What Is VoIP Number Porting? How Does It Work?

Switching phone service providers doesn’t have to mean changing the number your existing customers already know. VoIP number porting saves the day by helping you maintain business continuity and avoid updating your contact information.

Whether you need to port a mobile number, a toll-free number, or a regular phone number to your new VoIP phone service, it helps you keep your business number the one your clients know and trust.

This guide explains what VoIP number porting is, its key benefits, the requirements for a successful port, common roadblocks that can delay the process and how to avoid them, plus practical tips to help ensure a smooth transition.

VoIP Number Porting At a Glance

Planning to switch providers? This quick reference table answers the most common questions about VoIP number porting, including timelines, eligibility, and what to expect during the transfer.

Question	Answer	What you need to know
Can I keep my phone number?	Yes, in most cases	FCC rules protect your right to port eligible phone numbers between providers.
How long does porting take?	Typically 5-10 business days	Simple local numbers usually take about a week. Complex, multiple-line, or toll-free ports may take 2-4 weeks.
Does my service stop during porting?	Usually no	Keep your current service active until the port is complete to minimize any service interruption.
Is there an FCC right to keep my number?	Yes	Eligible numbers can generally be ported between providers if they remain within the same rate center.
Can mobile numbers be ported?	Yes	Most mobile numbers can be transferred to a VoIP provider if they meet the carrier’s porting requirements.
Can landlines be ported?	Usually yes	Most business and residential landline numbers can be ported to a VoIP service if they’re eligible.
Can toll-free numbers be ported?	Yes	Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833) are portable, although verification may take longer than local numbers.

What Is VoIP Number Porting?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) number porting allows you to retain your existing phone number when switching to a new VoIP service provider. This way, you can keep your familiar phone number even when switching to a new service.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that telephone numbers be portable between providers. The local number portability rules allow eligible customers to keep their numbers as long as you remain within the same geographic area, also known as a rate center.

The rate center determines the phone number and area code assigned to you.

As long as you stay within those geographic limits, your new VoIP provider should be able to port your existing number to their service. This means you won’t have to go through the hassle of updating your contact information on business cards, websites, and with your customers.

You get a VoIP phone number (a virtual number) when you sign up for a VoIP service from a telecom provider. The VoIP provider will assign you a new phone number that routes calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.

However, with number portability, you have the option to transfer or “port” an existing phone number that you already have from a previous provider (VoIP or traditional landline service) to your new VoIP service. This allows you to keep using a familiar number that may already be known to customers, friends, family, etc.

Number portability is a significant advantage for small businesses looking to lower their communication costs by switching to a more affordable VoIP provider. It eliminates the disruption and inconvenience of changing phone numbers, ensuring a seamless transition.

The porting process should be straightforward, whether you’re moving from a traditional plain old telephone service (POTS) or another VoIP provider. However, improperly delays or rejects an eligible port request, the FCC recommends contacting your local public utilities commission as a last resort. Customers can file complaints with the FCC for porting issues.

Why Businesses Choose to Port Numbers to VoIP

Businesses typically port their phone numbers when changing providers or modernizing their phone system and business communications. Instead of giving customers a new number, they transfer their existing one to maintain continuity while taking advantage of cloud-based communications.

Common reasons businesses choose to port their numbers include:

• Moving from a traditional phone system to VoIP: Replace aging landline infrastructure while keeping the business number customers already recognize.
• Switching VoIP providers: Change providers for better pricing, features, reliability, or customer support without changing your phone number.
• Consolidating multiple locations: Bring numbers from different offices or departments onto a single VoIP platform for easier management.
• Supporting remote and hybrid teams: Give employees access to business calls on desktop and mobile devices while keeping one consistent business number.
• Business relocation or expansion: Move offices or open new locations without disrupting customer communications or updating your contact number.

Example: A growing business with offices in multiple cities can port multiple lines into a single VoIP platform. Employees manage calls from one system, while customers continue using the same business numbers they’re already familiar with.

Benefits of VoIP Number Porting

Porting your existing phone number unlocks several benefits when switching VoIP services:

Business continuity

Keep your current number to avoid the hassle of notifying everyone in your contacts of a change while maintaining customer familiarity. This is a lifesaver for businesses that rely on established phone numbers on marketing materials, websites, and more. No need for costly reprints or website updates.

Less missed calls

Without porting, customers may continue calling your old number, increasing the risk of missed calls and lost business opportunities. Porting keeps your existing business phone number active on your new VoIP service, helping customers reach you without interruption and maintaining business continuity throughout the transition.

Better online presence

Your business phone number is likely embedded in online listings, website contact info, and email signatures. Porting keeps your online identity consistent and avoids the need for updating business materials across various platforms.

Faster setup

Porting allows your new provider to activate your service quickly, using your familiar number. This is much faster than waiting for a new phone number to be assigned. With temporary numbers or call forwarding available from many providers, your team can begin using the new system while the number transfer is still in progress.

Improved customer service

Customers are familiar with your existing number and are more likely to call it. Porting your number enables a smooth transition to the new service without interrupting customer communication.

Increased flexibility

VoIP services offer features like call forwarding and voicemail to any device, allowing you to work remotely or manage calls on the go. Porting your number maintains this flexibility without requiring customers to update their contact information.

Cost savings

You may also avoid termination fees from your current carrier. Also, saving on the cost of printing new business cards, stationery, and marketing materials with a new number can add up. Porting your number keeps your existing branding consistent and saves money. It also protects your existing marketing investment by keeping the same number

The benefits of porting your number are significant. You’ll experience a smooth transition, all while getting set up quickly with your new VoIP provider. For both individuals and businesses, porting your number makes switching providers a hassle-free experience.

How Does VoIP Number Porting Work?

There are a few things you should know before starting the VoIP porting process. Here’s how VoIP porting typically works:

1) Contact your new VoIP provider about porting numbers

When signing up with a new VoIP provider like Nextiva, inform them that you need to port your existing phone number(s) over. This may need to be specified in the contract and could involve an additional porting fee from some providers.

Just to be clear — there’s no charge to port your number to Nextiva. 

2) Maintain your current phone service

Do not cancel your existing phone service until after the port is completed. This avoids any interruption in service during the porting process. If a quick transition is needed, ask your new VoIP provider for temporary numbers to forward calls while the port is pending.

3) Provide account details for a Letter of Agency (LOA)

Your new provider requires a Letter of Agency (LOA) authorization to verify and approve the number port request. You’ll need to provide accurate account information like account numbers, PINs, tax IDs, etc. Have recent billing statements ready that must match your current provider’s records exactly.

4) Comply with porting requirements

There are typical porting requirements like the numbers being active, no pending orders on the lines, accounting for any outstanding balances, service frozen for some time, etc. During this stage, the providers coordinate with each other. Your new provider manages the port request, communicates with your old provider, and handles the technical aspects of the transfer.

5) Port processing timeline

The porting process timeline can vary but generally takes 5-10 business days for simple ports once all requirements are met. More complex ports with multiple numbers or toll-free numbers could take 2-4 weeks.

6) Port completion

Once the port is completed successfully, the phone numbers are now active on the new VoIP service. You can cancel the old service after testing the ported numbers.

Proper planning, maintaining your existing service until completion, and providing accurate account data ensure a smooth VoIP number porting process with minimal disruption.

Number Porting vs. Call Forwarding: What’s the Difference?

Number porting and call forwarding are often confused because both allow customers to reach your business using the same phone number. However, they work differently. During the porting process, your current service remains active until the transfer is complete. With call forwarding, your original phone service stays active because it continues routing calls to another number.

Feature	Number porting	Call forwarding
Purpose	Permanently transfers your phone number to a new provider.	Temporarily redirects calls to another phone number.
Ownership	Your new provider becomes the service provider for the number.	Your original provider continues to own and manage the number.
Existing service	Can usually be cancelled after the port is complete.	Must remain active for forwarding to continue.
Typical setup time	Usually takes several business days, depending on the provider and number type.	Can typically be enabled within minutes.
Best for	Businesses changing phone providers while keeping the same number.	Temporary call routing during travel, outages, or the porting process.

Using Call Forwarding During Number Porting

If you’re switching to a VoIP provider and want to keep your existing business number long-term, you’ll need number porting, not call forwarding. Number porting and call forwarding can work together during a provider transition.

If your new VoIP phone system is ready before the number port is complete, you can temporarily forward calls from your existing phone service to your new VoIP number. This allows your team to start using the new system while customers continue calling the same business number.

Once the port is complete, your new VoIP provider takes over the number, call forwarding is no longer necessary, and you can cancel your previous phone service if your provider advises it’s safe to do so.

Types of Numbers You Can Port

The porting process depends on the type of number you’re transferring and your current service provider. Most VoIP providers support the following types of number ports.

Local number porting

Local number porting lets you transfer a local business or residential phone number from one provider to another while keeping the same number. This is the most common type of port and is ideal for businesses switching to a VoIP phone system without changing the number customers already use.

Toll-free number porting

Businesses can also port toll-free numbers, such as 800, 888, 877, or other toll-free prefixes. Porting a toll-free number allows you to maintain a familiar contact number while changing service providers.

Mobile number porting

In most cases, mobile phone numbers can be transferred to a VoIP provider if they’re eligible for porting. This option is useful for businesses that want to convert a mobile number into a shared business line or manage calls through a unified communications platform.

Landline number porting

Traditional landline numbers can often be ported to VoIP, allowing businesses to replace legacy phone systems with internet-based calling while keeping their existing phone number. Eligibility may vary depending on your service location and whether your major carrier supports porting for that number.

Bulk or multi-line porting

Businesses with multiple phone numbers can often port them together in a single request. Bulk porting is commonly used during office relocations, provider migrations, or when consolidating several locations into one business phone system. Larger ports may require additional planning and can take longer than a single-number transfer.

Requirements and Considerations for Porting

Here are some key points to consider before porting your VoIP number:

• Eligibility: Not all phone numbers are eligible for porting. For example, some prepaid phone numbers might have restrictions. Check with your current provider for any limitations.
• Account status: Your account with the current carrier should be in good standing and have no outstanding balances, and you should provide details like the billing address and account number for a Letter of Authorization (LOA).
• Information gathering: Gather all necessary account details and billing statements beforehand to expedite the process.
• Porting fees: Some providers might charge a porting fee for releasing your phone number, while others like Nextiva don’t charge anything extra to port numbers with them as your new carrier. Check about potential porting fees.
• Downtime: Be prepared for a brief service interruption during the number transfer. Inform your contacts about potential temporary unavailability.

Once you’ve signed the contract, you’ll need to provide your new vendor with a list of information so they can begin the phone number porting process.

• A list of all your phone numbers: It includes all extensions that may be in use.
• Letter of Authorization or LOA: Allows your new vendor to act on your behalf with the old vendor. It provides important information about who can make decisions on the number(s) in question.
• Customer service record (CSR): Some providers may request a CSR, an official snapshot from your current carrier containing your exact billing address, authorized owner name, BTN, and active DIDs.
• Old vendor and account number: The two vendors will communicate with each other to complete the process.
• Copy of current phone bill: Have the necessary information in an easy format for the new provider and provide additional proof of phone number ownership.

Challenges With VoIP Number Porting 

While porting a phone number is usually straightforward, delays and issues can sometimes occur. Most challenges fall into one of two categories: situations where your number can’t be ported and issues that may delay the transfer.

When your phone number can’t be ported

These are significant problems that inhibit you from porting your phone number. While the FCC requires numbers to be portable, there are a few exceptions that could occur:

• Incomplete rate center: Your new VoIP provider doesn’t yet have coverage in your area and can’t port numbers there.
• The number is no longer in service: If your phone number is no longer active or has been disconnected, portability becomes impossible.
• No interconnect agreement: VoIP providers must have an interconnection agreement with the telephone carrier that currently holds that phone number.
• Geographic restrictions: Some geographic areas or numbering plans may have restrictions on porting numbers across different rate centers or service areas.

If you find yourself in one of these situations, unfortunately, you’ll have to find an alternative to porting your number or select a new one.

Common issues that can delay porting

The second set of problems that may arise is generally fixable, albeit sometimes time-consuming. These issues include:

• The phone line is DSL: If you have a DSL line, unless the DSL provider allows a “dry loop” (a phone line without an associated dial tone), you may need an additional phone number. Always check with your DSL provider before attempting to port a DSL phone number.
• Incorrect contact information: When your name and address differ from those on the porting order request, you might have to provide additional proof to demonstrate phone number ownership. If the service address is different than the address on the porting request, you might be able to request a correction.
• Toll-free 800 number redirect: If the number being ported is being redirected to a toll-free number, you may need to allow extra time to complete the porting process.
• The old telephone number is already disconnected: You might have to take a few extra steps to get your number ported if it’s already been disconnected by the previous provider. You must reactivate the line with the legacy carrier first before submitting a port request.
• Telephone number not found: User error can occur when inputting a phone number, resulting in the number not being found in the carrier’s database.
• Account issues: Outstanding balances, account closures, or other issues with the current provider may need to be resolved before porting can proceed.

The good news is that while most of these issues are inconvenient, the porting process is generally not impossible with some additional effort. Clear communication with your new and old providers can help resolve many of these challenges.

*Digital Subscriber Line. “Dry loop DSL” is a telephone line without an associated dial tone.

How to Choose a New VoIP Provider

Moving your phone numbers to a new system shouldn’t be a headache. Here’s how to pick the perfect VoIP phone system for a smooth transition and long-term communication success:

1. Features: Identify your communication needs. Does your team require call recording, video conferencing, or a virtual receptionist? Choose a provider that offers the features you use most.
2. Pricing: Compare pricing plans that fit your call volume and team size. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Consider unlimited calling or bundled minutes, and explore discounts for annual subscriptions or multi-user accounts.
3. Customer service: Ensure the provider offers reliable and amazing customer service 24/7 through phone, email, and live chat. Research their customer satisfaction ratings to gauge their responsiveness.
4. Porting services: Verify the provider offers VoIP number porting and understand their process and timelines. Ask about success rates, potential downtime, and temporary call forwarding options to minimize disruption.
5. Reliability and call quality: Evaluate the provider’s network infrastructure, redundancy measures, and quality of service (QoS) for consistent, high-quality calls. Ensure they comply with industry standards and support the codecs you need.
6. Scalability: Consider your future growth. Choose a provider that scales seamlessly as your team expands, call volume increases, or you integrate with new business tools.
7. Mobile and desktop apps: If your team works remotely, make sure your new VoIP provider offers mobile and desktop apps for uninterrupted communication from any device via voice calls or SMS.
8. Integration capabilities: Does the VoIP system integrate with your existing CRM, helpdesk, or team collaboration tools? Streamline workflows and boost productivity with seamless integrations.
9. Security and compliance: The provider should prioritize data security with robust encryption protocols. Make sure they comply with industry regulations relevant to your business, like HIPAA or GDPR.

Port Your Numbers With Nextiva

VoIP number porting is a convenient way to maintain your existing phone number when switching VoIP providers. You get seamless customer communication and avoid the hassle of updating contact information.

Understand the benefits, processes, and considerations involved when porting your number.

Above all, choose the best VoIP provider for your needs. Nextiva’s VoIP phone system offers a wealth of new features, greater functionality, and friendly and helpful customer service.

Work with a proven VoIP service provider, like Nextiva, to ensure a streamlined, successful porting process.

Frequently Asked Questions About VoIP Number Porting