Porting Your Telephone Number

What is telephone number porting?

Telephone number porting is a change in the cp (communications provider) of a telephone number.
number porting does not change the allocated RH (rangeholder) of a number, as the calls will always route through the RH systems.

We use BT IPEX (British Telecom IP Exchange) for all porting requests. BT IPEX has the best SE (Service Establishment) with RangeHolders, facilitating the porting of most numbers, particularly from large tier 1 carrier. BT IPEX cannot port a number from an RH that it does not have service establishment with. In any case, where BT IPEX do not have SE with an RH, they will attempt to create SE with them, a process that can take around 85 working days, however, any errors found on the system they are attempting to create SE for will lengthen this considerably.

For a port request to be accepted by the CNO (Current Network Operator) / Losing CP (LCP) or RH, all of the information on the documents forwarded to the LCP/RH must match what is on file for that telephone number. It is always best to call the Losing CP and ask what is on file when filling out the porting document, and also inform them of your intention to port the number away from them.

In the context of this document, the following acronyms are used

BT IPEX = British Telecom IP ExchangeIPEX = IP Exchange
CUPID = Communications Unique Provider ID
CP = Communications Provider
LCP = Losing Communications Provider
CNO = Current Network Operator
GNP = Geographic Number Porting
CRD = Customer Required Date
RH = Rangeholder
SE = Service Establishment
DDI = Direct Dial In
ISDN = Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN2e or BRI, ISDN30e or PRI)
SS7 = Switched Signalling 7 – a set of protocols typically on an E1 defining call set-up/ tear down.
NGN = Non-Geographic Number
ENUM = E.164 Number Mapping, aka BT IPEX’s numbering platform – directing incoming calls on telephone numbers to allocated carriers/destinations

LINE TYPE DEFINITIONS / IMPORT TYPE: DEFINITION:

Single Line Geographic A single telephone number beginning 01 or 02, that is not part of a DDI range, is not the main billing number for a DDI range and is not part of a multi-line.

Multi-Line Geographic Multiple lines on one or more telephone numbers, including WLR analogue Multi-Line and single-number ISDN.

Simple DDI Multiple digital lines (ISDN/T1/E1/SS7) on one or more telephone numbers, consisting of a main billing number. It can contain a whole block of DDI’s (minimum 10, multiple of 10) and/or have SNDDIs on the circuit.

Complex DDI Multiple digital lines (ISDN/T1/E1/SS7), consisting of part of a block of DDI’s, and the main billing number. Note: All DDI’s attached to the circuit must be included on porting document, and intention given as to which numbers to port. Any numbers not ported will be handed back to the RH.

Single Line Non-Geographic A single telephone number that is non-geographic, is not part of a DDI range, is not the main billing number for a DDI range, and is not part of a multi-line or FeatureLine.

Multi-Line Non-Geographic Multiple non-geographic telephone numbers, consisting of an original and whole block of DDI’s (minimum 10), and the main billing number.
International Telephone numbers from countries outside the UK

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY TELEPHONE NUMBER PORTS?

When a telephone number ports from an analogue or digital line, the original line is ceased. This means that any and all additional services on the telephone line will also be ceased, e.g broadband. Prefixing on analogue and digital lines (ISDN) from BT happens at the exchange level.

When a number is ported to our service, the original RH changes the prefix on the number, so that it routes out to BT IPEX. It is imported onto the BT IPEX platform and programmed in their core routing engine, which then routes all calls to that number to our platform.

HOW DO I PORT A TELEPHONE NUMBER?

In order for Essex Telephone Systems to port your number onto our platform, we need, for all numbers:

Proof of ownership of the number (in the form of a copy of the latest bill from the current CP)
Authorisation to port (in the form of a signed GNP Letter of Authority)
Relevant telephone number details (in the form of completed porting documents)
Rangeholder CUPID (find on www.telecom-tariffs.co.uk AND check against Ofcom S1 allocation form)
LCP CUPID (may also be Rangeholder, otherwise is the company billing you for the number)

We are unable to progress any ports without this information.

WHAT WILL CAUSE DELAYS?

There are a number of factors that can delay ports.
- Redcare / security tag exists on the line. You must cancel Redcare or transfer the service to another number before that telephone number can be ported.
- The Installation address is incorrect. You must find out the installation address that is on file with the LCP/RH against the number(s) you wish to port for the order to progress.
- LCP/RH failure to provide a response. You should always inform the LCP/RH of an intention to port.
- No SE with LCP/RH. Unfortunately, you can do nothing to affect this.
- Incorrectly labelled (single line as multiline etc). You should always confirm the line type with the LCP/RH.
- Incorrect telephone details (main billing number, DDI range etc). You should always confirm with the LCP/RH all attached phone numbers, main billing number etc).
DISCLAIMER
ETS Networks will always endeavour to port your numbers in a timely fashion. However, we cannot provide any guarantees that numbers can port successfully, that numbers can port within a certain timeframe (including but not limited to the minimum lead time), or that there will not be problems porting the number away from your current provider.
Please note number porting is a best-endeavours process in the UK, and all lead times quoted here are minimum industry standards. Accepted practice is for carriers who have been allocated numbers to have Service Establishment and a porting agreement signed with at least 1 carrier to be able to export their numbers however, this is not a requirement.

Documents Required

IMPORT TYPE: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Single Line Geographic Porting Form, Letter of Authority, Copy of Latest Bill.
Multi Line Geographic Porting Form, Letter of Authority, Copy of Latest Bill.
Simple & Complex DDI Porting Form, Letter of Authority, Copy of Latest Bill.
Single Line Non-Geographic Porting of Non-Geographic Numbers Notice, IPEX Ownership Letter from Losing Party, Copy of Latest Bill.
Multi-Line Non-Geographic Porting of Non-Geographic Numbers Notice, IPEX Ownership Letter from Losing Party, Copy of Latest Bill.
International Letter of Authorization and Consent for Equipment Records and International Local Number Portability, Copy of Latest Bill, Scan of Passport of Owner of Telephone numbers.

SINGLE LINE GEOGRAPHIC PORT PROCEDURE

Customer submits to Essex Telephone Systems: Porting form, Letter of Authority, copy of the latest bill.
Essex Telephone Systems submit to BT IPEX using online portal with CRD (Customer Required Date).
BT IPEX completes an automated look up on their systems, verifying line type and range holder.
If details match records with LCP/RH, the order is confirmed.
BT IPEX receive response from LCP/RH confirming acceptance on DD/MM/YYYY@HH:MM
Essex Telephone Systems notify the customer that number has been accepted to port.
At least 24 hours prior to port, Essex Telephone Systems will add the porting number into the customer’s account ready to receive traffic from BT IP Exchange.
On date and time of port, IP Exchange automatically load number onto ENUM and direct calls from that number to Essex Telephone Systems so they are ready to catch traffic from RH.
RH automatically applies porting prefix so calls are routed to IP Exchange.
Confirmation that number has ported is sent by IP Exchange to us.
Essex Telephone Systems test-call after receiving a completed port notification to make sure calls are routing correctly. If not routing correctly, escalate to BT immediately.

MULTI LINE GEOGRAPHIC PORT PROCEDURE

Customer submits to Essex Telephone Systems : Porting form, Letter of Authority, copy of latest bill.
Essex Telephone Systems submit request to BT IPEX using an online portal.
BT IPEX then applies this information on a NPOR form manually.
NPOR gets sent to BT Openreach, who send it off to the LCP/RH.
LCP/RH then check the details on the NPOR and respond back to Openreach accordingly, if rejected providing the reason why.
Openreach then sends the response to BT IPEX.
If accepted, a confirmation response is sent to Essex Telephone Systems confirming date and time the porting process will begin
At least 24 hours prior to the port, Essex Telephone Systems add numbers into customer’s account ready to receive traffic.
On the date of the port, Essex Telephone Systems manually configure the number port on IP Exchange portal after the Port Configuration Window Start(s). This loads it onto ENUM.
On date and time of port, Essex Telephone Systems call IP Exchange, give reference number(s) and/or MBN, and ask them to progress the port and perform a test-call to make sure ENUM load is correct.
Openreach then progresses the port, where the RH applies the porting prefix, and inbound traffic on PSTN should then route through to Essex Telephone Systems.
If there is downtime of 15 minutes or more Essex Telephone Systems ring IP Exchange requesting they escalate due to the downtime.

SINGLE LINE NON-GEOGRAPHIC PORT PROCEDURE

The customer has to fill in a separate set of forms – typed, printed on company-headed paper and sent back to us with a copy of a bill from LCP. There must be an account number for the LCP on forms, address of the Losing Communications Provider, and a bill from them.
If resellers are involved, lead-time stretches – all parties have to be informed of the port.
Once all paperwork is received, Essex Telephone Systems send off to BT IPEX, who then either send off to the end user’s LCP (this could be a reseller) or reject because of incorrect paperwork.
BT IPEX, upon acknowledgement of the porting request to the end user’s provider, then approach the RH with a port order.
Once port order has been accepted, confirmed date and time for the port to take place will be confirmed to IPEX.
At least 24 hours prior to the port taking place, Essex Telephone Systems add the number into the end user’s account ready to catch the traffic
On the date and time of the port, IP Exchange builds the number on ENUM, then contact RH to initiate porting prefix.
The number should then have been ported, Essex Telephone Systems do test calls to confirm number routes to us correctly. If there is downtime of 15 minutes or more Essex Telephone Systems ring IP Exchange requesting they escalate due to the downtime.

MULTI LINE NON-GEOGRAPHIC PORT PROCEDURE

The customer has to fill in a separate set of forms – typed, printed on company-headed paper and sent back to us with a copy of a bill from losing provider. There must be an account number on forms and bill.
If resellers are involved, lead-time stretches – all parties have to be informed of the port.
Once all paperwork received, Essex Telephone Systems send off to BT IPEX, who then either send off to the end user’s LCP (this could be a reseller), or reject because of incorrect paperwork.
BT IPEX, upon acknowledgement of the porting request to the end user’s provider, then approach the RH with a port order.
Once port order has been accepted, confirmed date and time for the port to take place will be confirmed to IPEX.
24 hours prior to port, Essex Telephone Systems add the number into the end user’s account ready to catch the traffic
On the date and time of the port, IP Exchange builds the number on ENUM, then contact RH to initiate porting prefix.
Number should then have been ported, Essex Telephone Systems do test calls to confirm number routes to us correctly. If there is downtime of 15 minutes or more Essex Telephone Systems ring IP Exchange requesting they escalate due to the downtime.

Lead Times

IMPORT TYPE	MINIMUM LEAD TIME
Single Line	Geographic 10 working days
Multi Line Geographic	7 working days
Simple DDI	17 working days
Complex DDI	2 working days
Single Line NGN	No Lead time available
Multi Line NGN	No Lead time available
International	No lead time available

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