My organization is considering migrating to SIP trunking from a different carrier for our call center traffic. How do we implement SIP trunking without losing our current call center numbers?
Question
My organization is considering migrating to SIP trunking from a different carrier for our call center traffic. How do we implement SIP trunking without losing our current call center numbers?
Answer
Session initiated protocol (SIP) trunking uses voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) to provide a connection between a private branch exchange (PBX) and a service provider. SIP trunking is becoming the preferred method for delivering calls between organizations and carriers. With the growth of SIP trunking, industry best practices have emerged to help organizations migrate from traditional time division multiplexing (TDM) trunking to SIP trunking.
The process that will allow you to implement SIP trunks from a different service provider and keep your current call center numbers is called local number portability (LNP). LNP allows users to move their phone numbers from one service provider to another. The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rules require that your current carrier allow you to port your existing phone numbers to a different provider, as long as you remain in the same geographical area. The porting process can be successfully completed by following these simple rules:
- Establish service with new provider and request the porting of your existing numbers (service providers handle all of the back-end work required to move the numbers)
- Schedule your numbers to be ported to the new carrier during non-peak hours (this gives you time to test the numbers on the new SIP trunks)
- Once the numbers have been ported, place an order with your former service provider to disconnect your old lines
