This article is for clients who would like to port their non-geographic numbers.
What is Number porting?
Number porting is the process of taking an existing telephone number from your current service provider and transferring it to another service provider while keeping the same number.
What is non-geographic number porting?
Non-geographic numbers are not assigned to a geographic location, instead, they are virtual telephone numbers that can be used anywhere no matter where your business is located.
Within the new regulations passed on the 7'th of March 2022, businesses can now move to a new service provider and port their non-geographical number to the new service provider.
The following non-geographic numbers can be ported: 0800, 8060, 0861, 0862, 087.
The non-geographic number porting process is explained:
Step 1: Porting Mandate
Once you have requested to port your number to DSL Telecom, we will fill in a porting mandate document for you. This document instructs your newly chosen network to begin the number porting process away from your current network provider. Once the document is complete, we will send it back to you to confirm that all the details are correct. If you are interested in porting your number click here.
Step 2: Supporting Documents
The following documents will need to be provided to process the number porting request:
2.1 The ID of the person signing the porting instruction, usually this is the owner of the company.
2.2 A letter of authorisation from the company giving permission for the numbers to be ported.
2.3 The latest bill from your current service provider for the number you would like to port.
2.4 The company registration document will also be required to submit to the new network in order for them to start the number porting process.
Step 3: Preferred porting date
Once your current network provider has received notification that the numbers are ready to port, the new network provider will ask you for a preferred porting date. The number will be ported in the evening of your chosen porting date and the numbers will continue to work up until that point of the evening. By 8 am the following morning, the numbers should be updated and working on the newly chosen network service provider. The entire process from start to finish can take anywhere between 7 to 21 working days to complete the porting process.
FAQs:
1. What numbers are eligible for number porting?
Non-geographic numbers that can be ported include 0800, 0860, 0861, 0862, and 087.
Geographic numbers that can be ported include 012, 021, 031, 023, 010, 011 and more.
2. Reasons why a non-geographical number cannot be ported.
- A phone number cannot be ported if the customer has already cancelled their service with their old provider and the number is no longer active or has been assigned to a new customer.
- A number can also not be ported if the subscriber is already subject to suspension of outgoing or incoming calls because of failure to pay a bill.
- If the number is already in a porting process.
- The number has been ported in the last two months.
3. How much does it cost to port a non-geographical number?
If you want to port your non-geographic number from your current service provider to DSL Telecom, it will cost R150 per number that you want to port over.
4. How much does it cost to use non-geographic numbers?
It is a lot more cost-effective to use non-geographic numbers rather than geographic numbers as it is cheap to call from both fixed and mobile lines. Calling costs are the same for local/national calls.
5. Does porting my number cancel my current service?
When you port your number, you are transferring your existing number from one service provider to another. The process allows you to switch providers while keeping the same number which means your service with your previous service provider will be canceled.
6. Can I call out using my 086X number?
No, the reason for the inability to dial out using your 086x number, is due to 086x numbers being designed for inbound services as per ICASA regulations.
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