A Complete Guide to Phone Number Porting

Posted on by Easyline Team

Have you ever wanted to switch to a new phone plan or provider, but put it off because you didn’t want to change the phone number? Or perhaps have you wondered how to keep a phone number with providers changed? Good news, that’s achievable.

You can switch phone plans to another line friendly to business needs, like EasyLine without changing your phone number.

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What is Number Porting?

Mobile number porting is essentially switching your phone number from one carrier to another. However, there is one big thing to be aware of when a phone number is being ported. Only active mobile numbers can be ported to another provider, so you need to make sure you don’t cancel your current phone plan before signing up for a new plan. There are of course pros and cons to porting a mobile number, so keep this in mind if you’re unsure whether to keep your phone number or not.

Porting Pros

  • You are able to keep your number
  • The provider does most of the work
  • Porting alone takes short time (usually less than an hour)
  • It’s a great way to jump into a new phone plan

Porting Cons

  • Same-network porting can take a while
  • You need to make sure your name and DOB match with your old provider
  • The incorrect procedure can delay porting
  • Porting is not available 24/7 and has set hours

How Long does it Take to Port a Number?

It depends – any time from less than an hour, up to seven business days. While seven business days might seem like a lot, it all depends on which network to port from. There are a couple of networks while there is a bunch of great mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to choose from. The fact is the specific porting time depends on many multiple elements and it may take a long or short time.

How to Port a Number to EasyLine

In order to keep your current phone number, you’ll need to do something called “mobile number porting”. This can be done with telecommunication companies that are on the same mobile network or even on different mobile networks. In fact, service providers are actually required to allow you to port your phone number if you choose to keep it.

Can I Port Straight Talk Number to EasyLine?

Are you looking for a feasible way to transfer your present Straight Talk phone number to EasyLine while the remaining service balance? To be honest, the transferring process is not as difficult as you thought.

Under most circumstances, you are not able to move the Straight Talk SIM card to another Straight Talk phone. Then you may consider transferring the Straight Talk phone number online with straighttalk.com. And here is a general guide about transferring Straight Talk service with straighttalk.com.

Step 1. Create a Straight Talk account

Navigate to the official website of Straight Talk, and sign in with a Straight Talk account. If you do not have an account yet, just create one.

Step 2. Enter the transferring screen

After creating a Straight Talk account, click Activation from the menu. Then you are able to see your current phone show up on the screen as an Active Device.

Step 3. Type in your phone number

Then enter your SIM card number in the prompted box, and tap on Continue. And type in your number again in the “Keep My Number” option.

Step 4. Transfer Straight Talk service

Confirm your decision, and click Submit. Then you can transfer your current Straight Talk phone number as well as the remaining service balance to the new Straight Talk phone.

Can I Port Google Voice Number to EasyLine?

Step 1. Check the rate center

Before you start to port your number to Google Voice, check the Google Voice Number Porting Tool to ensure that they can support your number and rate center.

Step 2. Port your number to a mobile provider

If Google Voice can support your number, you will then need to acquire a SIM card for a wireless carrier. A prepaid carrier is the most cost-effective option. Check your local Best Buy, Target, Walmart, or even Amazon to get a SIM card for about $5-$10.

Step 3. Port your number from the mobile provider to Google Voice

Keep in mind that Google Voice charges $20 to port a number in.

Miscellaneous notes to port to Google Voice

Here are a few helpful tips when it comes to working with Google Voice.

  • Mobile numbers typically port in 24 to 48 hours assuming there are no issues. Numbers that were originally landline/wireline may take longer.
  • Once porting is complete, you will not be able to receive calls to your mobile phone until you complete some required steps in Google Voice:
  • If you have already got a Google number on this Google Voice account, it will be replaced by the number that you are porting and will be completely removed from your account 90 days after porting is complete. During those 90 days, you will still be able to receive calls to that number.

Finally, if you have an existing number with another wireline/landline provider that you want to port to Google Voice, these instructions might also apply, without having to port it. Please check with Google Voice to verify.

Can I Port Sprint Number to EasyLine?

In order to get started, you will need the account details of your existing service (name, address, and account number), the password to your previous account, and the last 4 digits of your Tax ID or Social Security Number. 

First, check if your number is eligible to be ported by visiting Sprint’s Portability Check. Once on this page, enter your current 10-digit number and click Check Eligibility. If eligible, you will be asked to enter additional information and then Sprint will initiate the request with your current provider.

Can I Port Ooma Number to EasyLine?

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and port your number, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Step 1. Log into your My Ooma account and navigate to the Add-Ons tab. Select the Number Port option.

Step 2. Read the instructions carefully, and fill out the form on the Number Porting page with the following information:

  • The phone number you want to port
    • The type of phone number (landline, VoIP, mobile)
    • The type of broadband Internet service you have (cable, DSL, etc.)

Can I Port Verizon Number to EasyLine?

Step 1. Make sure Verizon can support your number 

If you plan to port your number to Verizon, click this link to ensure that the number can be supported by Verizon. Definitely check this before you initiate the port to Verizon. It’s also a great idea to check before you purchase the number from Verizon to ensure that it’s compatible with your desired provider.

Step 2. Make sure Verizon knows this is a wireline port so they can choose port settings appropriately.

All numbers purchased from Verizon are classified as wireline or landline as opposed to wireless. To learn more about this important distinction.

Step 3. Make sure Verizon is filling in all available fields on their port form.

When submitting a port-out request to Verizon, it’s important that the request is submitted with all of the essential porting information. In addition to the porting information we mentioned earlier in this article, it’s especially critical that Verizon include the following information in the porting request:

  • Authorization Name
  • Authorization Date
  • Wireline-to-wireless port

Step 4. Bypass Verizon support and contact the porting department directly.

If you want to contact Verizon’s Porting Department directly, dial (888) 844-7095. We’ve had great luck working with them in the past.

Can I Port Ringcentral Number to EasyLine?

To port the Ringcentral number to EasyLine, the following steps should be followed.

Step 1. Prepare yourself beforehand by gathering your information.

Before you get started, it’s good to put together all the information you have got that is associated with your phone number. Start with your most recent phone bill, which you will need to send to your EasyLine porting agent for verification.

Then, call RingCentral, and ask them if they will send you a Customer Service Report (CSR), or a similar document that contains all the information they have on file for the number you’re porting. While you’re at it, let them know that you are porting out this number, and find out if there are any special requirements for them to release your phone number.

Step 2. Make contact with your porting agent.

As soon as you put in a port request with EsayLine, a porting specialist will contact you via email and take you through the process from start to finish. As the porting process can be tricky if there are special circumstances or if the port is rejected for any reason, having an agent to help when any problems arise is essential.

Step 3. Provide your phone bill to the new provider, if needed.

EasyLine requires a complete copy of the phone bill, showing the number, to verify the authority to port. Make sure that it is the most recent copy and that it contains the number you wish to port.

Step 4. Complete and sign the Letter of Agency (LOA).

Required for any phone number port, the LOA is essential because it explicitly proves that the primary account holder, by signing, has authorized the transfer to a new carrier. Be sure to sign this document and fill it out completely.

Step 5. Wait for your porting to be completed.

Once the porting agent has all of your information, they will submit the port request to RingCentral for approval, and then all you have to do is wait. On average, the transfer process takes 7-10 days for “simple ports” to complete, as long as you follow these steps carefully. A few days before completion, you will be notified by email. 

Can I Port Freedompop Number to EasyLine?

You can port your phone number into your FreedomPop account from another carrier. You will need the PAC code from your previous carrier and the account with your previous carrier must still be active.
Make sure you have a FreedomPop phone number on file before you start the porting process. You won’t be able to port your phone number in from another carrier if you do not have a number on file already. Please click here, to learn how to get a new FreedomPop phone number for free. Once this is done, you can start the porting process.

Can I Port Vonage Number to EasyLine?

Absolutely yes!

Step 1. Gather pertinent information for the number you’re to port out.

Before you even get started, it’s a good idea to put together all the information you have that is associated with your phone number. Start with your most recent phone bill, which you will need to submit to EasyLine when you put in the port request.

Step 2. Take a screenshot of your Vonage account page.

Documentation is required to prove that you have the authority to port out your number, which is normally done by providing the new carrier with a phone bill that contains the number you’re porting. Since Vonage phone bills do not usually list your number, a screen capture of your online account can be used as documentation.

Step 3. Send the screenshot.

Once you have a good screenshot that shows all the necessary information, send it to EasyLinefor further verification. Please note that this screenshot MUST show the number you wish to port.

Step 4. Complete the porting.

Required for any phone number port, the LOA (Letter of Authorization) is essential because it explicitly proves that the primary account holder, by signing, has authorized the transfer to a new carrier. Be sure to sign this document and fill it out completely.

Can I Port Grasshopper Number to EasyLine?

As long as you have an active Grasshopper subscription and an account in good standing, you can transfer your existing toll-free or local number out of Grasshopper and to a new carrier, like EasyLine. Note that this transfer process is completed by your new carrier, not by the Grasshopper Customer Care team.

Step 1. If you’re transferring a local number, we recommend that you begin by obtaining a copy of your Grasshopper Customer Service Record (CSR). This will help you fill out the authorization form with the exact information.

Step 2. To initiate the transfer, contact your new carrier, like EasyLine. You’ll be required to fill out a Letter of Authorization (LOA) with information about your Grasshopper number(s). This form will give them the authority to initiate the transfer on your behalf. Note that the information you provide on the LOA about your Grasshopper account (e.g., name, company name, and address) must match the information we have on record. If it doesn’t, your transfer request will get rejected by your new carrier. 

Step 3. Once they have your LOA, EasyLine will submit a valid transfer request to Grasshopper, and your number will be released to them.

Step 4. If you plan to cancel your Grasshopper account, please wait until EasyLine confirms a successful transfer before contacting Customer Care to cancel. 

Can I Port Sideline Number to EasyLine?

If you’d like to use your existing Sideline phone number with EasyLine, you can port it out.

Here’s how to unlock your Sideline number for porting:

Step 1. Open the Sideline app.

Step 2. Go to Settings.

Step 3. Scroll to find the Number Porting section.

Step 4. Unlock your Sideline number.

You can port out your Sideline number if:

You originally ported the number into Sideline from another provider

You are subscribed to Sideline, have an active subscription that you were grandfathered in, or have paid the one-time fee of $19.99 to unlock the number.

Can I Port Twilio Number to EasyLine?

If you port from a wireline phone like Twilio to EasyLine, there may be a period when you have two telephones with the same number.

Wireless 911 location and callback services (where available) may be affected during the transition.  Calls should go through, but 911 operators may not be able to call you back if disconnected.  Before porting, ask your new company if your 911 service will be affected during the process.

Also, your wireline long-distance company will not move with you.  Your long-distance service will likely be provided by your new wireless company, which you should verify.

Can I Port T-Mobile Number to EasyLine?

Step 1. Make sure your number will be supported by EasyLine.

If you plan to port your number from T-Mobile to EasyLine, click this link to ensure that the number can be supported by T-Mobile. Definitely check this before you initiate the port to T-Mobile. 

Step 2. Make sure T-Mobile knows this is a wireline port so they can choose port settings appropriately.

Step 3. Make sure T-Mobile is filling in all available fields on their port form.

When submitting a port out a request to T-Mobile, it’s important that the request is submitted with all of the essential porting information. In addition to the porting information we mentioned earlier in this article, it’s especially critical that T-Mobile include the following information in the porting request:

  • Authorization Name
  • Authorization Date
  • Wireline-to-wireless port

Step 4. Bypass T-Mobile support and contact the porting department directly.

If you want to contact T-Mobile’s Porting Department directly, dial (877) 789-3106 and then ask to be transferred to the Number Transfer Resolutions Team. We’ve had great luck working with them in the past.

Step 5. Once the port is approved, contact T-Mobile to confirm the date they will port the number.

Bottom Line

Porting your phone number is definitely worth it when it’s done correctly. Despite all the talk about porting nightmares, if you take steps to ensure you do it correctly, you’re likely to be all done in just a few hours. The steps include:

  • Not porting to the same network
  • Ensuring all personal details needed for activating are correct
  • Keeping your current SIM in your device until the loss of signal
  • Restarting your phone

Porting is a simple task, but the smallest issue can easily draw the process out by ridiculous amounts. If you’ve been waiting an unreasonable amount of time and the steps above do not work, you’ll need to get in touch with both the telco you’re leaving and the telco you’re switching over to. While it may be frustrating, the convenience of keeping your phone number may ultimately outweigh the wait times, especially once you’re on your new phone plan of choice.

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