How to Transfer a Phone Number to VoIP

Transfer your local phone number to VoIP.

The Federal Trade Commission's (FCC's) Local Number Portability (LNP) rule allows you to keep your existing phone number when you switch to another service provider, including Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers like Skype, Vonage or ViaTalk. As long as you stay within the same geographic area, the FCC guarantees that you can keep your phone number, whether it was previously a wireless, landline or even another VoIP number.

Instructions

1. Call the VoIP company that you want to transfer your number to. Tell them that you want to transfer your existing number over to their service. The customer service representative will need to verify that you are the owner of the phone number, so be prepared to give your phone number, customer account number and password if you have one.

2. Wait for the one-day transfer process to take place. The actual wait time will vary according to whether you have a wireless or landline carrier. During the transfer process, you may have mixed service or two telephone numbers with the same number.

3. Verify that the transfer process is complete with your new service provider.

4. Terminate your old phone service by notifying your old service provider.

Tips & Warnings

• Companies are allowed to charge for porting a number. Check with your new carrier for their porting charge before signing up for service.

• Make sure you have completed any contractss with your existing carrier to ensure you aren't charged an early termination fee.

References

• FCC: Keeping Your Telephone Number When You Change Your Service Provider