If you’re moving your number to CloudTalk for the first time, don’t worry—we’ll guide you through it. This article includes all the key steps you should take to make sure your porting request goes smoothly.
Before You Start: What to Do First
Before initiating a porting request with CloudTalk, highly recommend getting in touch with your current service provider (SP) to let them know that you plan to port out your number. This step helps avoid unnecessary rejections and delays. Your provider can confirm:
Whether your number is portable.
Who the underlying carrier is.
What registration details they have on file for your number.
Letter of Authorization
CloudTalk will provide you with a standard porting form called a Letter of Authorization (LOA). This form authorizes CloudTalk and its partner carrier to request the release of your number from the losing carrier.
The LOA is the main document the losing carrier will use to validate the legitimacy of the request. Therefore, all submitted information must match the data registered with the underlying carrier—not just your commercial service provider.
If the information is incorrect or incomplete, the carrier may refuse the port, and we’ll need to re-initiate the process, which can cause delays.
What You Should Verify With Your Current Provider
To make sure your porting request is accepted smoothly, verify the following details with your current provider:
Number portability
Check whether the number is eligible for porting. Even if CloudTalk supports the number type and country, your current provider or underlying carrier might not allow porting it out.
Underlying Carrier or Range Holder
Identify who the true operator of the number is. This is the underlying carrier, which may be different from your commercial service provider.
CloudTalk must submit the port request to the underlying carrier, not just the provider that issued the number to you.
If you're using a VoIP platform, your SP is often a reseller relying on a third-party carrier.
Service address
Confirm the service address associated with the number on file with the carrier. This might differ from your billing address or company headquarters.
If your address has changed since your original registration, it might not have been updated by the service provider.
The address on file may be the Service Provider or Reseller's, not yours.
A local site address may be required if your business is in a different city from the area code - the service provider may have used their local service address.
Authorized user
Some carriers only accept LOAs signed by the authorized user or account administrator linked to the number.
A specific user’s name may need to be signed on the LOA.
Account number.
Your provider may have assigned you a unique account number, which may also need to appear on the LOA.
PIN code or Migration code.
Some providers require a code for verification, including:
USA wireless numbers: typically need a 4-digit PIN.
UK mobile numbers: need a PAC code.
French mobile numbers: require an RIO code.
Italian numbers: use an individual migration code.
Czech numbers: require an OKU code.
Common Reasons a Port Request Is Rejected
Even when the number is eligible for porting, the following issues can lead to rejection by the losing carrier:
Invalid signature on LOA.
The LOA must contain a recognizable signature. Avoid typed signatures.
A digital signature or signature inserted from a pad is acceptable.
A "wet" (handwritten) signature is not required, unless CloudTalk's porting team specifies otherwise.Make sure to use a digital signature pad or insert a digital signature into the form for a recognizable "hand-made" signature. Unless specified by CloudTalk's porting team, a "wet" signature is not needed, but the signature must be able to be validated as coming from the signatory.
Number Inactive or Unavailable.
The number must be active and in use.
CloudTalk cannot port numbers from accounts that are closed or if the number was disconnected in the past.
Number on an Active Contract.
Some providers may restrict porting if your number is tied to a contract or device instalment plan.
Part of a Number Block.
Some numbers are part of a larger range or block and can only be ported if all numbers in that block are moved together.
Ask your provider if your number is a "single number" or part of a block.
Have more questions? Reach out to our Support team. We're always happy to help!