Number porting is simply keeping the number you already have when you switch phone provider. Nothing about the number itself changes — only who carries the calls for it. Your customers, suppliers and Google listings all keep working exactly as before.
Why does number porting exist?
Before Ofcom mandated number portability, switching phone provider meant losing your number and starting again — a real barrier to competition. Today, UK regulation guarantees your right to take your number with you, whether it's a geographic 01/02 number, an 0800 freephone number, or a mobile number.
What actually happens during a port
You give your new provider (VoIPninjas, in this case) a small amount of account information from your existing bill — usually the number itself, your account number, and the billing name/postcode. We handle the request with your current provider on your behalf. Ofcom's General Condition rules require most single-line business ports to complete within one working day of a valid request being submitted.
What doesn't change
- Your number stays exactly the same, digit for digit.
- Callers won't notice any difference.
- Your Google Business Profile, website and stationery don't need updating.
What can delay a port
The most common causes of delay are mismatched account details (wrong billing name or postcode), an existing contract with an early termination restriction, or a losing provider that's slow to respond. For the exact step-by-step process and what to have ready, see our guide to porting a business number to VoIP.
FAQ
Does porting cause any downtime? With VoIPninjas, no — we activate the new service before the old one is switched off, so there's no gap in service.
Can I port a number I'm still in contract for? Yes, though your existing provider may charge an early termination fee separately from the porting process itself.
For the full regulatory position, see Ofcom's guidance on keeping your number when you switch provider.
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