Note: This guide applies to port-out requests handled by the Bandwidth Global Porting Team only. It does not apply to domestic US porting operations.
Phone number porting, also known as LNP (Local Number Portability), grants end users the right to transfer their numbers between providers. When a port-out request is received by Bandwidth's Global Porting Team, Bandwidth has a defined window of time in which to respond — either by raising a valid rejection or by allowing the port to proceed. This validation window varies by country and is determined by the regulatory framework in each market, ranging from as little as 20 minutes (Slovenia) to 2 business days (Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, among others).
It is the right of the end user to port their number away to a provider of their choice. Bandwidth cannot block a port-out request that has been validly submitted by the gaining carrier.
Default Acceptance
If Bandwidth does not receive a valid rejection from the end user within the applicable validation window for that country, the port-out will be accepted by default and the number will be released to the gaining carrier. It is therefore critical that any concerns regarding a port-out request are raised with the Bandwidth Global Porting Team as soon as possible, and always within the applicable validation window.
Valid Rejection Reasons
Valid rejection reasons are limited to those permitted under local regulatory rules for each market. Any rejection submitted outside of the validation window, or on grounds not recognised under local regulation, cannot be upheld.
Some markets require country-specific authorisation codes as part of the port-out validation process. These must be obtained and provided by the end user in accordance with local requirements. Examples include:
CVP codes — Portugal
RIO codes — France
Migration Codes — Italy
Validation Windows by Country
The table below sets out the maximum validation period applicable per country. These periods represent the maximum time within which Bandwidth must respond to a port-out request before it is accepted by default.
Validation Window | Countries |
20 minutes | Slovenia |
2 hours | Mexico, Norway |
4 hours | Ireland, Spain |
1 business day | Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland |
2 business days | Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom |
When to Contact the Global Porting Team
If you believe a port-out has been submitted without proper end user authorisation, or if you have a valid regulatory basis to reject a port-out, you must contact the Bandwidth Global Porting Team immediately by opening a support ticket. Given the short validation windows that apply in many markets, delays in reporting can result in the port-out completing before a rejection can be raised.