The number one fear when switching phone providers: losing your business phone number. After managing 300+ number ports, here is everything you need to know.
Your Numbers Belong to You
By FCC regulation, you have the legal right to port (transfer) your phone numbers to any carrier. Your current provider cannot refuse or unreasonably delay the port. This is federal law since the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Timeline
| Number Type | Timeline | Can It Be Faster? |
|---|---|---|
| Local numbers | 7-14 business days | Sometimes 3-5 days |
| Toll-free (800/888/877) | 2-4 weeks | Rarely under 2 weeks |
| Fax numbers | 7-14 business days | Same as local |
| International | 4-8 weeks | Depends on country |
The Process
Day 1: You give your new provider four things:
- Current provider name and account number
- Authorized name on the account (must match exactly)
- Account PIN or password
- Copy of a recent invoice
Your new provider submits the port request. You do nothing else.
Day 2-4: Your current provider reviews and either approves or rejects the request. Common rejection reasons:
| Rejection Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Name does not match | Use the exact name from your bill |
| Wrong account number | Check invoice — use account number, not customer ID |
| PIN incorrect | Call current provider to verify or reset |
| Outstanding balance | Pay any past-due amount |
Day 7-14: Port completes. Your numbers switch to the new provider. This usually happens between 10 AM and 2 PM. There is a brief interruption of 15-30 minutes during the cutover.
During the transition: Your old system stays active. Calls continue routing normally until the exact moment of port completion. No gap in service.
What Your Old Provider Cannot Do
They cannot:
- Refuse to release your numbers (it is your legal right)
- Charge a porting fee (push back if they try)
- Deactivate your numbers before port completes
- Delay beyond the standard timeline without valid reason
Red Flags in New Provider Contracts
Watch for:
- 90-day number lock (prevents porting OUT for 90 days)
- Number ownership clauses (your numbers are yours, not theirs)
- Early termination fees that increase porting cost
platforms like VestaCall (https://vestacall.com) that include everything in the base price offers unrestricted porting with no lock periods — because they keep customers through service quality, not contractual traps. Get written confirmation of porting terms before signing with anyone.
