How to switch providers without losing your number

You may be considering modernizing your phone system and switching providers, but you don’t want to lose the business number that all your customers already know. Number portability allows exactly that: keeping your number while gaining better features.

In this article, we clearly explain what number portability is, how to do it, and what you need to keep in mind when changing providers.

What Is number portability?

Number portability is the process that allows you to switch telecom providers without losing your current phone number. The number remains the same for your customers, but it is managed through a different platform or provider.

From a business perspective, it’s not just about keeping your number—it’s about maintaining a key communication channel without interruptions. This migration enables businesses to move from a basic or limited system (traditional telephony) to a cloud-based PBX with advanced features—such as IVR menus, call queues, recordings, or integrations—without changing the number or notifying customers.

Why port a phone number?

The decision to port a number is closely tied to the need for better communication capabilities or simply reducing call costs.

That’s why many companies and freelancers decide to port their number when:

• They want to switch to VoIP telephony to gain more flexibility and handle calls from any device.
• They need a more complete and cost-effective PBX system, with features such as IVR menus, call queues, analytics, call recording, or even AI-powered automations.
• They are looking for CRM integration or other management tools to automatically log calls and access customer history.
• Their current system is no longer sufficient, and they need a scalable solution—whether due to team growth, expansion into new markets, or increased call volume.

How to port your number step by step

The process is not complicated, and the provider is the one responsible for carrying it out. However, it is important to submit all the necessary information and documents from the beginning to avoid delays or issues. To port your number to Megacall:

1. Sign up on the Megacall platform.
2. Make a prepayment for number maintenance or activate a pricing plan.
3. Create a support request in your personal area via a ticket, where you will need to provide the phone bill (including the subscriber’s full name, address, and the number to be ported).
4. Complete your personal and address details in the “Settings - My Profile” section.

Number portability is free when you make a 1-year upfront prepayment, which is around €24 + VAT.

It will be checked whether the number and country are eligible for portability. It is also important to note that the submitted invoice must be recent—no older than six months—to be valid, and it must clearly show the number and the relevant details.

Our recommendation is that during the portability period, you take advantage of the time to fully configure your virtual PBX before the switch date arrives: opening hours, extensions, IVR, call queues, voicemail, etc. This way, when the moment comes, the number is immediately routed into a fully operational system, and downtime is reduced to the absolute minimum.

Why port your existing number to Megacall

You may be coming from a traditional phone system or from another virtual PBX, but in both cases the goal is the same: improve what you already have without losing your number.

If you are currently using a traditional phone number and want to keep it, portability is the most direct way to move to VoIP telephony. You go from a limited system tied to a physical location to a much more flexible solution.

On the other hand, if you already have a virtual PBX, the motivation for porting is usually different—such as needing more control over calls, better integrations, or a more complete yet accessible platform. In this case, the focus is on optimizing processes, gaining better visibility over calls, or integrating telephony with a CRM.

With Megacall, you can make full use of your existing number and avoid limiting it to basic call handling. You can use the number from any device, configure call forwarding, set working hours, create IVR menus, or even go further and automate your calls by assigning virtual agents to handle them.

Finally, it is important to highlight that Megacall allows number portability in multiple key international markets. This includes both landline and toll-free number portability in countries such as Germany, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, among others.

Additionally, in certain cases, mobile number portability is also available in some markets, such as Belgium, the United Kingdom, or Denmark, further expanding the options for companies with an international presence or multi-country communication needs.

FAQs – Number Portability

What happens if it is not possible to port my number to Megacall?

If the number cannot be ported, there is the option of connecting it as an external line. In this case, incoming calls to your number are forwarded to this line, which acts as a gateway so the PBX can manage the calls.

Does number portability have any cost?

Number portability at Megacall is free as long as one of two conditions is met: you make a one-year advance payment for the number fee, or you subscribe to one of the available plans. If none of these options apply, portability would have a one-time cost of €20.

Can I port an international number?

Yes, international numbers can be ported, but it depends on the country and the type of numbering, as each country has its own regulations. For example, mobile numbers are not available for portability in all countries. Before starting the process, it is important to check whether the number is eligible for portability.

What happens if the details do not match in the porting process?

All details must match between the request and the current operator’s invoice information. Otherwise, the request will be rejected, which will delay the number portability process.