Switch From Skype:
Easy Number Porting Guide

Frustrated with Skype’s call drops and limited functionality? You’re not alone. Many businesses are making the switch from Skype, seeking clearer calls, enhanced features, and reliable service. Porting your number doesn’t have to be a hassle. 

In this complete guide to Skype number porting, we’ll walk you through every step to seamlessly transfer your Skype number. Discover the superior alternative with 160+ international numbers, unmatched call quality, and 24/7 customer support.

Key Takeaways:

• Some of the most common reasons why people switch from Skype include poor audio quality, lack of features and numbers, and frequent glitches.
• Skype is legally obligated to comply with your port-out request as long as you have no outstanding fees or binding contractual obligations.
• While porting out from Skype is free and should take around 15 days, the timeframe and costs can be affected by the type and amount of numbers.

How to Port Your Number from Skype

So, you’re switching from Skype but don’t quite know where to start. No worries, it’s not a difficult process. However, there are a few things you should know, namely how to prepare for transferring your Skype number and what to expect from the process.

How to Prepare for the Porting Process?

Before you ever ask Skype to port your number out, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure the process goes smoothly. To do this…

1. Check for Eligibility:
   Skype is legally obligated to comply with your port-out request by the FCC. But they may still refuse if you have an outstanding balance or have signed a long-term contract. So, the first step is to get on a call and clarify the situation.
   
2. Assess Business Needs:
   Assuming you’re clear to leave whenever you please, you should take the time to think about why you’re leaving and what you want from the next provider. Consider numbers, features, pricing, as well as your monthly call volume.
   
3. Choose the Right Provider:
   Once you know what you’re looking for, you can narrow down your list of options with “nice-to-haves”. We recommend looking at overall pricing, customer support quality, integration capabilities, and network reliability/uptime.
   
4. Review Technical Requirements:
   When switching between two VoIP providers, there should be next to no change in terms of hardware requirements or network capacity. However, you can still face issues, such as needing a ROI number, when porting a number in France.

How Long Does Porting from Skype Take?

There are multiple factors that influence how long it takes to port your number. This includes both providers’ processes, regulatory and contractual obligations, your geographical location, special services, and the volume of porting requests. 

For example, porting your number from Skype to CloudTalk should take around 15 days – 10 for the set-up process and 5 for the actual migration. However, depending on the type of number you want to port, it can take longer.

How Much Does Porting from Skype Cost?

Skype doesn’t charge for porting-out requests. However, you may have to call Voxbone if you are trying to transfer a French number. So that leaves the price of your subscription, any potential early-cancellation fees, and the porting price itself.

Your new provider may charge you for porting, with the price depending on the type, location, and amount of your number(s). You can learn more about this, including the types, locations, and price per number, in our article Porting Pricing and Coverage.

6 Simple Steps To Transfer Your Skype Number To CloudTalk

Ready to make the jump to CloudTalk? Here’s everything you need to know and do to make the transition as smooth as possible.

#1: Make Sure You Have Everything You Need:

You need to fulfill several requirements to be eligible for porting your number to CloudTalk. This includes:

• A number type for a country supported by our country coverage.
  
• An active CloudTalk account.
  
• An active account with your current provider.
  
• The ported phone number(s) ready and configured in CloudTalk.

#2: Ensure Your Number Can Be Ported:

There are two situations when it might be impossible to port your number. The first is that CloudTalk doesn’t offer the specific country/format combination you requested. The other is that your service provider doesn’t allow number porting.

In either situation, you can purchase a different number alternative from our selection of 160+ globally available phone numbers.

#3: Submit All The Necessary Documentation:

To start a porting request for your existing phone numbers, send us an email to porting@cloudtalk.io with the subject “Port-in request” and provide us with the following:

• The numbers you want to port in an E. 164 international format (e.g., +442012345678).
  
• Name of your current service provider for the numbers you want ported.
  
• Name of the range holder or underlying carrier. This can be different from the service provider, so ask your current VoIP company.
  
• Name of the person, company, or organization the number is registered under with your current service provider.
  
• Full registered address of the person, company, or organization the number is registered under with your current service provider. This may be different from your billing address, so make sure to double-check.
  
• A copy of your last bill for the numbers you want to port.

#4: Fill Out The Letter Of Authorization:

After you make your porting request, our team will check if the number is portable from our side. If it is, we’ll provide you with an LOA (Letter of Authorization) template to fill out and ask you for any other documents that may be required. 

Please take care when filling out the LOA to ensure all the information submitted is correct.

#5: Wait While CloudTalk Takes Care Of The Rest:

Once the LOA and all signed documents are received, the process is as follows:

• CloudTalk will add the number to your dashboard so you can start setting inbound call flows, business hours, agents, and call groups.
  
• When the losing carrier accepts the port-out request, both carriers will schedule the date the number will be moved to our network.
  
• The number will be ported to CloudTalk’s carrier on the agreed-upon date and will thereby become active in your app.

#6: Start Calling With Your (Old) New Number:

In total, the set-up process will take 1-10 days, and migration around 5 days. Once everything is done, you can log into your CloudTalk account and start calling again!

• CloudTalk and our partnered “gaining” carrier will submit all documents to the current “losing” carrier.
  
• CloudTalk will add the number to your dashboard so you can start setting inbound call flows, business hours, agents, and call groups.
  
• When the losing carrier accepts the port-out request, both carriers will schedule the date the number will be moved to our network.
  
• The number will be ported to CloudTalk’s carrier on the agreed-upon date and will thereby become active in your app.

Why Choose CloudTalk as Your Skype Alternative?

1. Crystal-Clear Call Quality
   Poor call quality can be costly, let alone an outage. 42% of people never call back if they experience lag or delay. CloudTalk works with carriers all over the world to ensure your customers can always hear you loud and clear – regardless of location.
   
2. Access to 160+ New Markets
   Don’t let landlines and borders limit your company’s growth. Take advantage of CloudTalk’s country coverage and choose from the biggest offer of international, local, mobile, and toll-free numbers on the market today and connect with people across 160+ countries.
   
3. Advanced Productivity Features
   Whether you want to amplify your calling operations, build better inbound customer experiences, or automate workflows as a whole, CloudTalk got you covered. Choose from 75+ AI-powered features and 35+ integrations for your favorite tools.
   
4. Comprehensive Analytics
   Track calling metrics, KPIs, and OKRs for individual employees, teams, departments, or your call center as a whole with ease. Leverage AI-powered sentiment analysis and real-time reporting to benchmark your operations and drive continuous growth.
   
5. Improved Security
   Protect both the company’s and your customers’ sensitive information with comprehensive end-to-end encryption. CloudTalk keeps you easily compliant with industry-mandated regulations, including GDPR, MAN, and more.
   
6. 24/7 Customer Service
   CloudTalk won’t leave you to your own devices when a crisis strikes. Solve all your issues quickly and easily by getting in touch with our team of experts any day and hour of the week. Our customer support has an average pick-up rate of just 60 seconds.

What did Nokia achieved with CloudTalk?

• 30% Increase in outbound success rates
• 10% Increase in agent productivity
• 25% Decrease in leads lost

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re unhappy with your service, Skype number portability is the perfect way to transition to a new provider. 

Ready to elevate your business communications? Experience CloudTalk’s call quality, expansive international coverage, and exceptional support with a free demo. Transform your connections and drive success.