Firm Order Commitment (FOC) & Date

Author: Anagha Ravi
Published: July 27, 2018
Updated: September 9, 2026

What does FOC mean?

FOC stands for Firm Order Commitment. An FOC includes:

  • Confirmation from your telecommunications provider that your telephone number will be ported, and
  • The date the losing carrier will release the number to be ported to your winning carrier

When an FOC is issued, you must cancel a port at least 72 hours before the date listed. 

What happens leading up to an FOC

FOCs are provided by the losing service provider (also known as a current service provider). This is done in response to a port order issued to them to move a number from that provider’s network to another (known as the winning or new service provider) service provider’s network. 

FOCs apply to VoIP and landline services

An FOC can refer to landline phone services as well as internet services relevant to that line, such as DSL. In the case of LECs (Local Exchange Carriers), an FOC is specifically related to the movement of a port from one provider to another.

For example, if you want to switch your home phone service from Verizon to AT&T, then Verizon will issue an FOC. In this case, the FOC is a commitment that the telephone number in question will be ported to the new provider at a certain date or time.

FOCs may not be applicable when switching mobile phone numbers. Depending on the phone carrier, this may require a different process. Bandwidth can obtain or provide FOCs on port orders.

More information on FOC

The information provided in this glossary definition does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, nor does it necessarily represent Bandwidth's products or business practices. This page is for general informational purposes only.
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