Find out more about this simple process, which is sometimes slowed down by some telecom companies wanting to slow down your departure.
Telephony tools have come a long way in recent years. A simple VoIP phone is somewhat outdated. Your company needs a much more powerful communications tool to support its growth and ensure its continuity.
What does it mean to “port” or transfer your business phone number?
“Porting” is the act of transferring your business number from one provider to another.
This action allows you to keep your telephone number known to your customers and avoid having to communicate a new number at the risk of losing customers. Also, you don’t have to make any changes to your website, brochures and various directories where your company is listed.
For example, when you want to “port” your business phone number to Fresk, it shouldn’t take more than 3 to 5 days. However, large telecommunications companies can take up to 6 weeks.
You can initiate your transfer request directly through your Fresk account or via our website www.fresk.app.
Do not cancel your telephony service provider, as you will not be able to “port” or transfer your company telephone number afterwards.
Types of phone numbers that can be ported
All telephone numbers can be ported. Under no circumstances can your provider prevent you from porting your number. This is your right, guaranteed by the CRTC and explained here.
Office landline
You can transfer your local landline business number from one provider to another, as long as you live in the same geographic area. This method is called LNP for local number portability, managed by the Canadian Number Portability Administration Center.
The transfer service is free as long as you are at the end of your contract.
- If you wish to transfer a single number, this is a Category A Porting transfer.
- If you need to transfer several landline numbers from local numbers, this is considered a category C porting transfer (“complex porting”). Most companies are in category C.
Steps to transfer or port your business telephone number
Find your telephony provider
This can be a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) provider.)
The advantage of VoIP phones is that they allow you to have cloud-based systems and unified communications, which means you can “unify” several communication channels including “phone, email and text message” and sometimes instant video and secure file exchange.
For example, Fresk is a UCaaS, or “Unified communication as a service”, a platform that allows you not only to call, but also to send text messages with your company number, synchronize emails and other instant messaging systems, and send secure documents.
Fresk is a VoIP telephony system that adds a layer of intelligence via cloud-based software that can draw on computing power, artificial intelligence and databases.
You can then communicate from the device of your choice, ranging from a desktop phone, laptop or fixed computer, tablet and mobile via the mobile application.
Gathering your information to transfer your phone
The first thing is to sign the transfer authorization (CA) and authenticate yourself to make sure you are the owner of the phone number to be “ported” to another operator. If you have several telephone numbers to “port”, indicate them in your authorization letter.
Normally, you’ll need to provide your first and last name, the company name and business address, and a list of the telephone numbers you wish to port. – to carry. You must also submit a copy of your telephone bill from your current provider.
- When you call, indicate immediately that you wish to transfer your telephone number.
- When you call your current provider, indicate immediately that you are calling to transfer your number. They will then be able to transfer you to the right department, otherwise your requests will be incomprehensible to customer service.
Request a CSR, your customer service record
Speed up the process by asking your current supplier for a Customer Service Record (CSR). It contains all the information you need for your transfer. Normally, this simplifies the transfer.
Confirm your subscription with your new supplier
Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to choose your new telephony plan with your new provider. The Fresk team is available to help you at any time.
Confirm your phone number transfer with your new provider and initiate the transfer
To have your phone number ported, you need to make the request. Your letter of authorization and invoice allow your new provider to initiate the request with your current provider.
Normally, the transfer should not cause any interruption in telephony service if your Fresk devices and accounts are already installed and operating with temporary numbers. Once the transfer is complete, Fresk automatically takes over, your new devices and accounts start ringing, and you can make calls via Fresk too. Your teams have also been trained in advance by Fresk experts.
Fresk’s 24-hour transfer team – number porting
As soon as your number is ported, our satisfaction team calls your team for immediate follow-up within your business hours.
Call to make sure your account is closed
Your previous provider will automatically close their service with you. It’s important to contact your former provider to make sure everything is canceled to avoid charges.
Maintain the contract with your former supplier to spread the load
If you wish to maintain payment of your contract, simply request another number and pay your service charges until your contract expires.
The Fresk team is available to support you throughout the porting process. There are no associated costs.
We look forward to counting you among our customers, and to offering you a tool that’s far more powerful than a simple desk phone.
