Phone:
Switching phone providers doesn't mean losing your number. This checklist covers everything you need to port your business phone numbers to VoipPlus without downtime.
Gather these items before starting the porting process. Missing information is the #1 cause of delays.
A CSR is a document from your current carrier showing your account details. It contains the exact information needed for porting.
How to get it: Call your current provider and request a "CSR" or "Customer Service Record." AT&T, Comcast, and most carriers provide this free within 1-2 business days.
What it shows: Account number, authorized name, service address, phone numbers on account, BTN (Billing Telephone Number).
An LOA authorizes VoipPlus to port your numbers away from your current provider. It must be signed by an authorized account holder.
We provide the form: VoipPlus will send you the LOA to sign. It's a simple one-page document.
Important: The name on the LOA must match the name on your current account exactly. "John Smith" vs "John A. Smith" can cause rejections.
A copy of your most recent phone bill helps verify account information and identify all numbers to be ported.
What we look for: Account number, service address, list of phone numbers, account holder name.
Tip: If your bill doesn't list all DIDs (direct numbers), request a DID inventory from your current provider.
Provide a complete list of every phone number you want to transfer. Don't forget fax lines, direct lines, and toll-free numbers.
Include: Main number, fax number, direct DIDs, toll-free numbers, any additional lines.
Partial ports: You can port some numbers and leave others with your current provider if needed (e.g., keeping a fax line temporarily).
Porting time depends on your current carrier. Here are typical timelines for Chicago-area providers.
| Current Carrier | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T (Landline/PRI) | 7-14 business days | Requires CSR. May need contract buyout. |
| AT&T (U-verse) | 5-10 business days | Usually straightforward. |
| Comcast Business | 10-15 business days | Check for ETF (early termination fees). |
| RingCentral | 5-10 business days | Request PIN from RC before starting. |
| Vonage Business | 5-10 business days | Usually straightforward. |
| 8x8 | 5-10 business days | Request port-out PIN first. |
| Nextiva | 5-10 business days | May require cancellation notice first. |
| Other VoIP Providers | 5-10 business days | VoIP-to-VoIP ports are typically faster. |
| Toll-Free Numbers | 3-7 business days | Toll-free ports separately from local. |
* Timelines are estimates based on typical experiences. Actual times may vary.
Here's what happens from start to finish when you port your numbers to VoipPlus.
Collect your CSR, recent bill, and list of numbers. Request CSR from current provider if you don't have one.
Sign and return the Letter of Authorization. VoipPlus submits the port request to your current carrier.
Carrier confirms the port and provides a Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) date—the day numbers will transfer.
On FOC date, numbers switch to VoipPlus. We monitor the cutover to ensure calls route correctly.
These issues cause most porting rejections. Avoid them for a smooth transfer.
The name on your LOA must exactly match your current account. "ABC Company" vs "ABC Company LLC" will cause rejection.
Solution: Use your CSR to verify exact account name.
Service address must match exactly. "123 Main St" vs "123 Main Street" or missing suite numbers cause rejections.
Solution: Copy address exactly from your bill or CSR.
Account numbers on bills can be formatted differently than what carriers have on file. PRI accounts may have separate BTN.
Solution: Get CSR to confirm account number format.
Some VoIP providers (RingCentral, 8x8) require a port-out PIN that you must request before porting.
Solution: Call current provider and request port-out PIN before starting.
Early Termination Fees (ETF) don't stop porting, but your old carrier may bill you. Know your contract status.
Solution: Review contract terms. Often savings from VoIP offset ETF quickly.
Accounts with past-due balances or fraud flags can't be ported until resolved.
Solution: Bring account current before porting.
Porting is designed to be seamless. There's typically a brief moment (seconds to minutes) when calls route to the new system. We can arrange temporary forwarding if needed for zero-downtime transitions.
No. Porting automatically releases your numbers from the old carrier. Your old service will be canceled (or reduced) once the port completes. Don't cancel before porting—you'll lose your numbers.
Yes. Partial ports are allowed. You can port your main number to VoipPlus while keeping a fax line with your current provider, for example.
Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.) port separately from local numbers but follow a similar process. They typically port faster (3-7 days) since they're handled by a different system (RespOrg).
VoipPlus does not charge porting fees. Your old carrier may charge an early termination fee if you're under contract, but they cannot charge for the port itself (it's your legal right to port numbers).
Carriers cannot refuse a valid port request (it's FCC regulated). They can reject for information mismatches, but once corrected, the port must proceed. "Slamming" (unauthorized porting) is illegal, but authorized porting is your right.
We handle the paperwork and carrier coordination. Just gather your documents and we'll take it from there.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 — Serving Chicago, Schaumburg, Naperville, Arlington Heights, and all Chicagoland