What is Number Porting?
Number porting is the process of moving an existing phone number from your current carrier to Talkdesk, so that you can use it for inbound and outbound calling within your Talkdesk Express account. This allows you to continue using your existing business number(s) without disruption, even as you transition to a modern cloud contact center solution like Talkdesk Express.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Porting requires coordination between your current service provider and Talkdesk, and typically takes 5–10 business days, depending on the provider and the accuracy of submitted documentation.
To start, you will need:
A Letter of Authorization (LOA) – Signed and dated. Must be dated within the last 30 days
A recent Phone Bill (within the last 30 days) showing account number and address
List of Number(s) you wish to port (in E.164 format preferred)
Make sure all information exactly matches what your current carrier has on file. Mismatches are the most common reason for porting delays or rejections.
What is a Letter of Authorization (LOA)?
A LOA is a formal document that gives Talkdesk permission to initiate a phone number porting request on your behalf. It's required by U.S. carriers to verify that you (the customer) are authorizing the transfer of your existing number(s) from your current provider to Talkdesk. This document ensures compliance with telecom regulations and prevents unauthorized transfers.
What must a LOA Include?
To be a valid your LOA must:
Be dated and signed by the authorized account holder or administrator.
Include the business name and service address exactly as listed with the current carrier.
List the telephone numbers to be ported.
State that you authorize Talkdesk (or its underlying carrier) to act on your behalf.
Optionally specify your current service provider for clarity.
Example of a LOA
LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION (LOA)
Date: <month> <day>, <year>
To Whom It May Concern,
I hereby authorize Talkdesk, Inc. and its underlying carriers to act as my agent for the purpose of porting my telephone number(s) listed below from my current provider to Talkdesk.
Business Name:
<your company business name>
Service Address:
<your company business address>
Current Service Provider:
<your company current provider>
Telephone Number(s) to Port:
+15554441234
I certify that I am an authorized representative of the company listed above and that I have the authority to request this change. I understand that by signing this Letter of Authorization, I am authorizing Talkdesk to initiate the porting process for the above-listed telephone numbers.
Authorized Name (Print):
<your name in print>
Title:
<your business title>
Signature:
<your signature>
Email Address:
<your email address>
How to Request a Port in Talkdesk Express
While Express users don’t currently have a self-service porting interface, we’ve made it easy to initiate the process:
Step 1: Email the Express Community Team
Send an email to: [email protected]
Step 2: Be sure to attach the following:
The LOA (Letter of Authorization)
A recent copy of your phone bill
A list of phone numbers you’d like to port
Your Talkdesk Express account name (e.g., yourcompany.mytalkdesk.com)
Step 3: Support Ticket Creation
Our Community Manager will open a Support ticket on your behalf and submit your porting request to the Talkdesk Porting Team. You will receive an email confirmation once the ticket has been created.
Step 4: Work Directly With Support
From there, you’ll collaborate directly with the Talkdesk Support team, who will guide you through the next steps, provide updates, and coordinate the final porting date with you.
Additional Notes
Do not cancel service with your current provider until your number is fully ported to Talkdesk.
During the porting process, you can continue using your number with the current provider until the cutover date.
Once ported, your number will appear in your Talkdesk Express account and be ready for use.