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Porting telephone numbers
Number porting refers to the ability to transfer a telephone number assigned by one carrier and reassign it to another carrier. In most cases, there are limitations to who a number can be transferred to with regards to geography, service area coverage and technology.
If you already have a UK non-geographic number (0870, 0800, 0808, 0845 or 09 PRS) and would like to take port the number to adifferent carrier then this is a painless process asuuming that you have the correct details of the existing carrier.
How to port your number
Porting your number is a very simple procedure designed to cause little or no interruption to your service.
In order to do this the following steps should be followed:
1. You first need to give the new provider the authority to request your number from your incumbent provider. This is done by downloading a template document, completing all the details and then sending, faxing or posting to the new provider for processing. Including the top copy of your bill from your current provider always helps as the details provided do need to be 100% accurate.
NOTE: The document must be printed on your headed paper and all contact and address details completed exactly as on your last bill.
2. Once your new provider has received your signed authority, they will arrange for a date and time for the number to be ported with your provider. At this point the existing provider will check the details and if issues arise seek calrification, this can take time as although there are SLAs set by OFCOM the providers are obligated to reject ports if the details are incorrect.
3. Switchover is arranged and takes place. The actual switchover takes seconds and is usually carried out at midnight on a day of inactivity (e.g. weekends).
Although the actual port or switchover takes seconds, the administrative processes to arrange it can take a good deal longer, we like to allow 15 days from receipt of your completed request, this varies depending upon the type of number being ported the cuurent provider and the new provider. All UK numbers no matter the current provider can be ported to BT.
If you need porting advice then please call us 0870 626 0626.