Number portability is a service that allows you to transfer your phone connection from one provider to another, without changing your phone number. Instead of being stuck with the same old service provider, you can instead upgrade to a better provider while keeping your existing phone number. This is the major difference between switching to a new provider and having to deal with getting a new number, and the convenience of porting your phone number.
There may be many reasons for porting your phone number. Some of them include:
You are moving: If you are moving to a new location that isn’t served by your current provider, you may need to change to a different carrier. Toll-free number porting is a good way to ensure you can retain your phone number at the new location while enjoying quality service.
- Network coverage: Not every service provider has the same quality of network coverage. Some providers offer excellent coverage, while others have poor network coverage. If your provider does not offer you decent network coverage, it is a solid reason for you to look into porting your number.
- Tariff: Obviously, tariff charges vary greatly from one provider to another. If your current plan is too expensive, porting your number to a more affordable service provider is a good idea.
- Speed: Seamless connectivity is what everyone desires, but not every provider offers good speed. When you need to communicate with clients daily, you cannot afford to have a slow connection. In such a case, number porting is a stellar option.
- Customer service: An important but often overlooked feature is customer service. It should be prompt and available all the time. It is always beneficial to port your number to a different provider that offers better customer service.
Porting your Vonage number to a different provider is the same as with any other number. The only issue with a Vonage number is that they do not list your phone number on the phone bill, but it is essential for proving that you have the authority to port the number.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps for porting your Vonage number to another provider. They are as follows:
Step 1: Gather All Your Documents
Before you even start the phone number porting process from Vonage, you need to have all the documents and information to prove that the number is yours and that you have the authority to port it. Collect all the documents associated with the number, including the most recent phone bill with your name on it. You will need to submit this to the provider you are porting your number to.
Since the phone bill doesn’t have your number on it, you have to contact Vonage and ask them to provide you with a Customer Service Report (CSR), which contains all the information they have on file for your number. You should also let them know that you are porting your number and ask if there are any formalities you are required to fulfill.
Step 2: Screenshot of your Account Page
This is another workaround to the issue of not having your number on the phone bill. If the CSR does not suffice, you have to provide further documentation. This can be done by taking a screenshot of your Vonage account page and submitting it to the new provider. Make sure that the page has your name and number on it because this is required to prove your authority to port the number.
Step 3: Submit Documents
Now that you have all the pertinent information regarding your number, it is time to submit it to the service provider you wish to port your number. Phone bill, CSR, screenshots, and any other information to prove your authority to port the number must be submitted to the provider. Always make sure that there is sufficient proof of your ownership of the phone number.
Step 4: Complete and Sign an LOA
This is an essential step. A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for any phone number port because this letter explicitly proves that the primary account holder (you, in this case), has authorized the transfer of the numbers to a new service provider by signing. This is an electronic document that can be completed, signed, and submitted online.
Read and complete the form carefully, making sure that the information you put in matches the information that the current provider has on file for the number. The form will be emailed to you when you initiate your porting request.
Step 5: In Case your Port is Rejected
A port getting rejected is a common occurrence. If your port gets rejected, you may only be given the official reason for the rejection by asking an agent of the new service provider. It may not be clear why your number was not ported, and you may not be given any information on whether or not there is anything you can do to fix this.
The best way to figure it out is by talking to a Vonage agent. This is also a good time to consult your CSR and find out if you provided the correct information to the carrier. If you think all information was correct, you should contact Vonage and get the issue fixed.
Step 6: Check your email
That’s all you have to do on your end to initiate the VoIP number porting process. Once the provider has all of your information, you will receive an email that states when you can expect to have your number ported. The majority of ports are simple, and they take a week to ten days, on average if all the steps are completed promptly. A few days before the port is completed, you will get another email that lets you know the day and time when your number will port. You can also find out the status of the port by talking to the customer service agent.
Keep in mind though, that number porting doesn’t always guarantee you will be able to keep your existing number. However, unless you are moving to a completely different country altogether, it is very possible that you may be able to retain your existing number by porting it from Vonage.
