Category: Porting

Key Takeaways

1. Number porting is the process of transferring your old phone number from one phone service provider to another
2. It’s possible to port a landline number to a new service
3. Porting a landline number is the same process as porting a mobile number however it takes a few extra steps and the process takes a few more days to complete
4. Porting a landline number to a mobile device means your mobile phone number will be replaced with the landline number. It’s important to consider this change and its impact on your communication setup
5. Devyce offers a virtual business phone number solution that allows you to have both your landline number and mobile number operating on one device through their app. By porting your landline number to Devyce, you can avoid the need for a separate handset and enjoy the convenience of managing multiple numbers in one place

Understanding Number Porting

When you switch to a new phone service provider, you’ll have the option to keep your existing number by porting (transferring) it over to the new service provider. You can port both landline and mobile numbers through the same process. The only difference being the time it will take to transfer the number (landline numbers take a bit longer to port). To familiarise yourself further with the number porting process, check out our number porting guide. 

You can also port a landline number to a mobile phone instead of to a different landline. This is important for businesses who have an associated landline number and want to keep using the landline number after the landline switch off. 

Reasons to Port a Landline Number to a Mobile Device

The landline switch off means landline technology will be obsolete by 2025. This however doesn’t mean that landline numbers will go out of use. Landline numbers are particularly beneficial to businesses as studies show that consumers are more likely to trust a business when they see the contact number is a landline [1]. This is because it gives the appearance that the business is well established. Furthermore, depending on the type of business you are running, you may wish to keep a local presence. This can be done most effectively with the area code of landline numbers. 

Traditional landline phones require you to be at a certain location to make and receive calls. Therefore porting your landline number to a mobile device will allow you to work on the go. This ensures your business remains easily reachable even when you need to be on the move or you wish to facilitate remote/hybrid working for your employees. 

Eligibility and Requirements for Landline to Mobile Transfer

Due to the pending landline switch off, you will need to check with both your current landline service provider and the provider you wish to switch to, whether the number can be transferred. This is due to coverage requirements as some providers may not be able to provide service in the specific region of your landline’s area code. Furthermore, certain landline numbers like toll-free numbers may not be eligible for porting. Contact customer support phone lines for the quickest response. If your new provider is able to facilitate porting of landline numbers, you’ll then need to request a PAC code from your previous provider. 

Before porting your landline number, check that you are out of the contract period with your previous provider. Otherwise, there may be exit fees to end your contract early.

How Does Porting a Landline Number to a Mobile Phone Work?

Porting your landline number to a mobile device means you can then use the landline number on your mobile phone. It’s important to note that by transferring your landline number to your mobile device, you will be replacing your mobile phone number with the landline number. This means your mobile phone number will not be in use anymore. 

Steps to Transfer your Landline Number to a Mobile Phone

1. Contact your new provider and ask them whether they would be able to bring your landline number over
2. Get in touch with your previous provider to request a PAC code. For landline numbers, you’ll need to do this over the phone or via email
3. Once you have the PAC code, provide this and the landline number you wish to transfer, to your new mobile provider. You may also need to give some other details to do with your new account with the new provider to confirm identity eg. the email address you used to sign up etc
4. The new provider will handle the transfer process which can take a few days. You should receive a notification when the number has been transferred 

Tips for a Smooth Transfer Process

• Check your contract obligations before making a switch
• Gather all the information you’ll need beforehand eg. account numbers, billing addresses etc. This means you can quickly initiate the porting process when prompted to provide this information to the new provider.
• You may need to provide additional information or fill out any authorisation forms. If your new or current provider requests such information, be sure to complete it promptly or you’ll risk delaying the process. 
• Prepare for downtimes – the porting process takes a few days to complete. However, during this time your landline number can still be used. It’s difficult to predict when there will be an outage. You can enquire with your new and/or previous provider to get an idea of how long it may be and roughly when it might take effect. You’ll then need to accommodate this on your website and other channels such as social media to notify customers and direct them to use other methods to contact your business. 
• After the process is complete, be sure to test that inbound and outbound calls are working well. Raise any flags to your new provider to avoid unexpected outages to your service. 

Porting your landline number to a mobile device has many advantages and is a fairly simple process. If your business number is affected by the landline switch-off, we’d recommend porting your landline number to a mobile device. However, there are limitations to this to bear in mind. Your mobile phone number will be replaced with the landline number. To ensure you have a working landline number on a mobile device, as well as keep your mobile phone number operating, you may choose to purchase an extra device to port your landline number to. However, let us introduce you to a better solution…

Port your Landline Number to Devyce

Instead of purchasing a second handset to accommodate your landline number, why not have both numbers operating on one single device? 

Devyce is a virtual business phone number provider. You get a business number provided through an app so all you’ll need is a good WiFi or data connection to make and receive calls/texts (think along the lines of WhatsApp). This enables you to have two phone numbers on one phone, removing the need to purchase a new phone and set up a new plan with another mobile service provider. 

Signing up for Devyce is simple and we’ll set you up in just a few minutes. Once you’re set up, you can initiate the porting process with us by providing us the PAC code and we’ll transfer your landline number over to your Devyce account within 5 working days. 

Key Takeaways

1. Number porting, or number portability, is the process of transferring your phone number from one service provider to another
2. It’s important because it gives consumers the freedom to choose the best service provider without the hassle of changing their phone number
3. You need to contact your previous service provider and request a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC), which you then provide to your new service provider for them to handle the transfer
4. When requesting a PAC code, you may need to provide security details to verify your identity, and the code is usually valid for 30 days, during which you must initiate the porting process with your new provider
5. It typically takes up to one day to complete, and you’ll receive a text message from your new carrier when it’s done. Porting is possible for both personal and business users, including landline numbers

What is number porting?

Number porting is the process of transferring your previous phone number to a new phone carrier. This allows you to keep using your previous number without being tied to a specific phone service provider. It is also sometimes referred to as number portability.

The importance of number porting

When you purchase a phone number from a phone service provider eg. by setting up a phone contract with them, that phone number is now your legal property. Even though the phone service carrier is providing you with it and its usage, the actual phone number is yours to keep. This means if you wish to switch to a different phone service provider, you’re legally allowed to take that phone number with you. 

Number porting empowers consumers with the freedom to choose the best service provider for their needs, without the fear of losing their familiar phone number. Many people will be using a phone number they’ve had for years and don’t want to go through the hassle of updating their number on important records eg. medical records, each time they decide to switch service providers. Therefore it’s important to understand the process to ensure you have full flexibility with your communications.

How does number porting work?

To initiate the number porting process, you’ll first need to contact your previous phone service provider and request a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC). The code is 9 digits long with a mix of alphabet letters and numbers.  

There are a number of ways you can request a PAC code:

• Calling customer support 
• Filling out an online form found on the service provider’s website (this might not be an option provided by all service providers so be sure to check) and receiving the code by email
• Texting a request keyword to a specific number and receiving the code by text (most carriers now offer this option to request PAC codes. You’ll need to find out what the number and keyword are which can usually be found on their website)

After you get a PAC code, you’ll provide this to your new phone service provider and they will handle the rest of the process to transfer your phone number over.

Number Porting FAQ

What do I need to request a PAC code?

To protect from someone stealing your phone number, you’ll often have to provide some security details to verify your identity. This is particularly important when requesting PAC codes over the phone or by filling out a request form. These questions can be security questions you’d set up when signing up to a phone service provider or more generic questions such as the address you used when signing up.

How long does it take to get a PAC code?

Depending on the method you choose to request a PAC code, you can get the code instantly or up to 1 working day. It can sometimes take a few days depending on when you initiated the process with your previous phone service provider eg. before the weekend. So we recommend you continue using the old sim until a PAC code is provided to you if you want to continue using the same number. 

How long is the PAC code valid for?

The code will be valid for 30 days so you’ll need to initiate the porting process with your new phone service provider within that time. If you are unable to do that, you’ll need to request a new PAC code after 30 days.

What information do I need to provide my new service provider?

To transfer your number, you’ll need to provide the PAC code and phone number you’d like to bring over. Occasionally some additional information may be needed in relation to your new account with the service provider eg. email address and/or the phone number you were issued by them. 

How long do I have to wait for my number to be ported?

After submitting your PAC code to your new service provider, it usually takes up to one day for the process to be completed. During this time you’ll have to start using your new sim card. However you shouldn’t be without service for a significant time to cause disruption to your daily communications. Do bear in mind that if you start the switch process on a Friday, you may have to wait until after the weekend for the process to be completed.

How do I know when the process is completed?

You should receive a text message from your new carrier when the process is complete. Then you can use your phone number as you usually would. 

Is my plan with my previous service provider cancelled after porting?

If you are still within a contract period with the previous service provider, we’d recommend speaking with customer support before you decide to switch providers/initiating a porting process. This is because there will usually be an exit fee for leaving your contract early. However if you aren’t still in contract, you have two options:

1. Contact your service provider to cancel your plan before joining a new service provider. You can still request a PAC code from your old carrier if you leave before signing up with a new one.
2. Let the plan be automatically cancelled by initiating the porting process with your new provider. Usually after transferring your number over, your existing provider’s plan will automatically be cancelled. This is a more seamless process.

Who can port their number?

You can port your number as a personal user or as a business user. Porting a phone number you use for business purposes happens through the same process. 

Can I port landline numbers?

Yes! You can also port landline numbers using the exact same process. However bear in mind you will likely have to call the landline number provider for a PAC code instead of other faster methods such as text message. 

Overall the porting process should be pretty straightforward and shouldn’t take more than 2 days to complete. Whether you’re an individual seeking better service or a business looking to streamline communication, number porting offers a convenient solution for seamless transitions. By transferring your existing phone number to a new service provider, you can maintain continuity in communication without the hassle of changing phone numbers. This customer-centric approach empowers individuals and businesses to make informed choices in selecting the best service provider for their needs. With the assurance that number porting is a quick and efficient process, you can confidently explore new opportunities while staying connected to the people and networks that matter most to you. 

Porting your number to Devyce

Got Devyce for your business communications and want to keep using the phone number that you’re customers know you by? It’s no worries! 

If you aren’t familiar with Devyce, it’s a virtual business phone number provider. This means you can have two working phone numbers, on your existing phone. Devyce works the way WhatsApp does so all you’ll need is the app and good wifi or data connection. 

When signing up for Devyce, you can either use the phone number we provide or port an existing business phone number to us. These can be both mobile numbers or landline numbers. 

To port your business number to us, simply fill out the porting form on our website once you have your PAC code. Alternatively, you can give us a call on our support line to provide us with your details and PAC code or you may wish to email us. We’ll get your mobile number over to us in under 24 hours and it can take up to 3 business days for landline numbers. 

If you’re in need of a virtual business communications solution, find out more on our website.