

What is VoIP Number Porting?

VoIP number porting allows users to retain their phone numbers when switching to new VoIP services. It eliminates the need for a new business phone number. You can port your mobile phone or landline number to continue business operations without a hitch. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) empowers users to freely port numbers, regardless of the services they use. Your current phone service provider will release your phone number for porting.

Choosing the right VoIP service provider

When you decide to port your number, choosing a VoIP phone system that offers a seamless transition and additional benefits is essential. Here are the vital aspects to consider while selecting new services.

Features: Know your communication needs and select a VoIP provider with desired features.

Pricing: Look at pricing plans that fit your call volume and team.

Customer service: When choosing a new provider, ensure they have 24/7 customer service.

Scalability: Choose a new provider that will allow your business to scale smoothly when your call volume and team expand.

Reliability: Ensure the provider integrates quality of service (QoS) for high-quality calls.

Porting service: Learn all about the VoIP provider's porting process, such as the success rate and temporary call forward options.

VoIP apps: If you have a remote or hybrid business, ensure your new service provider has mobile and desktop apps for a seamless connection.

Integration with tools: Is the VoIP provider integrated with the current CRM and other collaboration tools? Integration helps increase team productivity and offers flexibility.

Security and compliance: While selecting a new VoIP provider, look for one that prioritizes data security by following robust encryption protocols.

Transparent knows the communication needs of today's businesses and provides additional features to meet these needs.

How to Port Your Number?

Porting your number to the new VoIP service is quite simple. Here are the steps to port the number to a new provider.

1 - Get Your Account Details From Your Old Carrier

For smooth number porting, get all the required information from your existing services at hand. So, your new VoIP provider verifies your account details and complies with the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) laws. Here are the basic requirements for your VoIP number porting.

• Phone number, including extensions.
• Your account number of the current phone service provider
• Name of the account holder
• Your PIN or passcode
• Your recent bill copy
• A signed letter of authorization (LOA)

2 - Keep your current phone service.

Once you've decided to port your number, do not cancel your current phone service before the porting process is completed. Canceling your phone service before porting can risk you losing your number. This will also help you continue your business operations without interruption.

3 - Reach out to your new VoIP provider about porting.

While signing up for a new VoIP service provider, let them know you want to port your current phone number and submit all the required information. Some VoIP services charge porting fees, though there is no fee for porting your number to VoIP services like Transparent. When porting is underway, you can request that your new VoIP provider give you temporary numbers to forward calls.

4 - Wait until your number is ported.

When the LOA is received, your new provider will contact your existing phone services provider to start porting. Typically, the porting process takes 5-7 business days to meet all requirements; however, the days can vary. If you have multiple numbers to port, it may take 4-6 weeks. Your new VoIP service provider will update you when your number has been moved through email or the admin portal.

5 - Test your new ported number.

Once the number porting is completed successfully, your phone number will be activated on new VoIP services. Now, it's time to test your ported number. Take your physical phone device and dial your business number. When the call rings on your connected device, your porting is successful. Meanwhile, after testing your ported number, you can cancel the previous phone services.

Complications of porting number

VoIP number porting is a simple process, though sometimes issues can arise. While the FCC requires all carriers to enable you to port a number legally, you will not port your number if you have the same reasons below;

• Your new VoIP services do not provide services in your geographic area.
• The number you want to port is inactive, as only active phone numbers can be ported.

While other issues may emerge during the porting process, it is important to note that they are all fixable, which provides a sense of reassurance.

• You can't initiate the porting process if you are not the account holder. However, you can contact the account holder to handle the porting process.
• If you provide incorrect information, such as your name or address, that's different from your previous or new service provider.
• If you disconnect your number before the porting is completed, it will take longer than average to port your number.

Seamlessly port your number with Transparent.

Smartly choose your new VoIP phone service provider while switching to new services. With Transparent, you can make unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada and use shared numbers with additional features. You can integrate with tools like Hubspot, Zendesk, and more to streamline your business. We handle all the processes, from porting to installing to maintaining the phone system, so you can focus on your business. This process guarantees a seamless transition without disrupting your communication with customers.