Buying a New Inbound Number vs Porting an Existing One
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When setting up an inbound number, you can either buy a new number or port an existing one from another provider.
The right option depends on whether you need to keep an existing number that customers already know.
Buying a New Inbound Number
Buying a new inbound number means Pickle allocates a fresh 13, 1300 or 1800 number to your account.
When this makes sense
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You’re launching a new business or service
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You don’t have an existing inbound number
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You want a new number for marketing or campaigns
Key points
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Faster setup than porting
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No dependency on your current provider
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No risk of service interruption
New numbers can usually be activated once routing is configured.
Porting an Existing Inbound Number
Porting allows you to move an existing 13, 1300 or 1800 number from another carrier to Pickle.
When this makes sense
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Customers already call your existing number
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The number appears on signage or marketing material
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You want to change providers without changing the number
Key points
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The number stays the same
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Routing and management move to Pickle
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Porting must be approved by the current provider
What’s Required to Port a Number
To port an inbound number, we usually need:
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The full inbound number
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The current provider’s name
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Proof of ownership or a recent invoice
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Authorisation from the number holder
If details don’t match the current provider’s records, porting may be delayed or rejected.
Will There Be Downtime During Porting?
Porting is designed to minimise disruption.
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Calls continue to route via the existing provider until cutover
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On the port date, calls switch to Pickle
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Brief interruptions are uncommon but possible
Pickle coordinates the cutover timing where possible.
Can You Port Later?
Yes.
Many businesses:
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Start with a new inbound number
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Port an existing number at a later stage
This allows you to get up and running quickly while planning the transition.
When to Contact Pickle
Contact Pickle if you:
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Are unsure whether to buy or port
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Need help locating ownership details
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Want to confirm porting timelines
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Have deadlines tied to advertising or launches
We can review your situation and recommend the best approach.