Number porting

General information

Number porting enables subscribers to switch operators without having to change their telephone numbers and thus represents a key element of competition on the communications markets. For many subscribers, losing one's telephone number posed a major obstacle to switching operators. Especially for business customers, ensuring constant availability at a number which is known to customers is extremely important. Private customers may also have an interest in retaining their telephone numbers in order to avoid having to inform a large number of people of a new number.

The legal basis for number porting can be found in Art. 23 TKG 2003. Numbers can only be ported within the same category (fixed-link to fixed-link numbers, service to service numbers, mobile to mobile numbers). In all cases, the number must still be in service in order to be ported. Moreover, neither the source operator nor the target operator is allowed to charge "deterrent fees" for this service.

Fixed-link number porting

1) Geographical telephone numbers

Subscribers may retain their geographical telephone numbers in cases where they change from one operator to another. This is especially important in the case of unbundled local loops. In order to have a number ported, the subscriber must make a corresponding agreement with the new operator (target operator) when concluding the contract, and the target operator must consent to porting. The target operator can then agree on the technical execution of the number transfer with the source operator. In general, the number porting process is completed within 5 days.

In addition, it is also possible for subscribers to retain their telephone numbers when they move to a new location within the same area code.

Click here to view the decision of the Telekom-Control Commission Z 20/01-49 as of May 16, 2002 ordering fix-link number porting (only available in german).

2) Service numbers

Holders of service numbers may also switch operators. In such cases, it is likewise necessary to agree on service number porting with the new operator. In general, this number porting process is completed within 5 days.

Mobile number porting

Provided the number in question is in service, both contract and prepaid subscribers can have their mobile numbers ported. In order to have such a number ported, subscribers require information from their current operator on the essential provisions of the existing contract and the costs to be expected from terminating the agreement and porting the number (Number Porting Ordinance information) as well as the corresponding confirmation (Number Porting Ordinance confirmation). The information and confirmation can be obtained by presenting a photo identification to either the source or target operator, and the documents are valid for 30 days. Subscribers with anonymous prepaid mobile phones must provide the PUK code in lieu of a photo identification.

The number porting process itself can only be requested from the new operator by presenting the Number Porting Ordinance confirmation. This number porting process must be carried out within 3 business days, or a specific date in the future can be agreed up to two months in advance. Number porting is possible at any time, but it does not affect contractually agreed commitment periods. As a result, contracts with agreed minimum periods are upheld until expiration despite the porting of the mobile number and may have to be terminated separately.

As calls to ported mobile numbers may be subject to different charges than the caller expects, calls to such numbers are preceded by recorded information informing the caller of the network to which the call is being routed. This recorded information can also be deactivated.

Click here to view the decision of the Telekom-Control Commission Z 24/03-368 as of May 18, 2009 ordering mobile number porting, (only available in german).