If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve had the same phone number for years. Your entire family has it. Your friends and co-workers have it. It’s in your email signature and quite possibly available on some or many of your social media accounts. You and your existing phone number are basically attached at the hip and changing it just because you’re switching wireless service providers is not an option.

We get it. And guess what? You can absolutely keep your existing number when you switch providers. The process of moving an existing number to a new carrier is called porting or phone number porting. Here’s all you need to know about how phone number porting work and what to expect.

What is porting and how long does it take?

Generally, phone number porting or moving a cell phone number from one carrier to another takes between 5-7 business days but, sometimes, the phone number porting process can take companies as long as a month.

About the phone number porting process

The porting process depends upon a variety of factors including the speed with which wireless providers port numbers, what country your number is based in, and whether or not all the documents included in the port order are correct. It also depends on how long it takes your wireless company to release your phone number. So if your current carrier is slow, the port-in will take longer. If your phone number port is taking far too long, reach out to your provider. Here are the average times it takes some cell phone providers to transfer a number:

AT&T: 3-5 days        

Verizon: 4-24 hrs    

T-Mobile: 10 minutes to 24 hrs

To help speed the port-in process:

• Alert your current carrier that you will be moving your phone number to a new phone service and see if you have to absorb any early termination fees or pay any outstanding balance. You can’t make your carrier be responsive and speed things along, but a patient and professional approach can certainly help.

• Confirm that all the information your carrier and new provider have is correct and consistent, including your full name, address, zip code, telephone number, and account number. Missing or incorrect information will slow down the process.

• When changing your phone service to a new provider, if your telephone number has features like call forwarding or voicemail, contact your current and new provider to see if deleting call forwarding, etc., will help to speed up the porting process.

Why it still could take time for wireless service providers to port in a number

You’d think that in this day and age porting would be a simple process. But sometimes it just isn’t. Here are several factors things that could be holding up your porting process.

Missing documentation

Ask both your existing and new cell phone provider what documentation they require to transfer your number. These items can include:

• A Letter of Authorization (LOA): this is a standard, industry form that gives your new carrier permission to port in your number.

• Your Customer Service Record (CSR): Your current carrier provides these records to your new carrier in order to confirm your full name, address, and billing address.

• A Copy of a Bill (CoB): This is simply a copy of a bill you have received from your current carrier that proves to your new carrier that you own the phone number in question.

Your current carrier is dragging its feet

No business wants to lose customers and sometimes your current wireless network provider may drag its feet simply because they don’t want to lose you as a customer.

Your number port-in request is rejected

This is why it’s extremely important to make sure all of your information is correct. A misspelled name, incorrect billing phone number or mailing address, incorrect account number, literally any piece of information that is incorrect will cause the port-in request to be rejected. Double check every detail.

How long does it take to switch your current phone number(s) to H2O?

It takes 1 - 2 business days for your number to be ported successfully.

At H2O Wireless, we believe in helping you keep the phone number you love. We also believe in helping you get the phones and service you deserve at a real savings.

Save money and switch to H2O Wireless. Ours are among the best cell phone plans of 2023.

 Why H2O Wireless?

H2O’s premium wireless plans start at just $25 a month!

Just $25 a line. No kidding.

At just $25 a line, H2O Wireless gives you great coverage, more than enough data, and unlimited international talk and text (plus a $5 international talk credit), so you can keep in touch with family and friends around the globe and they can keep in touch with you! Plus, we offer a tremendous selection of the latest iPhones and Androids at prices that let you get the phone you love.

Enjoy Multi-Line Savings

Connect your friends and family to get Multi-Line savings with 2 lines for $50 or 4 lines for $100. Each line comes with 6 GB of LTE data so you can stream, listen, and do what you do at $25 per line.

Here’s Exactly What Every Line Gets...

• 6 GB of LTE Data
• Unlimited Data, Talk & Text
• Unlimited International Talk to 70 Countries
• Unlimited International Text
• $5 International Talk Credit

Here’s Exactly What You Don’t Get…

• Contracts
• Hassles
• Headaches!

What our customers are saying…

 “I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”

With H2O Wireless, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere.

Or, choose our 12 month plan for just $8.33 a month!

With H2O Wireless’ 12 Month Plan, you purchase service once and you’re done for the year. No worrying about missing a payment or tracking the expense. You simply make a one-time payment of $100 using your credit or debit card, and that’s it. Our 12 Month Plan breaks down to crazy low $8.33 a month, and gives you an entire year of unlimited talk and text, as well as 1GB of high-speed data every month. There are no other payments to make or additional steps to take. Plus there’s no contract and no hidden fees.

Let’s look at “unlimited data”

With so many cellular phone businesses vying for your money, it’s difficult to tell which you can trust. The overpriced services clamber, “Pick me!” with promises of low cost, unlimited data plans. But do you really need an unlimited amount of data? Will you use all of that data? Maybe. But if you don’t, guess what? You still have to pay for it.

If you’re on a $70 a month plan which gives you up to 23GB of data it means you’re paying $3.04 per GB of data. And if you’re using just 4GB a month (which is what most people typically use), you’re paying $57.40 per month for data you’re not using. Ouch.   

The truth is…

Most people use just 2-5GB of data per billing cycle, and that’s because you’d have to spend every waking moment, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week online to exceed that amount. The average consumer doesn’t do that, and that’s why the average consumer doesn’t need a $50, $60 or $70 a month unlimited plan!

At H2O Wireless, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use.

That’s why we’re proud to offer you plans starting as low as $18 a month (with auto pay) for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of data.

Need more data one month? Simply go into your account portal and add more. When next month rolls around, if you need less data, you can go right back into your portal and reduce it. Simply log onto PureTalk.com, click on My Account, and select Manage My Data. Make your changes, save them, and log out. It’s that simple.

Plus, H2O Wireless Connects You to the World

Each H2O Wireless Monthly Unlimited Plan includes unlimited international talk to 70 Countries (including China and Mexico), unlimited text to any country in the world, and up to $5 international talk credit depending on the plan you select. 

Purchase these features whenever you need:

International Talk

You can purchase International Talk for your plan for $5 or $10. Simply log into your account to make this purchase.

International Roaming

You can purchase International Roaming for your plan. This can be used for talk minutes, text, or MMS.

5G / 4G Data

You can purchase additional high speed data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10 or 5GB for $20.

Hotspot Data

Share your cellular data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB using laptops, tablets, and more by purchasing Hotspot Data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10, 5GB for $20, or 10GB for $30.

What our customers are saying:

“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Refer a Friend

When you join H2O Wireless, you can take advantage of our Refer a Friend (RAF) referral program. It enables you to share the H2O love and lower your bill! Share the H2O love with enough friends, and you might not even have a bill.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Spread the Word

Get your unique referral link, then send it to friends and family.

Step 2: Sign Them Up

Help your friend select an H2O Wireless Plan.

Step 3: Get Rewarded

Once your friend activates their H2O service, you each get rewarded with $50 in RAF rewards points.

RAF Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Refer a Friend Program?

Refer a Friend is the H2O® Wireless referral program in which you and a friend get $50 of H2O points for each activated referral.

When are H2O points applied to my account?

When the person referred activates their H2O Wireless service your rewards points will be applied. Please note: For Port-Ins, points will be received within 1-5 business days.

Do I get referral points if I just tell a friend about H2O?

No. They need to use your referral link.

How many people can I refer?

You can refer up to 10 people per month, which is a total of 120 referrals per year, for thousands of dollars’ worth of reward points. So many rewards points they might pay for your H2O service!

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Bring Your Own Phone

Have a phone you love? H2O Wireless makes it easy to bring it with you. Simply join H2O Wireless and, at checkout, choose eSIM. Like a physical SIM card, but without the 3-5 day wait for a physical card to arrive, eSIM enables you to use your new service much faster. In fact, you can activate your service right after checking out. Of course, before you select eSIM, make sure your phone is eSIM compatible by reviewing the list below.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

eSIM compatible phone models include:

• iPhone XS series
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone SE 2nd gen
• iPhone 12 series

What our customers are saying…

 “I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”

“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”

“My phone is an unlocked, international version Samsung. I pay $28 a month at H2O and get a service that is literally unlimited in every way. A special bonus with this plan, is that I get international texting - which I was unable to achieve with T-Mobile, Sprint or AT&T.”

With H2O Wireless it’s easy to stay connected to your family, friends, work, your favorite shows, podcasts, news outlets – your whole world – for less. That’s what makes us refreshingly. different. wireless.

See for yourself today!