Find your account number with your current providerOn any bill or in the online portal. Ports fail most often on mismatched account details.Note the exact business name on the accountThe port request must match it letter for letter, including "Ltd" vs "Limited".Check for a minimum-term contractPorting out mid-contract usually triggers early-termination fees. Know the number before you start.List every number on the lineMulti-line setups and fax lines port separately. Decide which numbers you actually want to keep.Don't cancel the old serviceCancelling before the port completes can kill the number permanently. The port itself closes the old service.Expect 1 to 7 working daysSingle-line UK ports are Ofcom-regulated and usually quick. Multi-line and non-geographic numbers take longer.

Get your account number and PINUS carriers require both for a port. The PIN is often separate from your login password; ask support for your "porting PIN".Request a CSR (Customer Service Record)It shows the exact name and address your carrier has on file. Your port request must match it.Confirm the service address on fileOld addresses are the top US port-rejection reason. Update it with the losing carrier first if it's stale.Check for port-out fees or contract termsSome carriers charge a port-out fee; business contracts may have early-termination clauses.Don't cancel the old serviceSame rule as everywhere: cancellation before completion can strand the number.Expect 1 to 4 weeksSimple wireless ports can complete in days; landline and complex business ports commonly take 2 to 4 weeks.

Number porting checklist

Get your business number sorted.