Choose Your VoIP Number - Keep Your Current Number

If you're moving to a new region, you may want to get a new number in your new area code so your new friends and neighbors don't have to make long distance calls to reach you. You'll be sending out change of address cards anyway, so it's easy for friends and relatives to update all of your info at once.

Ensure a Smooth VoIP Number Transfer

If you're planning to port your number over to your VoIP provider, there are a few steps you should take to ensure a smooth transition. Keep in mind that it can take 6-8 weeks to complete the process.

• Use the online tool at your chosen provider to verify that your number is portable before completing the paperwork. If the tool reports that the number isn't transferrable, contact the provider to confirm this or for help finding alternatives
  
  
• Complete the transfer paperwork and Letter of Authorization quickly and accurately
  
  
• Don't discontinue your old telephone service until your VoIP service is active with your number. If you cancel your phone service, the number reverts to your old carrier and the VoIP provider can't access it
  
  
• Monitor the process in your self-service portal so you can respond to any issues promptly
  
  
• Always respond to updates from your provider that request more information.
  
  

In addition to regular telephone numbers, you can also transfer toll-free numbers to your VoIP provider. To ensure business customers receive uninterrupted service, you may wish to transfer your toll numbers and toll-free numbers in succession rather than all at one time. You will receive a number from the provider while the transfer processes, but you may not want to give it out if you don't plan to keep it.

Non-Transferrable Numbers

Some numbers can't be transferred to specific VoIP providers. If your number isn't portable, your provider will assign you a new number or you can choose a different provider. In some cases, numbers are portable but the request was rejected due to incorrect information on the request. Numbers may not be transferrable for several reasons, including:

• The number is associated with your DSL line
  
  
• The number is wireless
  
  
• The line is associated with features like distinctive ring, which prevents porting
  
  
• A toll-free number directs calls to the line
  
  
• The number is in a rate center that doesn't permit porting
  
  
• The provider doesn't offer service in that rate center
  
  
• The number is disconnected
  
  
• There is already a transfer request in the system
  
  
• The name or address provided on the transfer request don't match those on the number's account
  
  
• The number is not located at the address indicated on the transfer request
  
  
• You've placed a freeze on the account that prevents porting.
  
  

Some of these situations can be resolved if you contact your telephone company to remove services that prohibit porting, try to reactive the number, remove the freeze, direct your toll-free service to a different number, or request a new phone number for your DSL line. Your only option is to get a new number if the number is wireless, not in a transferrable rate center, or can't be reconnected.

Before you make the switch to VoIP, verify that your number is portable and make any corrections to the line to ensure that the transfer will proceed quickly and smoothly.