Can I keep my existing number if I change providers?

Question

If I change mobile phone carriers can I keep the same number?

Answer 1

You can change from one company to another and take your current number with you.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority thinks the whole process shouldn’t take more than a few hours.

This is really good news if you’re looking for the best deal, because you can change companies at will, without having to contact everyone you know to give them a new contact number. If you’re running a small business this could be a substantial saving.

But it’s not all good news. There are some traps that you’ll need to keep in mind:

Sime things to think about:

When you leave your current carrier your contract will end so you may have to pay cancellation fees as well as all outstanding call charges, etc. Often it is best to wait until your contract expires before moving.

If you’ve got a prepaid package you may need to get the phone unlocked before you can move to a new carrier (here could be a cost for this service).

Personal SIM locks also need to be removed before the transfer can take place.

Don’t cancel your existing service before moving. Only active numbers can be transferred, so cancelling before you move will render your current number unavailable.

Answer 2

Yes you can. This process is called "porting". It is a fairly seamless process that your new carrier can do on your behalf. It generally takes up to 4 hours for the transfer to occur. You need to keep your number current so do not disconnect with your current provider before you port your number.