Bring Your Own Number (BYON)

BYON enables you to retain your number by porting it to SMS-Magic providers. This is a one-time exercise where the number gets ported to SMS-Magic provider and all subsequent billing and charging is taken care of by SMS-Magic while you get unhooked from your previous provider. 

By definition, Porting is transferring your phone number from one provider to another. You can port (transfer) your number to SMS-Magic in just a few easy steps.

Let us understand this in detail, suppose you have used a phone number for years and many people recognize you or your company through it, and you don’t want to abandon it for a new one.

Can you still use your existing landline PSTN phone number with your new VOIP service? Will your new VOIP service providers allow you to keep your existing phone number?

Yes, you can bring your existing number to the new VoIP (Internet telephony) service. However, there are certain cases where you cannot. Let’s take a look at the details. 

Number portability is the ability to still use your phone number from one phone service provider with another. This is, fortunately, possible today between phone service provider companies, whether they offer wired or wireless service. The regulating body in the U.S., the FCC, ruled that all VoIP service providers should offer phone number portability.

This feature is not always free. Some VoIP companies do offer number portability against a fee. The fee charged can be a one-time payment or can be a monthly amount payable as long as you keep the ported number. If you want to avail number portability, keep your finances ready and talk to your provider.  

Besides the fee, porting a number may also impose certain restrictions. You might be barred, as a result, from benefiting from certain features offered with the new service. This is true especially for features that are linked to their numbers, which are often given for free with a new service. One way people avoid this restriction is to pay for a second line that carries their ported number. This way, they have all the features with the new service while still being able to use their golden old line. 

Checklist for SMS-Magic Customers using BYON

• You have to raise a request to care@sms-magic.com for number portability
• You need to share the following details required in the Letter of Authorization:
  • Your Current Number
  • Name and address on previous carrier’s account
  • Account number and password from your previous carrier
  • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax ID
• Informational Checklist:
  • Checking your number’s compatibility with SMS-Magic will not affect your current messaging service
  • Don’t cancel your account from your existing provider. Your number must be active in order to transfer it to SMS-Magic
  • Your existing phone service will continue to work until the transfer is complete.
  • You may not be able to port your number in certain cases like if you are changing the location and the area code
  • To keep your existing number, your personal records owning the number should be exactly the same with both companies. For example, the name and address you submit as the owner of the account should be exactly the same with both companies. A phone number is always attached to a person’s or company’s name and address. If you want the number with the new company to be of your family members, it will not be portable. The family member will have to use the new number obtained from the new company. 

Number Transfer Authorization Form

The Number Transfer Authorization (NTA) form, also called the Letter of Authorization (LOA), authorizes SMS-Magic to request the transfer of your phone number from your current phone company to SMS-Magic providers. 

This form must be complete and accurately filled to avoid any delay in your number transfer process. A recent bill from your current phone company provides most of the information you need. 

An LOA helps to ensure that telephone numbers are not being transferred between carriers without the authorized end user’s permission.

Sample NTA/LOA Form

When completing the NTA, you will need to verify information from your current phone service provider. Be sure to complete all the fields, including optional fields. 

• Name
• Address
• Current phone company
• Account number with a current phone company
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number

NOTE: It is important that you do not contact your current provider to cancel your phone number or service prior to the number transfer process being completed. The number must be active with your provider throughout the entire process. 

Number Transfer Updates

You will be contacted by email with the status of your number transfer or if any additional information is needed. These emails are sent to the email address you provided when you signed up for Vonage service. 

Number transfer status messages are also displayed under Account Status in the upper right in your Online Account. Click Check Transfer Status or Information Needed for additional details or information required to complete the number transfer process. 

Advantages Of Number Porting

Allow sales teams to use the same number for any incoming calls and for texting from Salesforce. The other benefit that you get is that you can recharge the credits from the SMS-Magic website (Pay as per use). Any delivery related issue will be assisted by SMS-Magic support for the resolution.

Disadvantages Of Number Porting

Unlike traditional landline phones, which rely on infrastructure owned and operated by one or two providers in a geographic area, VoIP offers businesses more choice when it comes to their provider. Customers need to adhere to the provider’s policies when sending messages in bulk using long codes. Non-adherence to the provider’s policies might temporarily block the phone number which means you’ll no longer be able to send and receive text till the block is revoked.

Setup BYON

For instructions on setting up BYON, reach out to care@sms-magic.com with your Account ID and number details. We will reach out with a checklist applicable to your provider and letter of authorization. 

BYOP vs BYON

BYOP/TPI is easier to set up (and revert) than porting. If your provider supports it, it’s a great way to test things out before fully porting the number.

Porting requires more paperwork and time. It can take a few days or more, depending on the telephony provider (sometimes they request extra information to verify the requestor’s identity). You also have to go through the process of porting the number out if you decide to leave SMS-Magic.