Can you keep your same phone number when switching carriers? Yes, and it’s easier than you think.

Looking to switch mobile carriers and want to keep your number?

The importance of networking and staying connected is business 101. In today’s mobile age, keeping your same phone number so clients or contacts can reach you when they need you is invaluable.  

And that’s why businesses often stop short of shopping around for a better deal on their business mobile plans. In fact, a survey by WhistleOut found that 32% of Australians don’t want to switch telcos for fear of losing their current phone number.

Can you keep your mobile number when switching carriers?

Yes, you can! Your mobile carrier has a legal obligation to transfer your number to another provide should you want to keep your number.

It’s a common misconception that switching carriers and keeping your number is difficult and time-consuming. After all, missing an important business call could mean missed opportunities for your business.

But the truth is, switching carriers and keeping your phone number is easier than you might think. So it shouldn’t stop you from getting the best business mobile plans for you. Switching to Aussie Broadband and keeping your number is a simple process with just three steps. Best of all, you can do it all from your phone in just a few minutes.

How to switch carriers and keep your number

First up, you’ll need to order your new SIM. Aussie Broadband has a range of sim-only business mobile plans offering different levels of data starting from $15/month. Choose between super-fast 5G*, or an ever-reliable 4G plan that services 98.5% of Australia and lets you share data with your team.

Once you and your team have your SIMs, you can go ahead and follow this simple process to activate them:

Step 1) Go to our activation website and enter the activation code sent to you via email.

Step 2) At the beginning of the activation process, we’ll ask you whether you want to keep your current number or get a new one. Select ‘Port my number’ on the activation page.
Note: For this to work, your existing plan must be in service, and your soon-to-be old SIM must still be in your phone.  

Step 3) Once you’ve entered your number, we’ll begin the porting process in the background. Porting will typically take about 1-3 hours, and we’ll send you an email as soon as it’s complete. At that point, your old SIM should go to “SOS” – and you can take it out and replace it with your new one.

Of course, this means there will be a short period where you won’t have mobile service – even if it’s just the time it takes you to swap SIM cards. But if you can’t be without your phone for that long, you can switch after hours! If you have any questions about the process, our friendly Australian-based customer service team is available seven days a week from 8am-midnight.

For a complete, detailed set of instructions on how to port your number, head over to our number porting guide.  

Can I keep my same phone?

Unless your phone has been locked by your previous carrier, it will work on the Aussie Broadband network.

How can I tell if my phone is carrier-locked?

The simplest way to do this is to call your current carrier and ask. You can also try using a SIM card on another network to see if it works — if your phone is locked, you might see a pop up dialogue box asking for an unlock code. If you have an iPhone, you can go to Settings > General > About, and under the EID number, it should say ‘Network Provider Lock’ and next to that, if it is unlocked, it should say ‘No SIM restrictions’.

Get the perfect mobile plan for your business

If you’re considering Aussie Broadband’s sim-only business mobile plans for you and your team, there’s no need to stress about connectivity and continuity.

We’ll ensure a smooth transition from your old plan that minimises downtime while letting you keep the number your customers, business partners, and search engines recognise.

If you’d like to learn more about our business mobile plans and how easy it is to switch and keep your current number, we’re here to help. Visit our help centre or get in touch with our friendly Australian-based sales team on 1300 480 905.