How to port a Telkom number to VoIP in South Africa
Porting means keeping your existing phone number and moving it to a new provider. Your number is yours, not your operator's — South African number portability rules exist precisely so that changing provider does not cost you the number your customers already have. Here is how the process actually runs.
Porting moves an existing number from one licensed operator to another. The number itself does not change — the same digits keep working, they are simply routed to your new provider instead.
Porting is not call forwarding. Forwarding keeps your number with the old provider and bounces calls onward, which means you keep paying the old line rental. A completed port ends the relationship with the previous provider for that number.
Geographic numbers keep their area code. An 011 number stays 011 after porting; you do not lose the Johannesburg identity by moving it to VoIP.
What it costs and how long it takes
With Hopetel, porting costs R250 once-off and typically takes about 3 working days. That is on top of your monthly plan, which starts at R250/month for the Starter line.
Three working days is the normal case, not a guarantee. Ports get delayed when the details submitted do not match the losing operator's records exactly — see the failure list below.
What you need before you start
The exact number you want to port, including the area code.
Your most recent account or invoice from the current provider, showing the account number.
The account holder's details exactly as the current provider has them — company name, registration details or ID number.
Proof of identity and address for RICA, which South African law requires before any number can be activated.
A signed porting request authorising the move.
The single biggest cause of delay is a mismatch between what you submit and what the losing operator has on file. If the account is in a previous owner's name, or the business name changed and was never updated, fix that first.
The steps, in order
Choose your plan. The number needs somewhere to land, so the VoIP line is set up first.
Submit the porting request with the account details above.
The request is validated against the losing operator's records.
A port date is confirmed. Your existing line keeps working normally up to this point.
Cutover happens and calls begin arriving on your VoIP line.
Test immediately — call the number from a mobile to confirm it rings on the new line.
What can go wrong
Name mismatch. The commonest rejection. The porting request must match the losing operator's account record.
Outstanding balance. An account in arrears can block a port. Settle it first.
Wrong number type. Numbers bundled into certain fixed-line packages may need the package unbundled before the number can move.
Cancelling too early. Do not cancel the old service before the port completes — cancelling can release the number and lose it permanently. Cancel after cutover, not before.
Keeping calls flowing during the switch
Your existing line stays live right up to cutover, so there is no multi-day dead period. To be safe on the day:
Set up the VoIP line and test it with the temporary number before the port date.
Have call forwarding to a mobile ready as a fallback.
Schedule the cutover early in the week rather than on a Friday, so any issue can be resolved in business hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to port a number to Hopetel?+
Porting costs R250 once-off. Your monthly plan is separate and starts at R250/month for the Starter line.
How long does number porting take in South Africa?+
With Hopetel it typically takes about 3 working days from a valid request. Delays are almost always caused by details not matching the losing operator's records.
Will I lose calls while the number is porting?+
No. Your existing line keeps working until cutover. Do not cancel the old service beforehand — cancelling early can release the number.
Can I keep my 011 or 021 area code when porting to VoIP?+
Yes. Geographic numbers keep their area code when ported. An 011 number remains an 011 number.
Can I port a mobile number to a VoIP line?+
Hopetel provides geographic and national business numbers. If you want to move a mobile number, message us on WhatsApp on 063 063 0630 and we will tell you honestly whether it is possible in your case.