Tips to ensure a smooth porting experience
Prerequisites for Operator Connect services:
How can we facilitate a seamless porting experience? This is a question we frequently encounter, and understandably so. Porting might appear intricate if you're unfamiliar with the procedure. However, armed with the correct insights and methodology, it can actually unfold quite smoothly.
We've consulted our porting experts to offer guidance that ensures a hassle-free porting process.
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1. Clarification of Terminology:
The realm of acronyms and telecommunications technology is tightly interwoven. Irrespective of your chosen provider, certain terms demand your familiarity.
A crucial step involves acquainting yourself with the acronyms linked to the port transition. This will provide you with insight into the underlying processes. While your chosen carrier should walk you through these specifics and enhance your understanding, proactively gaining knowledge in this realm is a prudent move.
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Local Number Portability (LNP): This validates the coverage of your new carrier in the geographic region previously serviced by your former carrier.
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Local Service Request (LSR): The submission made by the successful carrier to the relinquishing carrier to initiate the order transfer process.
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Letter of Authorization (LOA): An agreement provided by the new carrier, requiring your signature, granting consent for the porting process.
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Caller Name Information (CNAM): In the scenario of phone number migration to a new network, the CNAM denotes the actual caller name displayed when a customer makes outbound calls. While Caller ID represents the phone number, CNAM corresponds to the name associated with that number.
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Directory Listing: These encompass the numbers recorded within the phone book directory.
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Firm Order Commit Date (FOC): The designated date when your existing or relinquishing carrier permits the transfer of telephone numbers.
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Bill Telephone Number (BTN): The 10-digit telephone number linked to which you receive service-related charges.
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Customer Service Request/Record (CSR): A request initiated by an authorized representative of a customer, marking the commencement of a confirmed service action within the standard service delivery process.
2. Familiarize Yourself with Accurate Account Details
Understanding your account information holds immense significance. Precision in this realm forms the foundation of a smooth porting process.
Ensuring the accuracy of critical details, such as your address, company name, and comparable particulars, is paramount. Any inaccuracies or misspellings can lead to the rejection of your port request.
Accurate account information serves as the cornerstone for a successful porting endeavor.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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Double-check the accuracy of your account details.
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Verify that crucial information is correctly spelled and stated.
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Be vigilant about the precision of your address and company name.
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Authorize the individual executing the porting process. The authorized party is the person entrusted with effecting changes to the account held with the relinquishing carrier. It is their responsibility to ascertain that the appropriate Billing Telephone Number (BTN) is linked to the account, alongside the accurate telephone numbers associated with the same account.
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Ensure awareness of account passwords or their removal (when feasible). When communicating with customer service representatives, passwords tied to the account will likely be requested. The authorized party must have these passwords at their fingertips. Otherwise, the port request might be declined, and there is a potential for the account to be locked.
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Confirm the absence of any Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC) freezes. These freezes are pertinent to alterations in long-distance carriers, or they might pertain to Local Number Portability (LNP) freezes applicable to your account.
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The central message to take away is to be well-prepared and at ease with providing responses regarding specific account particulars.
3. Ensure Absence of Pending Orders Linked to Your Account
Imagine this scenario: A customer enrolls with your services, initiating a new subscription. Subsequently, they reach out to their former carrier, requesting termination and placing a disconnect order. The outcome? Their existing account becomes locked.
Diverse categories of orders exist, encompassing:
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Change Orders
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Record Orders
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Disconnect Orders
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Transfer Orders
It's vital to note that no impending orders can be concurrently submitted using the same Billing Telephone Number (BTN) and account number. In the event this situation arises, and your network endeavors to port a fresh phone number, the porting process will encounter rejection. This leads to the revision of your designated date and necessitates the annulment of your prior pending order.
It's prudent to invest the effort to meticulously ascertain that no pending orders are associated with your account.
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4. Determine Your Preferred Porting Date
The date we formally request often aligns with the Firm Order Commitment (FOC) date. It's crucial to ensure that the date you specify indeed corresponds to the day you desire for the telephone numbers to be transferred. Precision in setting this date is paramount to avert unnecessary expenses and time wastage.
Deviating from your established date can lead to restarting the entire process. Thus, maintaining consistency with your selected date is highly recommended.
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5. Letters of Authorization (LOAs) for the Transfer/Porting of Existing Phone Numbers
Should you find the need to transition your current phone numbers from another service provider to Teams, the process entails obtaining, completing, signing, and subsequently transmitting a Letter of Authorization (LOA). This LOA furnishes FirstNet with the authority to request and oversee, on your behalf, the transfer of these pre-existing numbers from a distinct service provider.
After obtaining and duly signing the LOA, the subsequent step involves returning these documents to us timeously.
In instances that warrant special consideration, such as a substantial volume of number ports (exceeding 100), intricate porting scenarios, or whenever you necessitate additional support, please don't hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Get in touch with us by calling 0861 989 896 or by emailing sales@firstnet.co.za
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6. Understand How The Port Will Be Transitioned
Understanding how the porting process works will ensure a seamless transition that follows your established timelines.
As an illustration, if numbers are set to port at 8 a.m. on a Friday morning, it's highly probable that your numbers will be fully transferred within the hour. It's advisable to maintain vigilance to confirm the success of your porting endeavor, and make allowances for slight variations in completion times.
Additional resources
Understanding how the porting process works will ensure a seamless transition that follows your established timelines.
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For information about licensing and, see OC licensing options explained (LINK)
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To assist you in choosing the correct type of phone numbers, read Different kinds of phone numbers used for Calling Plans and services. (LINK)
Need Porting Support? First Technology Can Help
You now understand what it takes to ensure a quick and easy transition to port your numbers. First Technology specializes in cloud communications, and SIP trunking, and modern telephony solutions, providing reliable services and support through every step of the process.
Get in touch with us by calling 0861 989 896 or by emailing sales@firstnet.co.za