Port a Non-Twilio Phone Number into Sparkforge

This guide covers porting a US phone number from an external carrier (one not already on Twilio) into a Sparkforge Location (sub-account). Today, US numbers only. Other countries follow a separate flow.

What porting means

Porting transfers ownership of a number between two telecom providers. You sign a Letter of Authorization (LOA), submit the right paperwork, and Sparkforge coordinates the cut-over with your current carrier. There is no downtime on the number during the process.

Timeline

• Under 50 numbers: 2-4 weeks.
• 50+ numbers or complex ports: 6-8 weeks.
• Email updates run throughout.

What to gather before you submit

• Location ID for the destination sub-account.
• Current carrier account number, service address, and wireless PIN or last 4 of SSN.
• Recent phone bill as a legible PDF.
• Signed LOA from the authorized person on the account, dated within 15-30 days.
• Customer Service Record from the current carrier.

Wireless PIN rules

Every wireless number requires a PIN. A wrong or fake PIN will get the port rejected by the carrier. Confirm the PIN with your provider before submitting. If the carrier issues a unique PIN per number, list each one. If they allow a single PIN across multiple numbers, note that on the form.

Landline and toll-free

These usually do not need a PIN. Names and addresses still must match carrier records exactly. PO Boxes are not accepted as a service address.

Acceptable billing statements

Submit a PDF bill, an invoice, or an account summary from the provider portal that clearly shows:

• The phone numbers being ported.
• The account owner's name.
• Provider name and statement date (within 90 days).

Google Voice numbers

Take an uncropped screenshot of your Google Voice settings page that includes your phone number, your email address, and the browser header showing the Google account.

Landline or VoIP numbers

Provide the latest monthly billing statement from your current provider. The bill must be under 90 days old and must show the numbers being ported and the account owner's name.

Submit the request

1. Complete the Porting Form.
2. Attach the LOA, bill, and any wireless PIN data.
3. Watch your email for status updates from the porting team.

Cut-over day

Inbound calls flip to Sparkforge once the carrier confirms the port. Existing voicemail boxes on the old carrier do not transfer automatically. Set up your Sparkforge call routing, voicemail greeting, and IVR before the cut-over so the number is ready to take traffic.