How to Port Your Landline Number to Cell Phone?
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Landline numbers are regular phone numbers assigned to specific devices using telephone lines. Before the existence of cell phones, it was the only way to contact someone via phone, which used metal or cable wires.
As technology advances, the number of people relying on landlines are decreasing. According to Statista, there were 861 million fixed telephone subscriptions worldwide in 2023, declining since 2009, while mobile users were 7.1 billion in 2021.
Lately, people have switched to even more modern technology, i.e., Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems. With the UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to switch off by 2027, the converting procedure has increased.
Let’s learn how to port your landline number if you do not want to lose it forever.
What Is Phone Number Porting?
Phone number porting is the process of taking your current number from one telecommunication provider to another.
Let’s say you started a business and had a phone number for customers to reach you. However, you found a better tariff plan and decided to shift to a new provider, letting go of the former one. Now, people with your old number can no longer reach you if they do not know your new number. So, to avoid such problems, phone number porting is the solution.
Do not confuse phone number porting with call forwarding. In call forwarding, an incoming call is redirected to a different number from the intended one. Meanwhile, when porting the phone number, the number is switched to a different network provider.
Advantages of Porting Your Number
Having the same phone number maintains your established number identity, making it easy for clients/business partners since they are habituated to it. You will also be exposed to new features with optimized costs.
Here are some other benefits of porting your number:
- Consistency in Your Communication: As stated earlier, most people are used to your existing phone number. If you get a new one, you’ll not only have to inform them but update all the places where you have set your old number.
- Cost Effective: What if you have registered your current number in documents and government agencies? Updating to a new number might cost you considerably. So, porting your number is better to save yourself from such hassle.
- New Features: A good reason to port your number is to get new features from your carrier provider. People are opting for VoIP providers for services like web/app dialers, call filters, monitoring, greeting voice messages, and more.
Things Required for Porting a Landline Number
Initially, provide your active landline number to the new telecommunication provider. Let them know if it is local or toll-free. Then, also tell them about your current provider.
Besides these, you need the following documents to port your landline number.
- Phone Bill/Latest Invoice: An up-to-date phone bill for the latest month.
- Personal Identification Number (PIN): A transfer PIN is mainly associated with US numbers. Contact your provider to find out whether you have a porting pin.
- Letter of Authorization (LOA): A document signed by you allowing the new provider to legally transfer your number.
- Customer Service Record (CSR): An official paper containing significant details about your number; including authorized signer and service address.
How to Port Your Landline Number to Cell Phone?
Firstly, learn if your landline number can be ported or not. Then, inform your landline number provider after choosing a cell phone number provider. Send the necessary details to the latter one and await confirmation and activation.
1. Check If the Number Is Portable and if You’re Eligible for Porting
Furthermore, only authorized users can port numbers. So, ensure the number is registered under your name. If yes, you can start the process yourself. Ask for help from the account administrator if the number is under a business account.
2. Choose the Best Carrier Provider
Alongside helping consumers, choosing a reliable provider will benefit you as well. Aforementioned, many have shifted to VoIP providers. With them, you do not have to worry about network coverage if you have a stable internet connection.
Plus, its different aspects, like call recording, routing, masking, chat reminders, and more, can be beneficial for a firm.
3. Notify the Current Landline Provider
It’s not like you need approval to port your number. Nevertheless, it’s better to give your old provider a notice of your transfer. This allows you to clear outstanding dues, if any, or resolve objections before a smooth transition.
4. Forward Your Information to the Cell Phone Number Provider
After notifying your current provider, send all the needed documents like the phone bill or latest invoice, personal identification number, letter of authorization and customer service record to the new provider.
5. Cancel Former Service
Following the completion of the above-stated steps, wait for verification and activation. Since an active number is required for porting, do not cancel your former service until you have recovered your number.
If you are wondering how long does it takes to port a number, then a landline phone number take somewhere between 3 to 7 days. However, a mobile number can be ported within a couple of hours or a business day.
Port Your Landline Number with Calilio
You can port your landline number with Calilio by following these simple steps:
- Step 1: Sign up with Calilio and access its dashboard.
- Step 2: Go to Settings > My Numbers > Port Existing.
- Step 3: Contact the Support Team through the chatbox, where the Porting Team will check if porting is available for the landline number.
- Step 4: Provide the necessary documents, and they will handle the rest.
- Step 5: Wait 2-4 weeks; you’ll be emailed with the scheduled porting date.
- Step 6: Your landline number will be in My Setting > My Numbers.
- Step 7: Request the removal of the former carrier provider after the porting process is completed.
Tips for Quick Number Porting
Depending on the number type and provider, the timeframe for number porting can vary. Here are some quick tips to speed up the process.
- Triple-check all your documents and ensure they are correct.
- Clear all your dues, which can help you hold up the procedure.
- Pre-inform your current network provider.
- Keep in touch with your provider and be updated with processing details.
Conclusion
Landline numbers are fixed to a device via a line/wire, and there may come a time to replace them. Don't worry; there is always room to port your landline number to mobile phones if you don’t want to change it. While it has advantages, multiple documents are also required to start the procedure. Moreover, you can shift your number with ease by following some steps.
Many people are moving on from traditional carriers to advanced VoIP providers. Port your landline number to Calilio today and take advantage of its modern VoIP system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Transfer My Landline Number to a New Provider?
Send the necessary documents, such as the LOA, CSR, and PIN, to your new provider, and they will start the porting process.
Can I Port a Landline Number to a Cell Phone?
Yes, you can port a landline number to a cell phone by following some steps, such as notifying your carrier providers and providing the necessary papers to start the procedure.
Can I Port a Landline Number to VoIP?
Yes, you can port a landline number to VoIP. However, the process can take longer, considering the resources a VoIP provider uses to overcome the logistical challenges.
How Long Does It Take to Port a Landline Number?
The time duration to port a landline number varies. It may take 3 to 7 business days on average.
How much does it Cost to Port your Landline Number?
You can port your landline number by paying $15-$40. Calilio offers number porting for as low as $12.
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