Can I Keep My Existing Phone Number While Using VoIP?

In most cases, you can transfer a phone number to a VoIP service. It's recommended so that you don't have to give all your contacts a new number.

Can I Keep My Phone Number With VoIP?

You have used a phone number for years and many people recognize you or your company through it, and you don't want to abandon it for a new one. Switching to VoIP means changing phone service providers and also phone numbers. Can you still use your existing landline PSTN phone number with your new VoIP service? Will your VoIP service provider allow you to keep your existing phone number?

Basically yes, you can bring your existing number over with you to the new VoIP (internet telephony) service. However, there are limitations.

VoIP Number Transfer Restrictions

This feature is not always free. Some VoIP companies offer number portability for a fee. The fee charged can be a one-time payment or a monthly amount payable as long as you keep the ported number. So, if you care about number portability, talk about it to your provider and consider the eventual fee in your cost planning.

Besides the fee, porting a number may impose certain restrictions. You might be barred from benefiting from certain features offered with the new service. This is true especially for features that are linked to their numbers, which are often given for free with a new service. One way people avoid this restriction is to pay for a second line that carries their ported number. This way, you have all the features with the new service while still being able to use your old line.

What Is Number Portability?

Number portability is the ability to use your phone number from one phone service provider with another. This is possible between phone service provider companies, whether they offer wired or wireless service. The regulating body in the US, the FCC, ruled that all VoIP service providers should offer phone number portability.

Make Sure Your Records Match

If you want to keep your existing number, there's one important thing to keep in mind: The personal records for your number should be exactly the same with both companies.

For example, the name and address you submit as the owner of the account should be exactly the same with both companies. A phone number is always attached to a name and an address. If you want the number with the new company to be that of your spouse, for example, then it will not be portable. They will have to use a new number obtained from the new company.