Making changes for your business can be filled with anxiety, and changing phone service providers is no exception. There are several items to consider and plan for that should ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
Porting Numbers – The good news is that regulations allow you to keep your existing phone numbers when you change phone service providers. The challenge is that this process is a potential minefield of challenges. Your new provider can guide you through this process, but you need to provide key pieces of accurate information to ensure a smooth transition.
- Letter of Authorization – You will be asked to sign a letter of authorization to allow your new phone service provider to assume responsibility for your phone numbers. The name of the business needs to match the name that appears on your bill with your current provider. The individual signing the letter of authorization needs to be the authorized representative on record with your current phone company. If you are not aware of who is the authorized representative, contact your current phone company and ask who the authorized contact that appears on your customer service record (CSR).
- Time Frame – If you are with a major carrier today, ten business days is typically enough time to allow for the porting process to take place. Some other providers can take up to thirty days, again depending upon who you choose as your new provider. If you have a move, contract expiration, or other key milestone events that you are timing with this change, make sure you provide enough lead time for this process to take place.
- DSL Number – If you are going with a Voice over IP (VoIP) provider and you are going to utilize your existing DSL service to carry your new voice traffic, knowing which of your numbers includes your DSL line is critical. You should not port the phone number associated with your DSL line, or you will not have DSL when the transition takes place. The other option is to provision a new, separate DSL with no voice service attached (a “dry loop”). This is the best solution for this situation.
- Forwarding Numbers – As a precaution against potential delays or issues in the porting process, ensure that you have the capability to forward your existing numbers to temporary numbers that can be provisioned by your new carrier. Make sure you have forwarding enabled with your existing carrier and your new provider can accommodate this potential solution.
- Cancelling Service – Your porting of numbers to a new phone service provider typically stops the billing cycle and ends your service with your current carrier. However, after the port, it is a good practice to contact your previous carrier and cancel the account.
If you are moving your service to a VoIP service provider, ensure that they can provide numbers local to your business. They should also be able to configure their equipment and service to how your business operates. There are numerous advantages to switching to a digital solution, so check out our previous blog on tips for choosing a VoIP service provider..
About the author: Mark Greim is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at sipVine, a provider of a variety of digital phone solutions and services. Mark has extensive experience working for start-up or entrepreneurial organizations and a passion for affordable, reliable, and purposeful technology solutions in those environments.
