This guide will serve as an aid to understanding the different types of Number ports and how to use our pricing schedule to determine what category a number port will be. This guide is only for porting numbers to 1coud Voice & Data. If you wish to port a number from 1cloud Voice & Data to another provider you will need to contact your new provider directly.
Local Number Portability (LNP) is the process of moving a number from one carrier to another. Not all numbers can be ported and are subject to a service qualification test. There are different types of port categories and they will vary in price depending on how a number is categorised. This document is intended to be used as a guide only. Number port categorisation is determined at the time of submitting the port and is set by the losing carrier.
Number Porting Terms
| Local Number Portability (LNP) | Local Number portability (LNP) is the capability to take your phone number with you if you change networks, in the case of local number portability, or phone carriers, in the case of mobile number portability. This is known as “porting”. |
| Losing Provider/Carrier | The Carrier or Carriage Service Provider from which a Telephone Number has been or is to be ported (basically the current carrier who is about to lose the number). |
| Gaining Provider/Carrier | The Carrier or Carriage Service Provider to which a Telephone Number has been or is to be ported (basically the carrier who is going to receive the number). |
| Emergency Return | The re-establishment of a service, which can be in the form of either the Customer’s original service, or if that it is not possible, an alternative service. Emergency Return only applies to complex Ports and can only be within a certain time frame (3 Hours) of completion of the port. |
| Reversal | The reinstatement of a Customer’s service with the Losing Carrier or Carriage Service Provider during the Reversal Period for Telephone Numbers Ported using the Simple/Cat A Process |
| Porting Number Validation (PNV) | A regulatory form to allow the gaining carrier to request service number details from the losing carrier. |
| Complex Notification Advice (CNA) | Complex Notification Advice means an advice contained within a Porting Notification Order from the Gaining Carrier/Service Provider to the Losing C/CP which, provides the initial Porting details for each Telephone Number to be Ported using the Cat-C (Complex) process. |
| Simple Notification Advice (SNA) | Simple Notification Advice means an advice contained within a Porting Notification Order which provides the details required for a Telephone Number to be Ported using the Cat-A (Simple) Process |
| PAF |
Required Information to Port
If you want to port your number, we require the following:
- Read and understand the Local Number Porting Authority Form and supporting Terms & Conditions and associated fees.
- Complete the Number Porting Authority Form (PAF).
- Provide a copy of the most recent bill showing your account number and address and the services number(s) to be ported.
Port Types
Port types are defined by the carrier who is currently operating the number. When a port submission is sent to the losing carrier, they will determine what type of port the number is. The most common type is a Simple Port also known as a Category A port. If the simple port fails for any reason it will most likely become a Complex Port also known as a Category C port.
Simple Port (Category A)
Category A ports are real time automated ports used to port simple telephone services, such as single line PSTN services with no additional services. If your number has other additional services on the line, your port will become a complex port and will attract additional costs. The list below is an example of some features that are known to cause a simple port to be rejected and become complex:
- Line/Rotary Hunt
- Fax Stream Services
- ISDN Onramp Services
- ADSL Internet Services
To avoid getting any additional fees on your number port, once a port submission is submitted it is imperative that you do not make any changes to the numbers being ported. If you do this, it is likely to cause your number to be rejected and you will attract additional fees.
Complex Port (Category C)
Complex ports are used when a number typically has one or more of the following but not limited to:
- Onramp, ISDN Services
- Line/Rotary Hunt
- Fax Stream
- 100 Number blocks
- ADSL Internet Services
Complex ports are submitted in batches and if there is a rejection or a return, the entire batch is impacted, so the rejection or return fees will be charged on all numbers in the batch. To avoid getting any additional fees on your number port, once a port submission is provided it’s imperative that you do not make any changes to the numbers that are being ported.
Simple (Cat-A) Type Port FAQs
How long does a Cat-A port take?
Typically it will take 5-7 business days if it’s a Simple Cat-A single number port.
The number I am porting has ADSL. Can I port it?
The answer here is yes, however, it will be classed as a Complex Cat-C port and if you were to port the number away, your ADSL service would be disconnected on the day your number ports. It is best to remove ADSL from this number, wait 2 business days, and then submit the port as a Simple Cat-A port.
How do I make sure my number is a simple port?
To have a number port as a Simple Cat-A port, please make sure all advanced services are removed from the line prior to submission. Please make sure you wait at least 2-3 clear business days before submitting the port request after removing any services.
What causes a rejection?
Simple port rejections are commonly caused due to incorrect information such as wrong account number, incorrect legal account holder’s business name, incorrect address for where the service(s) is located, or complex services being attached to the number(s) wishing to be ported.
My number has been ported and I shouldn’t have ported it. What can I do?
In some case we can perform an emergency return on a number. Emergency returns can typically be done if it’s been no more the 3 hours since the port and it’s before 2 pm on a business day. If it’s outside these times, you will need to organise to port the number back though normal porting process with the previous losing carrier. Carrier fees apply for emergency return requests.
I have 100 number range can I port a single number from the range?
Generally speaking, losing carriers will not permit single numbers to be broken out of a consecutive direct inward dial (DID) number range (10, 20, 50 or 100 numbers), and as all numbers need to be ported as one single block, this would require a Complex Cat-C port.
Will my current carrier charge me to port the number?
This is dependent on the carrier and whilst most major carriers charge a porting out fee for consecutive number ranges leaving their network, it is entirely the customers responsibility to check and confirm the terms and conditions of their losing provider before submitting the port request.
Will there be downtime on my number?
Yes. Due to the nature of the actual work required with transferring a number between two network carriers, there will be a period where your number will be offline and cannot be redirected. The vast majority of simple Cat-A ports complete within 45-60 minutes, however the carriers cannot provide any assurances or guarantees as to the exact amount of downtime.
Complex (Cat-C) Type Port FAQs
How long does a Cat-C port take?
Typically it will take 4-12 weeks depending on the complexity and the losing carrier response times during the porting request and confirmation process.
If I need to return or the port is rejected how is this charged?
If there is a port rejection or return, you will be billed on the entire batch. For example, if you had a batch of 300 numbers and only 100 needed to be returned you would be charged a fee based on the entire 300 numbers.
My number has been ported and I shouldn’t have ported it. What can I do?
In some case we can perform an emergency return on a number. Emergency returns can typically done if it’s been no more the 3 hours since the port and it before 2 pm on a business day. If it’s outside these times, you will need to organise to port the number back though normal porting process with the previous losing carrier. Carrier fees apply for emergency return requests.
Will my current carrier charge me to port the number?
This is dependent on the carrier and whilst most major carriers charge a porting out fee for consecutive number ranges leaving their network, it is entirely the customers responsibility to check and confirm the terms and conditions of their losing provider before submitting the port request.
Will there be downtime on my number(s)?
Yes. Due to the nature of the actual work required with transferring numbers between two network carriers, there will be a period where your number will be offline and cannot be redirected. The vast majority of simple Cat-C ports complete within an hour, however the carriers cannot provide any assurances or guarantees as to the exact amount of downtime. After hours ports (outside of 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday) can be requested, however the costs associated can be quite high and will be quoted upon request.