How to Keep Your Phone Number When Switching Carriers?

Phone number porting means switching from one phone carrier to another while keeping your existing phone number. It transfers your phone number to a new phone service along with all your contact numbers.

While you might be tempted to switch your phone service provider when inconveniences occur, you should only consider it if the problem persists. You should consider switching to a different phone carrier if you have been facing consistent issues that hamper your everyday communication, such as:
 

• Communication interruption.
• Issues with mobile data coverage.
• There is no information on carrier plan changes.
• Expensive service fees.
• Inefficient customer assistance.

Once you switch your phone carrier with the same number, consider a few things for successful number porting. Researching might help avoid common mistakes while switching phone carriers.
 

• You must keep your current carrier service active until the porting process is complete.
• Check contracts and look for details on termination fees, activation fees, and contract dates in your current telecom service provider’s contract.
• If your phone is ‘Locked’ into one network, it won’t work with your new carrier, so ensure your SIM card is ‘Unlocked.’
• Check for any Early Termination Fees (ETF) due or outstanding balances.
• Compare multiple providers and analyze their coverage, costs, and data limits to find the best fit for your needs.
• Read customer service reviews and check for Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints (criticism regarding the service provided).
• Review the terms and conditions document to understand the requirements and constraints of both your future carrier.
• Assure your phone is compatible with the new carrier’s network.
• Ask about miscellaneous fees like activation fees and SIM card charges to your new carrier.
• Look for additional offerings such as free or discounted streaming services, unlimited data, mobile hotspots, and other deals.
• Once you decide on your new service provider, initiate the porting process.

Note: You must provide your new carrier with accurate information and submit your recent phone bills from your existing carrier (not older than 30 days).

There are a few fundamental requirements to switch phone carriers and keep your number. You must submit all the necessary documents for a smooth telecom provider transition.
 

1. Your phone number must be in the E.164 format;  [+][country code][subscriber number including area code].
2. Provide a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to your new phone carrier.
3. Submit a Copy of Bill (COB) from the last 30 days to your new carrier.
4. Submit your Customer Service Record (CSR) consisting of your account number and a 4-digit PIN from your current carrier.

You can switch phone carriers and keep your number by porting your phone number to a new telephone carrier or a VoIP phone system. Understanding these options helps you decide which one best suits your needs.

When you port your phone number to another telephone carrier, you get a new physical SIM from your new phone service provider. It lets you make and receive calls and SMS through the same phone number you have been using.
 

1. Contact the new carrier and provide all necessary documents.
2. Ensure your current account details, including your phone number, are accurate.
3. Once your porting request is approved, you get a new SIM card.
4. Replace your old SIM card with the new one

You should visit a store or wait for delivery of the SIM. Additionally, you might face some downtime during the transition as the number porting is processed.

Porting your phone number to a VoIP phone system offers more flexibility and modern features. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows you to port your number to a cloud-based phone system that enables you to make and receive calls on any device—a smartphone, tablet, or computer—without needing a physical SIM card.

 When you transfer your phone number to the VoIP platform, your physical phone number becomes virtual. Beyond making and receiving calls, you can use a range of VoIP features, including call forwarding and number sharing, with a virtual phone number. 

VoIP ensures that your service remains uninterrupted during the porting process, as the switch is managed entirely online.

 Calilio allows you to port your number irrespective of your number type, be it a local phone number, mobile phone number, toll-free number, or VoIP number. Follow the steps below to port your phone number to Calilio and keep your phone number when switching carriers.
 

1. Visit Calilio and create an account.
2. Upon login, go to Settings >My Numbers> Port Existing.
3. Our support team will consult you with all the requirements.
4. Submit all the required documents.
5. After reviewing your documents, we’ll port your phone number to Calilio.
    

Porting a phone number typically takes between a few hours to a few days - generally up to 10 days, depending on various factors such as the type of number being ported and the carriers involved. During the process, your service with the old carrier must remain active until the porting is fully completed to avoid disruptions in communication. Additionally, submitting all necessary documents accurately expedites the process for successful number porting.

You will need a physical SIM if you switch to a traditional mobile phone carrier; however, you will not need a physical SIM if you switch to a VoIP service.

Porting moves your existing phone number to a new carrier, while call forwarding keeps your number with the old carrier and only forwards calls to another number.

Consider switching phone carriers when you face consistent issues with your present carrier and find a better plan, coverage, and features with another carrier.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), simple ports that do not involve multiple lines or complex equipment changes should be processed within one business day. Similarly, if you are switching between wireless service providers, it might take a few hours.

If you have a phone installment plan, you may need to wait until it's paid off or pay the remaining balance before switching carriers.