How to Keep Your Business Number When You Switch

Yes, you can almost always keep your business number when you switch phone companies. Gather a recent bill, sign a short form online, keep your old service running until moving day, and test your number once it arrives.

Your business number is on your website, your truck, your business cards and your customers' phones. Moving it is not hard, but it does involve paperwork between two phone companies. Knowing the steps ahead of time saves a lot of back and forth.

Can You Port a Landline Number to an Internet Phone System?

Usually, yes. Moving a number from one company to another is called porting, and most local and toll-free numbers can move, including landline and fax numbers. Before you start, check your number on our keep your number page. It tells you whether we can bring it over.

If you have several numbers, such as a main line, a fax line and a few direct lines, list all of them. It is easy to forget the fax number or the line that only rings the back office.

What Are the Steps to Move Your Number?

Step 1: Gather Your Account Details

The new company has to show your current one that you own the number and asked for the move. The details must match what your current phone company has on file, exactly. You will usually need:

• The name on the account, as the current company has it.
• The service address on the account.
• Your account number, from a recent bill or your online account.
• A transfer PIN from your current phone company, if they use one. Many cell and cable companies do.
• The name of the person authorized on the account.

Mismatched details are the most common reason a move is rejected. A copy of a recent bill helps a lot.

Step 2: Sign the Form

The request is backed by a short form that says you own the number and want it moved. With Telonium you sign it online. There is nothing to print or fax. Moving a number costs $10 per number, one time.

Step 3: Set Up Your New System

You do not have to wait for the move to finish. Once your account is approved, usually within one business day, your team can start making calls on the app the same day. Set up your users, greeting, call groups and each number's schedule, and install the Telonium app or plug in your desk phones. Our hosted phone system overview shows what you can set up.

Step 4: Keep Your Old Service Active

This is the most important step, and the one people get wrong. Do not cancel your old phone service before the move completes. If you cancel first, the number can be disconnected, and getting it back may be difficult or impossible.

When the move completes, your old company's service for that number ends. Then check with them to close the account and stop billing for anything left.

Step 5: Moving Day

Moving a number usually takes one to two weeks. We confirm the exact date with your old phone company and tell you as soon as it is set. On that day, calls start ringing on Telonium, and for a short while some calls may still reach the old system.

Once it is done, test it. Call your main number from a cell phone. Check that the greeting plays, calls ring the right people and voicemail goes to email. Send a test fax if you moved a fax number.

Why Do Number Moves Get Delayed?

• Details do not match. Use the exact name and address from your bill.
• Missing transfer PIN. Ask your current phone company for it before you start, if they use one.
• Numbers in a bundle. If your phone line is part of an internet or TV bundle, ask what happens to the rest of the bundle so nothing surprises you.
• Forgotten numbers. List every number you want to keep. Be careful with alarm lines; talk to your alarm company first.
• Canceling too early. Wait until the move is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Move My Fax Number?

Usually, yes. It becomes a virtual fax number, so faxes arrive as PDFs by email.

Should I Cancel My Old Service Before Switching?

No. Keep it active until moving day. Your phones keep working the whole time, and on that day calls start ringing on Telonium.

How Long Does It Take, and What Does It Cost?

Usually one to two weeks, and $10 per number, one time. More answers are on our FAQ page.

If you get stuck, call us at 404-566-8888. We have been helping Atlanta businesses move their numbers since 2011, and we are happy to look at your bill with you.