Fixed Line Number Porting

What Is Number Porting

‘Porting’ refers to the process of transferring a telephone number between two opposing network operators. Common examples of this are porting from BT to Virgin or TalkTalk. The cost of porting, if applicable, varies dependent upon service provider & / or network operator.

The Porting Process

This is a paper exercise involving the ‘gaining’ service provider & / or network operator submitting a request with the existing / incumbent service provider & / or network operator to take ownership of the number to be transferred. If the existing / incumbent service provider does not object to the transfer / port (the number may be in contract), the number is transferred / ported on a predefined date which the customer will be notified of in advance by the ‘gaining’ service provider & / or network operator.

All Information submitted to the ‘gaining’ service provider &/or network operator must be 100% accurate to avoid a failed request i.e. Full Number Range, Customer Address.

Please note: When porting a number the losing service provider & / or network operator will cease the line the number sits on and all its associated services, such as broadband. If the number has associated services the customer will need to transfer these services to the ‘new line’ upon which the number will be ported to, before attempting to port.

Porting Timescales

Unfortunately it is impossible to guarantee / secure a specific port date. The porting process normally takes two to four weeks; the timeline varies dependent upon service provider & / or network operator.

BT provides the following timelines for completing a number port (guideline only):

    • Single line – 7 working days
    • Multi-line ( greater than 10 lines porting at same time ) – 17 working days
    • PBX 10 lines or less – 10 working days
    • PBX 11 lines or greater ( or Centrex site ) – 20 working days
    • ISDN 10 lines or less – 10 working days
    • ISDN 11 lines or greater – 20 working days

Venture is unable to guarantee ports will be implemented within the timelines listed above. Please use the above strictly as a guideline.

Non-Geographic Number Porting

Porting Non-Geographic Numbers [0800; 0845; 0870 or 0333] involves a similar process but is more susceptible to delays due the number of service providers & / or network operators that can be involved.

The incumbent service provider & / or network operator is required to complete a ‘port form’. Upon completion the ‘port form’ is returned to the ‘gaining’ service provider & / or network operator to action. Unfortunately if any part of the ‘port form’ is inaccurate / incorrect the order can be rejected by the incumbent service provider & / or network operator. Once the order has been accepted a transfer date will be provided.

The ‘gaining’ service provider & / or network operator will require the telephone number which the Non-Geographic Number routes to / terminates on, as upon transfer of the number this will need reinstating.

The majority of Network’s have agreements in place to allow numbers to port between opposing service providers &/or network operators HOWEVER in some cases there is no porting agreement in place; in these instances the number cannot be ported.

Please note: Any re-submissions / changes are charged at £20.00 + VAT. You will also be charged this amount for any numbers you port then subsequently do not use or cease.

Although most numbers are portable, there are several common reasons why the port request may be rejected by the losing service provider & / or network operator. The best way to prevent your port request from being rejected is to make sure you submit the exact information that the losing service provider & / or network operator has on file. It’s a good idea to contact the losing service provider & / or network operator in advance to verify this information.