One of the major things stopping people from switching phone companies is the thought of losing all the data tied to their phone numbers. After all, imagine having to contact your bank and all your friends, doctors and utility companies to update your phone number. But did you know that switching carriers to get a more affordable cell phone plan is not only possible but also quite easy? Porting your number to a new provider who can provide you with a better cell phone deal won’t be a drag if you follow our guide!
In reality, anyone can transfer a Canadian cell phone number to a brand-new provider at any time. Actually, you’re even capable of moving your landline phone number to your mobile phone. And if you do it right, you’ll be able to avoid any early termination fees!
The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications) code of conduct outlines the transfer process that ensures that every Canadian can get the plan and provider they want at any time—even if they’re still on a contract!
7 Steps to Number Porting Success
Step 1: Find a New Service Provider
To switch cell phone carriers, the first thing you need to do is to find a new phone company that suits you. Luckily, there are dozens of options all across Canada, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find the right plan for you.
Compare the price that you’re willing to pay and the minutes and data that you get for your money—and you’ll have the best plan. Then the porting process can truly begin.
Step 2: Unlock Your Phone
Of all the cell phone deals you can get in Canada, the most affordable ones are those that don’t include a new mobile phone. In other words, you can get the best deal by getting a new plan for your old cell phone. Each national carrier provides discounts of a couple of dollars per month for people who use their own phones.
In fact, there are some discount carriers that don’t even give you the option of getting a phone with your cell phone plan, which means that you need an old phone. However, depending on the phone you’re using, you may need to unlock it.
Now, if you plan on staying within your current carrier network or if you’re using a phone that you bought after 2018, you won’t need to unlock your phone. However, prior to that year, many phones were locked into specific carriers simply as a means of preventing you from transferring to other carriers and keeping your old phone. However, all of that changed in December 2017, when it became mandatory for all Canadian cell phones to be unlocked at the time of purchase. If your phone is older than this date, check the procedure for unlocking it with your current carrier. Otherwise, most phones that were bought and sold after this date are compatible with all 4G LTE networks.
Step 3: Gather Important Account Information
Okay, so you’ve made sure that your phone is unlocked and you’ve picked a new carrier. You’re now plenty ready to cancel your current provider’s service! Now, you first need to gather some important account information that will allow your new carrier to easily transfer the number from the old one.
Bear in mind that the precise account information you need might differ from carrier to carrier, and you’d be wise to ask them for a list of the required details when you begin the transfer process. Nevertheless, some of the most common account information that you’re likely to need is as follows:
- Identifying information, such as a driver’s license or your government-issued ID
- Proof of address, such as a credit card bill or a utility bill in your name
- A bill from your current phone provider
- A payment method for expenses related to your new cell phone plan
Step 4: Sign Up for Service with Your New Carrier
Now that you have all the information we’ve outlined over the course of step 2 in hand, you can sign up for service with your new carrier. All you need to do is to visit one of the carrier’s stores or simply call them. When you sign up for your chosen cell phone plan, make sure to point out that you want to transfer your current number with you.
Step 5: Confirm Your Number Transfer
You will probably need to confirm your number transfer. In 2020, Canadian phone carriers implemented a two-step verification system for their number transfer services using SMS, meaning that you have to respond to an automated text to confirm your request for the number transfer. If you fail to respond to the text, your request for the number transfer will be cancelled. This additional step was introduced to reduce cases of number porting fraud.
Step 6: Wait
You’ve done pretty much all you can on your part; now, you need to wait for the process to be completed, which involves communication between your old carrier and your new one. During this time, it’s advisable to leave your current SIM card in your phone so that you can receive or make calls.
Furthermore, by leaving your SIM card in your phone, you’ll know when the switch has been completed, which will likely be when your card has been disconnected and you can no longer receive messages, place calls, or retain coverage in your usual areas.
Step 7: Swap SIMs and You’re Done!
Now that the transfer of your number is done, you’ll need a new SIM card from your new phone carrier. When you get it, simply swap it with the old SIM card in your phone. If there are any additional activation instructions, they will be provided by your carrier. Usually, these involve nothing more than entering a PIN number or calling a customer service number. When everything is in order, make a couple of calls to make sure. You may want to text to cover all your bases. You can then configure advanced features, such as voicemail or call forwarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having explained the steps you need to complete to port your number, we’ll now go over some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this transition.
How long does it take to transfer my phone number?
This depends on the type of transfer in question. If you’re transferring your number between two mobile phones, it may not take more than a couple of hours. On the other hand, if you’re transferring it from a mobile device to a landline or vice versa, it may take a couple of business days.
Will I lose service?
During the process of porting your number to a new carrier, you’re likely to experience a service disruption for a short while, especially before you switch SIM cards. This may include your ability to place emergency calls, so contact your new provider to learn all the details.
What does it cost to transfer my service
Basically, you need to make any outstanding payments to your current phone carrier before you can transfer or cancel services. After doing this, billing from the old carrier will cease. If you have a contract with them, you may also have to pay cancellation fees.
In many areas, you can actually port a mobile number to a new carrier even if you’re behind on payments and you’ve got a contract. However, this doesn’t absolve you from the obligation to pay those fees, and your old carrier can still charge you for late and termination fees in addition to collecting the accrued debt.
When you sign up for a service with a phone carrier, you sign terms of service. Often these include termination conditions that you should be aware of. Make sure that you thoroughly check your contract with your current carrier before you port your number over to a new carrier; otherwise, the next time you check your credit card balance, you may receive a nasty surprise!
