Number Porting and Telco Embargo in Australia
Number porting is the process of transferring phone numbers (DIDs) from the current provider (the “losing carrier”) to a new service provider (the “gaining carrier”). This allows businesses to retain existing phone number(s) when switching providers, choosing a service that better suits their needs.
Australian providers, like Telstra and Optus, pause or limit number porting for local and landline, plus 1300/1800 numbers over the holiday season. For example, the 2024/2025 Telco holiday embargo starts on December 19th, 2024 and ends on January. Ports should be completed by the business day before to avoid possible delays. Within the same context, Restricted Work period is 14 to 18 December 2024 and 8 to 14 January 2025.
If you need help with number porting, please contact us. We can make it a smooth and stress-free process, no matter how complex your services are or how difficult your current provider is trying to make it! We all know at least one big carrier like that!!!
Porting Categories and Fees
Most providers charge porting fees based on the complexity of the service:
- Simple (CAT A) Port: Single standalone numbers.
- Complex (CAT C) Port: Multi-line services or numbers with additional features like line hunts, ISDN, or Telstra DoT.
- First Port Free with Breeze Connect: Your first port-in request with Breeze Connect is free. For any re-submissions due to carrier rejection or document errors, standard CAT A or CAT C fees will apply.
Common fees may include:
- Number Porting Fee: Applied to any resubmissions if the port is rejected.
- Reschedule Fee: If a port cutover (transfer) date needs to be changed.
- Emergency Return Fee: To revert to the original carrier if issues arise post-port.
It is highly recommended to verify account details, list of associated number(s), and relevant fees with your current carrier to avoid delays, port rejections, and extra charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I port a single number from a range?
No, entire number ranges, such as 100-number blocks, must be ported together if they are part of a complex service.
Will there be downtime?
There may be a short downtime on the cutover date, during which callers might hear a “service disconnected” message. Ports typically complete in a few minutes but can take up to two hours.
How do I know if my port is CAT A or CAT C?
Check with your current carrier. CAT A ports are usually single, standalone numbers, while CAT C ports are for multi-line or complex services.
Simplifying Complex Ports with Exchanged-Based Diversion (EBD)
For complex services, POST-PAID EBD (Exchange-Based Diversion – must be POST-PAID), aka CDNO as used in some Telstra documents, can convert numbers into a virtual status, removing features like line hunts or Telstra DoT and making them eligible for simpler CAT A porting. During this process you can forward incoming calls to client’s main number to a temporary number on new carrier’s network unconditionally. This requires active numbers, temporary DIDs for diversion, and requests through the losing carrier’s local number provisioning team. EBD generally completes in 1-3 business days, after which the gaining carrier can port the numbers as CAT A.
Porting Timelines
- Category A: Typically 5-10 business days.
- Category C: Can take 30-60 days due to complexity.
Important Notice:
Porting can be delicate and complex. To avoid interruptions, ensure all details are accurate and inform your losing carrier of any changes to avoid ongoing billing. If you need help managing the porting process or minimizing risks, please contact us.
