Many people having switched their service to VoIP, are deciding to port their existing numbers to that provider.  Businesses, who are dependant on keeping their same numbers which their customers already know, are also deciding to port their numbers.  So as a helpful guide and resource we have included some information that may prove useful when trying to successfully port your numbers.  Local Number Portability (LNP) allows US telephone customers to retain their telephone numbers and move them to other local service providers in most cases.

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Porting numbers, the process.

The first steps are important to complete right away, so that the process starts quickly on a good footing.

You should always check with your new provider and follow their guidelines and paperwork requirements when starting the porting process, but in most cases that new provider is going to need a LOA (Letter of Authorization).  An LOA is a document that authorizes the new VoIP provider to act on your behalf and make a request to your existing telephone provider to obtain your numbers.  This document usually has a place for such information as name, address, telephone numbers and a signature and needs to be filled out and faxed to your new provider.  Along with the LOA, many providers need a copy of a current phone bill.  The reason for this is in actuality the bill will have much of the exact information on file with your current telephone company that must match the port request that the VoIP provider submits.  These bills need to have an actual physical address displayed as PO boxes will be a problem.

After the request (LSR) has been submitted and everything is in order, the next major step is Awaiting FOC (Firm Order Commitment), a stage where the port request is in the works, but not yet has a completion date.  But, if there is a problem or error it will be after the submittal and a rejection notice will be issued, usually with a reason code.  Two major types of error codes are typical, one type that states that the number is not portable to the provider that you want to port to, and a second type that indicates a problem.  Usually the first type of declines cannot be remedied by anything within your powers and include the following:

• The rate center is not complete.  This means that the provider that you want to port your number to does not have that area ready yet to port numbers to, but will sometime soon.
• A wireless number.  In most cases, it is not possible to port wireless cell phone numbers to VoIP.
• No ICA.  The provider that you want to port to does not have an Interconnect Agreement in place with the telephone company that holds the number.
• Number is no longer in service.

The second type of declines include services on the line and these types of errors may be fixed or corrected in a way that will allow the number to be ported.

• There is a distinctive ring on the line.
• The line is a DSL line.  Note: If DSL exists, unless the DSL provider allows Dryloop, an associated phone number is probably needed for that connection.  Check with the DSL provider before attempting to port a DSL number.
• End user is already porting the numbers.
• Name and address are different that those on the request.
• Billing names do not match.
• Customer has requested a freeze be placed on the account that prevents the numbers from being ported.
• The service address is different than the address on the request.
• A toll free 800 number is being directed to the number being ported.
• Telephone number is already disconnected.
• Telephone number not found.

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Porting toll free numbers.

Telecom laws have been enacted that make a toll free number belong to the customer and not the phone company.  This allows toll free numbers to be ported like other regular phone numbers, given that certain rules and conditions apply.  In most cases, following the guidelines above, LOA and a copy of the phone bill should suffice to port your toll free numbers, but they normally take longer than traditional numbers to port.

"One of the most important steps in porting is to fill out the LOA correctly, making sure it is accurate and legible and fax it along with a complete phone bill to your VoIP provider."

 

"We like to create a smooth transition for both the business and home user."

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How long should the process take?

Different VoIP providers vary, but a good rule of thumb would be as follows:

NOTE: New FCC mandates now state that LNP rules apply to VoIP providers.  This includes porting out numbers as well as porting in numbers.

• Normal phone numbers with the correct information sent at the first submittal - 2 days (48 hours), as stated in the FCC ruling.
• Toll free 800 numbers typically take 30 plus days, with some providers taking even longer.

 

Important these are the new FCC rules that mandates LNP include VoIP providers.  This ruling states numbers must be able to be ported both in and out of VoIP providers.  And the ruling states that they must be done within 48 hours.  

This ruling was mandated in October, 2007, but due to the complexity of complying in such a short time period the FCC granted a waiver for companies to comply until 7/31/2008 (*except for Embarq which has until 9/30/2008 to comply).