What Is Number Porting
Number porting is the process of transferring your existing phone number from your current carrier to DVGVoIP. Once ported, your number continues to work exactly as before — calls ring on your DVGVoIP system instead of your old provider. Your customers, suppliers, and contacts keep using the same number they always have.
Porting is governed by Canadian telecommunications regulations (CRTC), and all carriers are required to support it. DVGVoIP handles the porting request on your behalf, coordinating directly with your current carrier. You do not need to contact your old provider or cancel your service before porting — the port itself triggers the transfer.
Important: Do not cancel your service with your current carrier before the port completes. Cancelling early can result in the number being released and becoming unavailable to port.
Before You Start — Check If Your Number Can Be Ported
Most Canadian local numbers can be ported, but some numbers — particularly VoIP numbers from smaller providers, numbers that have been previously ported multiple times, or numbers tied to legacy services — can occasionally take longer or have restrictions.
Use DVGVoIP's free number portability checker to confirm your number before submitting a porting request:
Check your number portability at dvgvoip.com/port-my-number →
The tool performs a real-time carrier lookup and tells you who currently holds the number. If the result shows an unexpected carrier, contact DVGVoIP before proceeding — this may indicate the number was previously ported and additional steps are needed.
What Information You Need to Provide
To submit a porting request, DVGVoIP will ask you for the following information. This must match exactly what is on file with your current carrier — even minor discrepancies (a missing period in a business name, for example) can cause the request to be rejected.
| Required Item | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| The phone number(s) to be ported | Your current phone bill or account portal |
| Account number with your current carrier | Your monthly invoice (top of the bill) |
| Account PIN or passcode | Set when you opened the account; call your carrier to reset if forgotten |
| Billing address on the account | Your current invoice — use exactly as shown |
| Authorized account holder name | The name on the account, as it appears on the invoice |
If you are porting a toll-free number (1-800, 1-833, 1-866, etc.), you will also need your Resp Org ID. DVGVoIP can help you locate this if needed.
Typical Porting Timelines
Porting timelines vary depending on the type of number and the responsiveness of your current carrier.
| Number Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Local geographic numbers (e.g., 807 area code) | 5 to 10 business days |
| Numbers from major carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus) | 5 to 7 business days |
| Numbers from smaller or regional carriers | 7 to 14 business days |
| Toll-free numbers (800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888) | Up to 4 weeks |
| Numbers flagged for manual review | Up to 3 weeks — DVGVoIP will keep you updated |
DVGVoIP will confirm a specific port date with you once the request is accepted by your current carrier. This is called the Firm Order Commitment (FOC) date.
What Happens on Port Day
On the day your number is scheduled to transfer, here is what to expect:
- DVGVoIP will notify you in advance of the port date and time window, typically a 2-hour window during business hours.
- At the scheduled time, your number will be released from your current carrier and activated on the DVGVoIP network.
- There will be a brief service interruption — typically 15 to 30 minutes — during which calls to your number may not connect. This is normal and expected.
- Once the port completes, calls to your number will begin ringing on your DVGVoIP system automatically. No changes are needed on your end.
- DVGVoIP will send you a confirmation once the port is complete and your number is fully active.
Tip: Schedule the port for a time that causes minimum disruption to your business — mid-afternoon on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often a good choice. Avoid porting on Mondays or the day before a holiday.
What to Do in the Meantime
While your porting request is in progress, DVGVoIP will provide you with a temporary number that you can use immediately. This temporary number is fully functional and can be used to test your DVGVoIP system, train staff, and handle calls while you wait for the port to complete.
You can share the temporary number with staff internally, but you do not need to give it to customers — your existing number remains active with your current carrier until port day, so there is no gap in service.
Once the port completes, the temporary number can be retained as a secondary line or released — let DVGVoIP know your preference.
If the Port Is Rejected
Occasionally, a porting request is rejected by the losing carrier. Common reasons include a mismatch in the account information provided, the account being past due, or the number being tied to a bundled service that requires separate handling.
DVGVoIP will notify you immediately if a rejection occurs and explain the reason. In most cases, the issue can be corrected and the request resubmitted within 1 to 2 business days. Rejections do not mean the number cannot be ported — they almost always mean a piece of information needs to be corrected.
Need Help?
Open a support ticket by emailing support@dvgvoip.com before calling — this helps us resolve your issue faster. Or call (807) 700-7111.