Despite the 373 886 successful geographic number ports from November 2006 to date, there is still little literature available on the topic. Most consumers rely on the service provider they intend to move to for advice and instruction. In this issue, we go through the steps involved when porting a geographic number.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DECIDE
TO PORT MY GEOGRAPHIC
NUMBER?

1. First, you will sign up with the provider of your choice and complete the relevant paperwork . You will need to include a letter requesting your number be ported from the current provider (also known as the donor network). You would also need to include a copy of your ID (as the account holder with the donor network), your company registration number and a copy of your current telephone bill.

2. The number you are requesting to port is then checked to confirm which provider or network it is currently with. Remember, there is a finite number of active GNP participants so despite choosing a ne provider for your telephony, your number could be moving to a different up-stream (network) operator. We will cover more information on this in issue 308.

3. All the numbers you are requesting to port are then submitted to the CRDB (Central Reference Database) to start the porting process. The syntax is also checked and sent to the donor network.

4. The donor network will now check accounts and contracts. This particular step can delay the process or port request. Sometimes the delay can be as long as two weeks depending on their internal processes.

5. Once step four is completed, the donor network will release the number to be ported. Once the donor has accepted the port request, the new (or recipient network) must set a date for the number to be ported. For individual ports, the date can be the same day if need be. For managed ports, there is a usually a 10-day lead time.

6. On the specified date, the new provider activates the port request and an alert is sent to the various networks. The port request goes through at 17h00 daily and all other GNP network participants have to update their routing from this time. All ports are completed by 00h00 that day.

7. The new provider must ensure that the routing is completed and tested with their client.