Yes, you can transfer your landline number to VoIP. It’s known as number porting, and Ofcom protects the process, so most providers in the UK will do it for free or charge a nominal one-off fee.
The primary concern that businesses have when moving to VoIP is whether they will be required to change their telephone number. Updating every business card, website, invoice, and directory listing is a hassle, and for established businesses, a recognisable number is an asset.
This guide explains all, including whether you can port your number, the steps in the process, how long it takes, what it costs, mistakes people make, and also the impact of the BT switch-off on your landline number.
Key takeaways
You have the legal right to port your landline number to VoIP, as Ofcom requires all UK providers to facilitate it.
Never cancel your existing landline service before porting is fully complete.
The BT PSTN switch-off (January 2027) means all copper landlines will be disconnected.
Key documents needed for porting are the following: account number, billing address, account holder name, recent phone bill, and signed Letter of Authority.
Test your internet connection before switching; you need at least 1 Mbps upload and download per concurrent call.
Use ComparedBusiness UK to compare and find the best VoIP provider.
What Is Number Porting?
Porting a number is the procedure for moving your old phone number from one service to your VoIP provider, in this case, from your copper landline.
All telecoms providers must support number portability in the UK, according to Ofcom. This means that your existing provider will not be able to prevent or block the transfer. Your phone number is yours, not the company’s, and you can take it with you when you leave.
The VoIP provider you select does the technical coordination with your current provider. You initiate a porting request, submit the required documents, and the transfer occurs in the background. You continue using your previous landline through the changeover.
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How To Transfer Your Landline Number To VoIP: Step-By-Step Process
The porting process is straightforward when you know what to expect. Here is the complete process:
| # | What To Do | Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Step 1 |
Check If Your Number Is Portable |
Contact your current provider and your new VoIP provider to confirm your number can be ported. Most 01, 02, and 03 geographic numbers qualify. |
|
Step 2 |
Gather Your Account Information |
You will need: account holder name, account number, billing address, and a recent phone bill. Accuracy here is critical; errors are the most common cause of delays. |
|
Step 3 |
Choose A VoIP Providers And Submit A Porting Request |
Choose a VoIP provider that suits your budget and needs. Submit your porting request through the portal, including a signed Letter of Authority (LOA) that authorises the transfer. |
|
Step 4 |
Wait For 2 To 4 Weeks For The Transfer |
Porting timelines vary. Keep your existing landline active throughout; cancelling early means losing your number permanently. |
|
Step 5 |
Set Up Your VoIP Account And Devices |
While the port is in progress, configure your VoIP system, softphones, desk phones, or apps. Your provider will supply setup instructions. |
|
Step 6 |
Test Your New VoIP System |
Once porting is confirmed complete, make and receive test calls using your ported number. Check that all features work as expected. |
|
Step 7 |
Cancel Your Old Landline Service |
Only cancel your old landline after you’ve confirmed everything is working. You may pay for both briefly; that overlap is worth it. |
What Type Of Landline Numbers Can Be Tranferred To VoIP?
Most UK landline numbers are portable, but it’s worth checking before you sign up with a new VoIP provider. Here is a quick breakdown:
Geographic Numbers (prefixes 01 and 02)
Those are the simplest to port. Standard UK geographic and city numbers, including London 020, Manchester 0161, or any local UK 01/02 number, can be easily ported to VoIP without any hurdles.
03 Numbers
All non-geographic 03 business and organisation numbers are typically portable, meaning they can be moved from one supplier to another. But make sure to check with your new provider just to confirm before signing up.
0800 and Freephone Numbers
0800 freephone numbers are frequently portable, but the process can be more complicated, and some VoIP providers simply do not support them. Make sure to check your eligibility before you sign up.
0845 and 0870 Numbers
Mostly, these revenue-sharing numbers are portable; transferability again depends on your current provider and the VoIP provider you choose. Verify before proceeding.
Numbers From Remote Or Rural Areas
Numbers from remote exchanges may, in rare cases, face portability restrictions. If your number is local and you’re in a rural area, check with your prospective VoIP provider; never assume your number qualifies.
Number of Suspended or Inactive Accounts
It is impossible to port a number on hold. Porting requests are only accepted if your account is active and in good standing, meaning all outstanding balances must be settled.
How Long Does Number Porting Take?
Some providers will complete the port within 1 business day for a single geographic number. In reality, most transfers take between two and four weeks, depending on the following factors:
- The availability of the providers themselves varies; while some have quicker internal processes, others do not.
- The number of lines being ported also affects the speed of the process; multiple-line migrations are slower.
- Complete documentation, lack of information, or incorrect details lead to rejection.
- Whether or not your number has any use restrictions, for instance, a non-geographic number or a rural exchange.
If you want to port your number quickly, for instance, to coincide with a business move or office refurbishment, ask your VoIP provider whether they can speed up the request before signing anything.
What Does It Cost To Port Your Landline Number To VoIP?
Most VoIP providers offer free number porting as part of their sign-up. Some charge a one-off port fee or an ongoing minor monthly fee to keep your number, which has been ported.
Here are the typical costs:
- One-Time Porting Fee: £10 to £30.
- Monthly Cost To Retain a Ported Number: £5 to £10.
- Free Porting: Included as a standard by many reputable VoIP providers.
Make sure you enquire with your respective VoIP provider for a transparent and detailed description of how much they charge to port before entering into a contract with them.
Compare multiple quotes from VoIP providers using ComparedBusiness UK and save money for your business.
Number Porting Timeline: What To Expect?
Here is a clear overview of the important factors you need to consider during your number porting:
| What’s Involved | What You Need To Know |
|---|---|
|
Transferring a Single Line |
Most businesses are using their new VoIP number within 10 days |
|
Transferring Multiple Lines |
Multiple-line migration takes longer; it can take several weeks depending on your provider |
|
Upfront Porting Cost |
Most providers do it for free, while some charge a nominal one-time fee of £10 to £30 |
|
Ongoing Number Charge |
It is rarely charged, but some VoIP providers take a £5 to £10 monthly fee to retain a ported number |
|
Your Existing Line |
Keep your landline active until your VoIP provider confirms the transfer is done |
Key factors to consider before Switching
Apart from the porting process, we have also discussed some important factors that you need to consider when switching from a landline phone system to a VoIP..
Internet connection
There are only two requirements to set up a basic VoIP system:
- A VoIP software subscription.
- An internet connection.
Your existing internet connection should be strong enough to support the operation of a VoIP system. Otherwise, you might need to update it as well.
Time consideration
The process of porting can take anywhere from 8 days to 4 weeks. This duration depends on a number of factors like the number of lines of your VoIP connection, the geographical area of connection, and the type of VoIP and landline providers you are working with. That’s why it is important to take a mental note of the time it’ll take for the whole process to complete. If you want to speed it up, contact your VoIP provider to see if they can accommodate your request.
Cost factor
The following factors influence the cost of transferring your landline phone number to VoIP:
- Your area of connection.
- Vary with each provider.
- Whether you are using cloud or hosted VoIP.
Some VoIP providers include number porting for free as part of their service package, while others charge a one-time fee or a recurring monthly fee to keep your ported number. On average, the one-time fee ranges from £10 to £30, while the monthly fee (if applicable) falls between £5 and £10. To get the best deal, compare quotes from multiple providers and choose the one that fits your budget.
Landline Number Porting To VoIP and The BT PSTN Switch-Off
If you’re still using a copper landline, then there’s a key cut-off date you must be aware of: BT and Openreach are switching off the UK’s PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) in January 2027. That means all copper-based landline services, standard BT landlines, or ISDN connections, will be switched off.
So every business still using a copper landline will have to switch to either a digital or VoIP-based service before then. And here is a key point: if you wait and don’t make it until the last minute, you might end up losing your number in the last-minute migration chaos.
What does it mean to port your landline number to VoIP now?
- You have a number that has been securely migrated to a long-lasting digital service.
- No risk of losing your number at the 2027 switchover deadline.
- Straightaway, you gain access to the advanced features and lower costs of VoIP.
- You’re not tied to ageing copper infrastructure anymore.
Sticking with the copper landline arrangement isn’t practical for many UK-based businesses, and it’s worthwhile to switch in advance, rather than later.
What Happens To Your Landline Once You’ve Ported?
When your number ports over to your VoIP provider, the service for the copper landline automatically ends. You will still have the physical line, but your phone service through it will be disconnected, sort of like having the electricity cut off from an outlet. You still have a wire, but nothing passes through.
Keep your landline active until porting is complete
The number one rule of porting is to never cancel your existing landline service until you receive written confirmation from your VoIP provider that porting is fully complete and you have tested calls on the new system. If you cancel early, you might lose your number permanently.
Does the move to VoIP affect future improvements in broadband?
No. If you are still waiting for full fibre (FTTP) to arrive in your area, cancelling your copper landline will not affect your ability to upgrade. Openreach does FTTP rollout on an address basis, not whether you have an active phone line or not. So, you can sign up for FTTP broadband once your area is available with any ISP.
What If My VoIP Provider Refuses To Port My Landline Number?
Number porting is mandatory under Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement for all UK telecoms providers. That means your existing provider cannot refuse a legitimate port request, delay the process unnecessarily, or impose transfer conditions.
If your current provider is holding up the process:
- Write to them and refer to your Ofcom rights regarding number portability.
- Make a formal complaint using your provider’s complaints process.
- Refer to an ADR scheme, either Ombudsman Services Communications or CISAS, if your provider has not resolved the issue in 8 weeks. Both are free to use.
- Alternatively, you can issue the same report to Ofcom directly on their website.
In practice, there is not much obstruction; providers mostly comply voluntarily. But it is better to know your rights before you get going.
Advantages of switching to a VoIP system
By switching your number from a landline to a VoIP, you will get access to various long-term benefits that will prove useful for your business operation in the long term.
Cost efficient
A VoIP phone system is cheaper than a landline in many ways.
- Doesn’t require a physical wired setup: A VoIP system only requires a good internet connection for its operation. It doesn’t require a hectic physical infrastructure, unlike a traditional landline system, for which you have to pay for a proper copper wire system.
- Lower per-user cost: A landline phone system costs around £14/user on average in the UK. However, a VoIP plan starts from as low as £7/user. This means almost a 50% cut in the overall cost.
- No requirement to buy new hardware: You can easily use VoIP on any device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, or a softphone). With a VoIP adaptor, you can even use your old landline desk phones for your VoIP system, so you might never need to purchase any additional hardware.
Portability
VoIP devices are highly portable; as long as you have an internet connection, you can take your VoIP device anywhere to make and receive calls. This is a perfect solution for remote teams to stay connected. VoIP also allows you to give shared numbers to multiple employees.
Ease of adding or removing phone lines
A VoIP system conveniently allows you to add or remove phone lines without making any major changes. On the other hand, if you wish to add or remove users in a landline system, you will have to install a new line for each user physically.
Advanced features
VoIP offers more than just calling; its special features make it a reliable option for businesses. One of them is called call transferring, which helps VoIP calls to be redirected to the relevant line among teams.
Apart from transferring calls, VoIP also allows video conferencing, screen sharing, call analytics, and integration with business systems. All these features greatly enhance teamwork, work efficiency, and communication in workplaces.
Common Porting Mistakes To Avoid
It is possible to avoid a lot of trouble and frustration by learning from the mistakes others have made before you.
Here we have listed down some of the most common mistakes people make when they port their number from a landline to VoIP and how you can avoid them:
Mistake 1: Cancelling Your Old Service Too Soon
This is by far one of the most common mistakes that has cost users the most money. Some customers, eager to turn off the payment for their old landline, cancel the service as soon as they sign up with a VoIP provider. The result? They lose their number permanently if the porting is not completed before cancellation.
How To Avoid It:
Don’t cancel your existing landline service until your new VoIP provider tells you that the port is completed 100%.
Ensure you have made a test and received calls with your new VoIP service, using the ported number, before cancelling your existing service. Yes, you have to pay for both services if they overlap, but that small price is worth ensuring you keep your number.
Mistake 2: Giving Inaccurate Account Information
Providing inaccurate account information can lead to port requests getting declined, and that can add even more weeks to the timeline.
Common accuracy problems include:
- Misspelling the account holder’s name.
- Listing the billing address as an old address.
- Entering an incorrect account number.
- Using nickname rather than the real name
How To Avoid It:
Please consult your most recent phone bill and accurately transfer the information as recorded. Triple-check all of these details before you submit your porting request. If you haven’t received any of the information, call your existing provider to check your account details.
Mistake 3: Trying To Port An Inactive Or Suspended Account
To successfully port your landline to VoIP, you should make sure it is active. If your line is currently suspended (for any reason), then the port request will fail.
How To Prevent It:
Prior to starting the porting process:
- Settle the remaining balance of all your dues.
- Confirm there are no disputes or holds on the account for payment.
- Verify there is a working dial tone on your line and it can receive/make calls.
- Settle contract issues with your current provider.
Mistake 4: Inaccurate Documentation
Documentation requirements vary between VoIP providers. If you’re missing any documents or if the forms are not filled in correctly, it will delay your number porting.
How To Avoid It:
- Before you begin, ask your VoIP provider for a full list of required documents.
- Complete all authorisation forms, leaving no sections blank.
- Attach legible documents that support your claim (photocopies of your latest bill or ID).
- Keep copies of what you submit for yourself.
- Follow up to make sure your provider has received all of your paperwork.
Mistake 5: Not Testing The Quality Of Your Internet Connection
VoIP services will be impossible to use without an internet connection. In some cases, people port their number and find out that their internet isn’t strong enough for quality voice calls.
How To Prevent It:
Test your internet connection before porting:
- Do a speed test to verify that you have a minimum of 1 Mbps of upload and download speed for each concurrent call.
- Check the call quality of VoIP with your provider’s test service or a temporary number.
- Make sure that your latency is not too high and also eliminate any jitter problems.
- If using a mobile broadband connection, you will need to have a stable signal with data caps in consideration.
VoIP Vs Traditional Landline: A Detailed Comparison
Here’s a detailed comparison of how traditional landlines and VoIP differ, so you know what to expect if you switch.
| Features | Traditional Landline | VoIP System |
|---|---|---|
|
Call Quality |
Consistently clear with minimal interference and is not reliant on the internet |
Good with high-quality internet; depends on bandwidth, latency or congestion on the network |
|
Reliability |
Functions during power outages (phone line supplies power); does not rely on internet |
Needs mains power & internet to function and will fail during power or internet loss unless backed up |
|
Monthly Cost |
£14 to £25/month (for business lines the cost is higher) |
£7 to £15/month (usually includes features that are extra on landlines) |
|
Call Charges |
It charges per minute for UK calls and it is quite pricey for international calls |
UK calls are included in the package and international rates are generally much cheaper |
|
Installation |
It requires professional engineer and physical copper line, which can take weeks |
It is simple to install and can be ready within a few days |
|
Mobile Integration |
No integration |
VoIP can be integrated with mobile, laptop and desk phones |
|
Business Continuity |
The whole system down if line fails till an engineer comes to fix it |
Calls can be automatically redirected to mobile phones or other locations at any time |
|
Flexibility |
Fixed location; cannot be moved easily |
It offers great flexibility |
|
Advanced Features |
Basic features only: voicemail and call waiting |
Offers advanced features such as voicemail-to-email, call recording, auto attendant, call analytics and video conferencing |
|
Scalability |
Adding lines is hard and expensive |
Add new users with just one or two clicks; it grows as fast as modern technology |
|
Call Management |
Limited: requires expensive hardware upgrades |
Feature-rich web dashboard for routing, analysing and managing calls |
If you want to learn more, read our guide: VoIP vs Landline Phones: Which is Best For Your Business?
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FAQs
Yes, your landline service will remain active until the porting process is finalised.
Costs vary depending on the VoIP provider. Some providers offer free number porting as part of their plans, while others may charge a one-time fee (£10 to £30) or a monthly fee (£5 to £10).
Yes, you can use your existing landline phone with VoIP by using an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA). This device connects your traditional phone to the internet.
Yes. All UK providers are required to offer number portability under Ofcom regulations. Most geographic landline numbers (01, 02, and 03) can be ported to a VoIP service. Create a porting request with your VoIP provider, and they will take care of the migration for you.
Contact your VoIP provider immediately. They need to investigate the incident and, accordingly, resubmit the request. Ofcom can intervene, but only if your existing provider obstructs the process.
No. Transferring your landline number over to VoIP will not impact your broadband service. If your broadband shares a copper line with your phone, speak to your VoIP provider to confirm the arrangements, but in most cases, it operates independently.
Geographical numbers are directly related to a defined area code. If you move across town but stay in the same area code, porting to VoIP is easy. But if you move to another part of the country, you will need a new local number. Non-geographic numbers are location-independent and are more convenient to keep or port.
