Portability (Fixed lines)

At Ofcom we fully understand that your phone number is important to you.

If you choose to change providers, you want to keep that number and avoid any hassle for friends and family.

If you’re a business, your customers will have your number in their phones and systems, and any change can also be very costly.

So if you’re staying at the same address and your number is active, your current provider must allow it to be transferred to a new phone company.

Whilst the new provider doesn’t have to accept this request, it is in their interests to do so. They should also make all the transfer arrangements.

Can I take my number when moving home?

It depends on where you’re moving to and which company provides your telephone service.

Sometimes it is not possible to move a number from one exchange to another – even though it is in the same area.

If you want to keep your old number you should check with your service provider.

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