Switching providers: how can I keep my phone number?
Would you like to change providers and take your number with you? Comparis explains how to port your landline and mobile number.
03.01.2023
iStock/Antonio_Diaz
1. New provider: can I keep my mobile number?
Yes, you can keep your mobile number. All Swiss mobile phone providers offer number porting – the transfer of your old mobile phone number to the new mobile phone provider. If you port your mobile phone number, your old mobile phone subscription will be cancelled immediately. This is a standard process.
2. Transferring old mobile phone number: what do I do?
You request the number porting when ordering your new subscription. Some vendors already integrate the option in the online ordering process. Others provide a separate form or power of attorney.
Good to know: your new mobile phone provider is authorized to cancel your old mobile phone subscription and take over your mobile number.
What do I have to consider when switching to a new mobile phone provider?
Before concluding a new mobile phone subscription, find out about the minimum term and notice periods of your current mobile phone contract. In the event of early termination, the providers usually charge penalties.
Providers such as Salt cancel your subscription on your behalf by default at the end of your current contract period. Swisscom or Quickline, on the other hand, also carry out extraordinary cancellations.
3. Porting a mobile number: how long does it take?
When porting numbers, your number changes from the network of your old provider to the new provider. You will have no reception for a maximum of a few hours during the porting process.
Usually, your new provider will inform you in advance via SMS when this network interruption takes place. Depending on the provider, there is usually a period of a few weeks between placing the order and successful porting of the number.
| Provider | Length of time to transfer phone number | Earliest time for number porting order |
|---|---|---|
| Coop Mobile | approx. 10 working days | Up to 6 months before the end of the contract |
| Das Abo | max. 3 weeks | Up to 365 days before the end of the contract |
| M-Budget | No information available | No information available |
| Quickline | No information available | No information available |
| Salt | max. 3 weeks | Up to 365 days before the end of the contract |
| Sunrise | approx. 10 working days | At least 60 and a maximum of 120 days before the end of the contract |
| Swisscom | No information available | No information available |
| Wingo | No information available | Up to 6 months before the end of the contract |
| Yallo | approx. 10 working days | At least 60 and a maximum of 120 days before the end of the contract |
| Digital Republic | Immediately | Immediately |
*As of January 2023
If your old contract expires before the number porting with the new provider is completed, your phone number will be lost. Therefore, it is better to order your number porting sooner than later.
Jean-Claude Frick, Comparis digital expert
4. Porting your mobile number: how does it work at Sunrise, Swisscom, Salt etc?
If you want to change your provider and keep your number, the processes at the different mobile phone providers are very similar and uncomplicated. Swisscom goes so far as to assume the exchange costs of up to 500 francs for you in the event of an early termination of the contract.
Instructions from the individual providers
*As of January 2023
It’s worth comparing providers
Competition among providers has increased in recent years. Cheap providers have shaken up the mobile market. However, the subscription structures also became more complex. In other words, it is definitely worthwhile comparing the different options. Find the right plan for you at Comparis.
5. Carrying a mobile phone number with prepaid phone: is that possible?
With all providers, the switch from prepaid to postpaid subscription is easily done. You can also take your old prepaid number with you. You can port at any time because you are not bound by minimum contract periods or notice periods.
In such cases, the processing time of the new provider is also several weeks. Use up the remaining balance of your prepaid card before number porting.
Haven’t found a suitable follow-up contract yet? You can port your mobile phone number to a prepaid tariff and store it temporarily until you complete a new subscription. This way, your mobile number will not be lost and you will have enough time to find a suitable subscription offer.
Jean-Claude Frick, Comparis digital expert
6. Porting a landline number: what do I need to know?
It is possible to take your landline number with you with any provider. Again, there are notice periods and penalty fees. In addition, you should also take into account the processing time of your new provider when transferring your landline number.
This article was first published on 28.05.2010
