Can I keep my business telephone number?

Yes, in almost every case. UK geographic numbers (the 01 and 02 numbers businesses have traded on for decades) are portable between providers under rules set by Ofcom. The same applies to most 03, 08 and 07 ranges, though some specialist number types have extra conditions.

Changing provider does not mean changing your number, and your customers never need to know it happened.

You ask your new provider to port the numbers, and they arrange the transfer with the losing provider. Your current provider must supply the porting authorisation details promptly; for simple cases the port itself typically completes on the next working day after it is scheduled.

Two rules matter on your side. First, the account holding the numbers must be in your name and match the details on the port request; mismatches are the most common reason ports get rejected and delayed. Second, keep the existing service active until the port completes.

Never cancel your lines and then try to port the numbers afterwards. Once the underlying service is disconnected, the numbers enter a notice period and can be lost permanently. Every number porting horror story starts with somebody cancelling first and porting second.

The safe order is always: order the new service, port the numbers onto it, then cancel the old service. Any provider or partner who suggests doing it the other way round should be shown the door.

Businesses with a phone system often have a block of numbers, plus direct dials and hunt group numbers routed through it. These can all be ported, but block ports take more coordination than a single line, and the call flows on the new system need to be mapped before cutover so nothing rings into silence.

It is routine work when it is planned properly. If you tell us the numbers you have, we will tell you what can be ported and what it takes.