PORTABLE NUMBERS

Portable numbers in telecommunications refer to phone numbers that can be transferred from one service provider to another while remaining unchanged.

This means you can switch your phone company without having to change your phone number.

Here's what portable numbers allow you to do:

Keep your existing number: When you switch to a new phone company, you can take your old number with you.

Switch providers easily: You're not tied to one company because of your phone number, giving you more freedom to choose services.

Maintain continuity: Your contacts don't need to update your number in their address books when you change providers.

Avoid inconvenience: You don't have to inform everyone of a new number or update your contact information on various accounts.

The process of transferring your number is called "porting" and typically involves:

Requesting a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from your current provider.

Providing this PAC to your new provider.

1. Waiting for the transfer to complete, usually within one working day4.

Portable numbers have made it easier for consumers to switch services without the hassle of changing their phone numbers, promoting competition among telecom providers