When you change your phone system, customers will still call and text your old business phone number — and expect you to be there. Missing these calls can lead to frustrated customers, lost sales, and extra work for your team.
The good news is VoIP number porting is a seamless process that lets you keep your business number running with zero disruptions. Here’s what you need to know about porting your phone number to a new VoIP provider.
What is VoIP number porting?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It’s the technology that lets you make calls using an internet connection, not traditional landline or mobile networks.
VoIP number porting lets you keep your existing phone number when you move from your current phone provider to a VoIP one. You can move to VoIP from:
- Landlines
- A traditional cell phone carrier
- Another VoIP provider
According to the Federal Communications Commission, the FCC:
“Once you request service from a new company, your old company cannot refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.”
💡Important: Porting isn’t always guaranteed. For example, you might not be able to keep your established business number if you’re moving to a new geographic area. The FCC also notes,“Some rural wireline service providers may obtain waivers for the porting requirement from state authorities. Their customers may be unable to port their number to a new provider. If you are unable to port your number for that reason, contact your state public utilities commission for further information.”
Why port your number to VoIP
The porting process involves a few steps. But it’s worth it. The VoIP market is expected to grow from $179.65B to $453.75B by 2035, a 253% increase.
Here’s why so many businesses are making the switch:
- Avoid losing customers. Keep your old number so customers can reach you without confusion or missed calls. This improves service and helps you keep things running with little downtime.
- Faster setup. You don’t need to wait weeks and pay a fortune for new hardware. VoIP works on the devices you already have — like your laptop, smartphone, or tablet — so you’re up and running fast.
- Beyond just calls. Traditional phones offer the basics: call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calling. VoIP goes further. Depending on your VoIP provider, you can get texting automations, CRM integrations, call recording, and more.
- Lower costs: VoIP costs much less than traditional phone services. When you port your number, you don’t have to maintain legacy lines, advertise a new number, or pay long-distance calling fees.
- Brand and online presence consistency: Your phone number is part of your brand identity — it’s on your business cards, website, ads, and more. Porting it ensures consistency across channels.
- Remote work flexibility: VoIP solutions let you work from anywhere with an internet connection. You can use your computer, mobile phone, or tablet to take calls and send messages.
Complete VoIP number porting in these 6 steps
The phone number porting process only takes a few steps, whether you’re switching solutions for the first time or moving to a new VoIP phone provider.
Here’s what it takes to port out your number to a new provider:
1. Let your current provider know you want to port out
Giving your current provider a heads-up that you’re porting out can help you avoid delays on either end of the porting process. Your current provider won’t have to do anything right away, but it’s important to inform them in advance.
2. Send the required information to your new provider
The faster you get your paperwork in, the faster your number moves. Several factors can affect how long it takes to port your number, so sending everything upfront speeds up the process.
Here’s what your new provider will need:
✅ Letter of Authorization, or an LOA. This document confirms you’re the rightful owner of the number and authorizes the transfer. It protects you against unauthorized ports. Make sure the name and number on your LOA match your phone bill exactly.
✅ Recent phone bill or invoice. This should include your phone number, name, and billing address.
✅ Account number. You can find your account number on your bill or by contacting your current provider.
✅ List of phone lines you want to port.
Your new VoIP provider may ask for some additional information:
- The name of your old provider
- If your number is toll-free, local US, or local Canadian
- If your account is registered under a business name or a personal name
- If the number you’re porting is mobile, landline, or VoIP
- If you plan to port multiple numbers to your new provider — make sure to communicate this clearly in writing to your provider
- If your current provider has a port-out PIN. Sometimes called a transfer PIN, this is usually associated with US numbers. Keep in mind not all providers have a PIN, but you can check with your current provider to verify.
3. Maintain your current phone service until porting is complete
To avoid service disruptions, wait until your port is complete before closing your current account. This way, you can continue making and receiving calls while your new provider works their magic.
Your new carrier will let you know your port date, after which you can cancel your old service. If you cancel your service before the porting process is finished, you risk losing your phone number and experiencing delays.
💡Pro tip: To ensure a smooth transition, consider forwarding your calls to another number during the porting process. For example, you can forward them to a local or toll-free number you get when you sign up with Quo.
4. Keep in mind typical timelines for VoIP number porting
Porting numbers can vary when you change your phone number to a VoIP provider. For example, it can depend on how responsive your new and current providers are. So if both providers respond quickly to the porting request, the process can go faster.
The process takes 5–7 business days for US numbers. With Canadian numbers, it takes about 10–12 business days.
Remember to ensure you provide accurate account information, as any errors can cause delays.
How to check your VoIP porting status
Your new provider should keep you updated on the status of your VoIP number porting. For example, here’s how to track your port on Quo:
Email updates. Quo sends status updates to your account email throughout the process. Keep an eye out for:
- Initial confirmation
- Carrier response updates
- Port date notification
- Completion confirmation
In-app status. You can also view the progress of your VoIP number porting in-app. Here’s how:
- Click on your pending port number.
- Select Phone number settings.
- View your current status and any required actions.
Haven’t heard anything? Reach out directly to your new provider’s porting department. They should be able to give you a live update on where things stand.
5. Complete your A2P 10DLC registration for texting US customers
To text customers with US phone numbers, you’ll need to complete A2P 10DLC registration. This newer registration requirement applies if you use any cloud phone service to prevent spam and fraud. But why do you have to bother? Here’s what the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association says:
“If the message sender is a business or other entity,… the traffic is Non-Consumer. Non-consumer senders are expected to obtain a consumer’s consent before messaging… An authentication and validation process should be used to verify the message sender’s authority to enable non-consumer messaging for a specific telephone number.”
Depending on your provider, you might be able to register to meet this requirement before starting the porting process. That way, once you’ve ported your number, you can text with as few delays as possible. For example, Quo lets you complete registration directly from its web or desktop app before porting over a local US or Canadian number.
6. Cancel your old service
Once the porting process is complete and you can successfully make calls and send texts from your new VoIP number, it’s safe to cancel service with your current carrier.
How much does VoIP number porting cost?
Porting numbers into and out of Quo is free. But some providers may charge a porting fee or termination fee, depending on the terms of your contract.
For example, Google Voice charges a one-time $20 fee to port a mobile number into their service. Or if you got a number from Google Voice, you may need to pay $3 to move it to another provider.
So while many VoIP providers, like Quo, offer porting services for free, traditional carriers may charge between $5–$30. Always confirm with your old and new providers to avoid surprise fees.
Challenges that can delay VoIP number porting
Many number porting issues and delays are preventable. Here’s what to watch out for and how to fix it:
1. Information mismatch
Your request may be rejected if your name, address, or account number don’t exactly match what your current carrier has on file. Even a small typo can cause a holdup.
The solution? Contact your current provider before submitting your request to confirm the exact details they have on file. Double-check your LOA matches your phone bill.
2. Unauthorized contact
If the person submitting the porting request isn’t listed as an authorized account holder or manager, the request will be rejected. This is common with business plans where only certain users have administrative control.
The solution? Confirm who the authorized account holder is before starting the process and make sure they’re the one signing the LOA.
3. Slow carrier response
Your current provider is legally required to process your port request, but response times vary. Some carriers drag their feet, especially if you’re leaving.
The solution? Follow up with your current provider directly to see if they can prioritize the release. Your new provider’s porting team may also be able to escalate on your behalf.
4. Outstanding account issues
An unpaid balance won’t block your port. The FCC requires carriers to release your number regardless. But unresolved account issues, like a frozen or suspended account, can still cause delays.
The solution? Make sure your account is in good standing and clear any outstanding balances before submitting your request. And keep in mind, you’ll still owe outstanding balances or early termination fees to your old provider even after porting.
5. Complex or multi-line numbers
Some numbers can take longer to port due to technical complexity. Think numbers with features like call forwarding or specialized call groups. The VoIP porting process might also take longer if the numbers are spread across multiple lines.
The solution? Let your new provider know upfront if your number has any special configurations. They can plan accordingly and reduce delays.
6. Porting a landline or international number
Moving a landline number or porting a number from outside the US can take longer than a standard mobile port. Some international numbers aren’t portable at all.
The solution? Check with your new provider early to confirm your number is portable and get a realistic timeline before you start.
7. Non-portable numbers
Some numbers simply can’t be ported. This includes numbers that are inactive, disconnected, or in an area where your new provider doesn’t have coverage.
The solution? Verify your number is active and that your new service provider covers your geographic area before submitting a request. But there’s no workaround here. If your number falls into one of these categories, you’ll need to get a new phone number.
8. Skipped steps that can stall your port
Some ports require extra steps that are easy to overlook. Let’s say you’re porting a Canadian number. This requires you to respond to an authentication text from your current carrier within 90 minutes. Miss it, and your request is canceled.
Similarly, if you plan to send business texts, you’ll need to complete A2P 10DLC registration before porting. This can take weeks in some cases.
The solution? Read the fine print and check off every required step before submitting your request. A missed step is one of the easiest hassles to avoid.
How to choose a new VoIP provider
The VoIP service provider you choose directly impacts your call quality, available features, and customer support experience.
Here’s a guide to finding one you can trust:
- Check security standards. Ensure end-to-end encryption, user permissions, automatic updates, and SOC 2 compliance.
- Evaluate essential features. Look for providers that offer SMS/MMS support and texting automations to speed things up. Call handling features, recording, and third-party integrations also help you grow your business. Finally, advanced features like AI voice agents and international calling can help set your business apart.
- Assess scalability. Choose a provider that grows with your business. Make sure you can easily add or remove users, assign new numbers, and support multiple locations. The tool should also let you upgrade plans without interrupting your service. Finally, make sure it integrates with your existing tools so you won’t need to switch platforms as you expand.
- Calculate long-term value. Look beyond plan prices to understand the true costs. Prioritize providers without minimum user requirements or long-term contracts. Watch out for hidden fees like messaging limits, setup fees, or number porting charges. Basics like unlimited calling and texting should be included, not expensive add-ons.
- Verify dedicated porting support. Look for a provider with an experienced, in-house porting team, not just a generic support line. Make sure your provider sends status updates, flags any issues early, and resolves them quickly. This ensures your number transfers without unnecessary delays or downtime.
How to port your current number to Quo
Want your switch to a new VoIP provider to be the last one you ever make? Quo is a modern business phone service that can scale with you as your company grows.
When you choose Quo, you can port in unlimited US, Canadian, or North American toll-free numbers. Plus, there are zero fees from our side. Quo also comes with features like:
- Integrations with email, Slack, Make, Zapier, HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, and Jobber
- SMS and MMS messaging
- Call forwarding
- Call routing
- Three-way calling
- Call tags to label calls by topic and sentiment
- Call transcripts and summaries
- AI voice agent, Sona, for 24/7 call coverage
Our porting process takes just a few simple steps:
- Sign up for a Quo account and try a free seven-day trial.
- Log in to the Quo web or desktop app and submit your porting request. You can do this once you’ve confirmed Quo is a great fit and you’ve completed carrier registration for local numbers or toll-free verification if you’re porting in a toll-free number. Just go to Settings, Phone numbers, and click Port an existing number.
You’ll need a copy of a billing statement or a screenshot of your account showing the phone number and email address, your current account number, and your port-out/transfer PIN. You can get these details directly from your current provider.
- We’ll confirm your port date and time so you’ll know when your number is available.
- Customize your phone number settings in your Quo account while waiting for your number to move over. This includes setting up after-hours voicemail and auto-replies.
- Cancel the service with your original provider once Quo’s porting team lets you know your number is ready to use.
Keep your number, upgrade your service with Quo
VoIP number porting is a straightforward process that can help you access all the benefits of an VoIP number porting is a straightforward process that can help you access all the benefits of an internet-based phone. At Quo, you can port your existing number for free. You’ll also have a dedicated porting team that has helped thousands of businesses successfully make the switch.
When you switch to Quo, you can do more with your US, Canadian, or toll-free number, including:
- Call and message your clients and team members with free calling and texting to anyone in the US or Canada
- Share phone numbers with team members to help each other field calls and texts
- Get additional VoIP numbers; sign up for as many numbers as your team needs
- Never miss a call with Sona, Quo’s AI voice agent
- Set up an automated phone menu so clients can route their own calls
- Record calls for training, quality assurance, or documentation purposes
- Save time sending texts by using snippets, scheduled texts, and auto-replies
Sign up for your free trial of Quo with a temporary new number to try it out — and when you’re ready, start the VoIP number porting process.
FAQs
Yes, you can generally keep using your current service as normal until the port completes. Just remember not to cancel your old service early, or you risk losing your number.
You will likely lose your voicemail and texts, as your carrier usually stores them on its servers and won’t transfer them to another carrier. Save anything important before you make the switch.
You may be able to cancel a number porting request if you act quickly enough. Contact your current provider as soon as possible if you want to cancel, as there may be deadlines or fees involved.
Porting a VoIP number to a cell phone is sometimes possible. However, if your VoIP phone number uses an area code that doesn’t match your geographic area, your cell phone service provider will ask you to select a new local number. You can typically check your number portability on your new carrier’s website to see if you can make the switch.
Most numbers can be ported, but there are a few exceptions. Numbers that are inactive, disconnected, or in an area where your new provider doesn’t have coverage can’t be transferred. Some international numbers aren’t portable either. Check with your new provider if you’re unsure.
The right phone system depends on your business needs — but in general, you should look for:
– Transparent pricing
– Call routing to automatically send customers to the right place
– Collaboration features like call transfers and internal communication notes
– Business SMS/MMS with automation features like auto-replies and scheduled messages
– Call recording, transcripts, and summaries
– Responsive customer support
Once you’ve created a shortlist of providers, it’s a good idea to trial them or get a demo to see the platform in action.
