Just wanna port away? We know how you feel. So, we wrote a song about it.
There are a variety of reasons why your number is not porting away from NumberBarn. One thing is for certain: we’re not holding your number hostage (we’re much too busy on the farm to bother with that).
This article will help you narrow down why your number may not be exiting the Barn.
“Porting” simply means transferring your existing landline or cell phone number from one telephone service provider to another. When you “port in” your number from your current provider to NumberBarn, the number still belongs to you. We’re just taking care of it. Under the FCC’s “local number portability” (LNP) rules, you are legally able to keep your number when you move or change phone companies.
Select which applies to you:
- (A) You just purchased a fabulous new number from NumberBarn.
- (B) You ported your number from another provider to NumberBarn
Select (A)? You’ll want to mind the activation time frame:
- This time frame is visible before you purchase the number as well as afterward in your NumberBarn control panel.
- The number will not be “active” until that time frame completes.
- We email you once the number is active.
- Once you receive that email, you can initiate your port request to your new provider.
Watch this video to learn more:
Select (B)? You’ll want to find out the reason for rejection:
If you submitted your port request from NumberBarn to a new provider and the request was rejected, there is a reason for this.
**You will want to ask your new provider why the request was rejected. Here are some potential reasons:
Inactive number: your number must be active, not deleted, and your account must be in good standing (no unpaid balances).
- To verify, login to your account and select Numbers. Does your number appear on the page? If so, it’s active! Then, select Account then View Bill. Do you have any unpaid balances or is your account in a suspended status?
Address mismatch: Your account details are available from within the number Options in your NumberBarn account. Verify what you have on your request matches what is on file with us.
- To find your account details, login to your NumberBarn account, select Numbers from the navigation bar. Select your number then choose the Options tab. Locate Porting Away? View Account Details.
Account number/PIN mismatch: Your account details are available from within your number Options. Verify what you have on your request matches what is on file with us. If you don’t see a PIN or account number, contact us.
- To find your account details, login to your NumberBarn account, select Numbers from the navigation bar. Select your number then choose the Options tab. Locate Porting Away? View Account Details.
Porting to Google Voice or Cricket Wireless: There are extra steps that you’ll need to take to port to either of these carriers. We’ve ironed out the steps to take and you can find them here.
Common Questions About Porting Away
How long does it take to port my number away?
It can take anywhere from around 3-7 business days on average to port a number away.
Can I port my toll free number to a cell phone?
No. Toll free numbers can not be ported to a wireless carrier. Toll free numbers can only be ported to a landline or VoIP carrier.
Cellular phones and VoIP can be used with any number. However, landlines must be associated with an area code for the region it is in. So while you can use a California 951 area code for a cellphone or VOIP carrier in New York (as an example), you would need a local New York area code such as 646 for a landline.
Please note: Not every phone number in your area code will work at every address in your area code. This is true of all numbers in the country. If you move outside of your “rate center”, even your current landline number would not work at your new address. It has to do with the legacy telecom switch network. VOIP and wireless carriers are not bound by these restrictions. They use the internet and cell towers, respectively, independent of the telecom switch network.
Please contact your landline carrier first and ask them if the number you are interested in will work at the physical address you want your phone number to work at before ordering or buying your new phone number.
Have more questions? Contact our customer support!
We’re NumberBarn, we take phone numbers very seriously. But, we also like to have a little fun. To learn more about us, visit NumberBarn.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
