Keeping your numbers: preparing for number porting
If customers know your numbers, keeping them is often part of a move to hosted voice. This guide covers what to prepare so your numbers can be reviewed properly before any change is planned.
What number porting means
Number porting means moving an existing phone number from your current provider to a new service, so customers can keep calling the numbers they already know. When you move to hosted voice, porting is reviewed and coordinated with your current provider as part of the wider migration.
Why it depends on the numbers and current arrangements
Whether existing numbers can move to a new service depends on the numbers themselves, your current provider arrangements and the relevant checks. Porting requirements differ by provider, so whether and how each number can move is confirmed during review.
Plan for either outcome
It is sensible to plan for either outcome rather than assume your numbers can move. If you are not sure yet whether you want to keep a number, say so and discuss it during the review.
Avoid committing staff or customers to a fixed changeover date in advance. Actual timing is confirmed once the requirements and any number checks are understood.
What to have ready
Missing account details are a common reason for delays, so collecting them early is one of the most useful things you can do. Have these to hand:
- Your current provider’s name.
- The account holder’s name.
- The account numbers for the services involved.
- A recent invoice.
- The person authorised to make changes on the account.
- A list of your numbers: your main number, any direct lines and numbers printed on vehicles, signage or marketing material, with the ones you want to keep marked.
Why paperwork and provider requirements matter
Number porting, timelines and final configuration depend on current-provider requirements, correct paperwork and a confirmed business review. Because porting requirements differ by provider, we review the paperwork together with you as part of the hosted voice review.
Keep existing arrangements until testing is done
Where appropriate, plan the changeover so existing arrangements are not ended until the new setup has been tested. Before relying on a new service, test inbound and outbound calls, transfers, voicemail, menus and after-hours routing.
It also helps to know when your current agreements end and any notice periods, so you can plan the overlap between old and new arrangements rather than react to it.
How porting fits into a hosted voice move
Porting is one part of a hosted voice migration. We review your users and current numbers, coordinate number-porting requirements where applicable, then configure and test calling before helping your team get started. Once you approve the recommendation, installation, porting and onboarding are coordinated with you.
For users, call flows, devices and testing, see Hosted voice migration readiness.
Number porting is reviewed and coordinated with your current provider, and depends on their requirements and correct paperwork. Final service options, availability and delivery steps are confirmed during the relevant address and requirements reviews.