How to Transfer Toll Free Number from One Carrier to Another

If you’re thinking about shifting to another phone carrier, the process is pretty simple—but there are a few things you need to be mindful of before and during your transition process. 

There could be a number of reasons behind your decision to change, and you should take the time to research which carrier is best for you.

A toll free number is vital for your business, as it ensures that the customer inquiries you rely on keep coming in. It is really important to follow certain steps to ensure that you have minimal downtime and don’t miss out on any potential opportunities during the transfer.

This article will take you through the aforementioned steps involved, as well as things to consider every step of the way. 

1. Research different carriers beforehand

The first step is to know what you’re getting into. Talk to other businesses and read online reviews to get a good picture of how each carrier deals with such requests. You may come across disgruntled customers who have faced issues like long wait time or increased downtime during the transition process. This would indicate that the company does not have the required expertise.  

Think carefully about why you are transferring your number—is the new provider giving you better value for money? Will they be able to provide for all your business needs? Many companies will take your business, set you up and leave you unsupported after. You need to opt for a provider that’s dedicated to round-the-clock support even post set-up, especially if you’re new to cloud technologies.

Once you’ve completed your research, you can then decide which provider is best for you and your business needs.

2. Notify your existing provider of your transfer 

Once you’ve found your new carrier and are ready to take the leap, you need to inform your existing carrier of the same. This makes sure they can prepare everything for you on their end with plenty of time to spare, and also saves you from any unexpected downtime. 

This is also a good opportunity to discuss termination procedures and charges if any. Some carriers do charge a fee and some don’t. It just depends on who you are transferring from and to. The company can also advise you on how long these changes usually take, and whether there are any limitations before you even get started.

Informing your existing carrier on time helps expedite and smoothen your toll free number transfer, and to minimize any extra costs.

3. Ensure you give both sides enough time

Transferring toll free numbers can take anywhere between a few days to several weeks to complete, and therefore, preparation is paramount.

If you collate all your details, needs, and queries beforehand, this will surely speed up the process. 

However, these things can be unpredictable so you must be prepared to wait while the number transfer goes through. You should also remember that in some cases, transferring your free phone number does not necessarily mean you have canceled your contract with the existing carrier. So, you must ensure that you are able to leave your contract without penalty and that the new provider can get you up and running on time.

4. Provide information to your new carrier

This step will vary depending on your location. In the UK, carriers may ask for a range of information to help speed the free phone number transfer process along. But competent providers like CallCenterHosting can handle all the tedious documentation without hassling the customer. 

If you are based in the USA, however, you will need to complete a Responsible Organisation Change Authorisation form and send this to your new carrier. 

Some carriers will ask for a letter of authorization to carry out the transfer. Essentially,  it depends on where you and the carrier are located since you’ll have to follow the regulatory requirements of the locale.

Regardless of the method, the information provided to your new carrier must be completely accurate and match the information your existing carrier holds. If it does not match or there is some discrepancy, your request may be rejected. This would cause delays and downtime while your business will be unreachable by your customers.

You should be able to provide proof of ownership of the free phone number and company information. Since proper documentation can take time, you should find out the requirements well before you start the process. This way, you can be completely prepared and speed up the process by having all the relevant information at hand.

Once these formalities are out of the way, your new carrier will submit a free phone number transfer request and your existing carrier will release your number to them.

Benefits of Transferring Your Toll Free Number to CallCenterHosting

By transferring your toll free number to CallCenterHosting, you are ensuring that you benefit not just from the number itself but also from the amazing features we provide to our customers. Our call center solutions give businesses the freedom and flexibility to work from wherever they want to, with innovative solutions to stay connected and save money.

We also guarantee dedicated support and technical assistance at all times. Right from onboarding to well beyond, a team of experts is always on stand-by. They can fix issues or offer advice to help you navigate the sometimes tricky process of transferring your free phone number from your existing carrier.

CallCenterHosting also gives customers access to their online portal, where they can access a range of insightful analytics on everything from call times and costs, to call recordings and agent performance statistics. 

These analytics empower our customers to take control of their phone systems and make informed decisions about their business. We ensure that customers have all the information they need to make the most of their phone system and at no extra cost.

If you’d like to find out more about how to transfer your toll free number, contact our team today on 1-800-346-4974 or simply drop us an email at sales@callcenterhosting.com.