Change Provider and Keep Mobile Phone Number – Fast & Easy
There is still a misconception that switching telephone providers is complicated. Because many people fear bureaucratic chaos or technical problems when switching, they prefer to stay with their current mobile phone provider – even if they have been paying too much for years. We show how easy it is to switch providers with or without alao.
alao Tip: When you sign up for a new contract with alao, you not only benefit from exclusive discounts, but we also cancel your old contract and take your mobile phone number with you free of charge. Your new contract will start right on time, so you don’t have to pay twice. At alao, we guarantee to offer you the best price, so you don’t have to worry about getting your desired tariff at a lower price somewhere else.
To take your phone number with you without alao
If you are looking for a new mobile phone contract or a prepaid card from another mobile phone company, you should follow these steps.
1. Check availability
Check which provider gives you the best reception in your preferred locations.
2. Enter the subscription jungle
Look for the subscription or prepaid plan that best meets your needs. Try to estimate how much data volume you need so that you are not throttled in the end. Phone calls abroad or on holiday outside Switzerland (roaming) can also be expensive due to high charges. Here, too, make sure that you calculate your needs correctly and take out a mobile phone contract with a suitable inclusive volume.
3. Should it be a new mobile phone?
You have to decide whether you want to get a new mobile phone when you sign a new contract. Think about the environment that you are polluting with every additional smartphone, tablet or similar device. We recommend that you continue to use your old device. The environment and your wallet will thank you!
4. Choose the contract period
Think carefully about how long you want the contract to last: 12 months, 24 months, or possibly no fixed term. If you get a new smartphone with your contract, you are usually bound to the provider for two years.
5. Keep old mobile phone number
1. State the old number when concluding the contract
Sign your new contract and enter your old number when you sign the contract. It is very important that you state in your new contract that you want to take your number with you.
Attention! Make sure that your name is exactly the same as the name of your old contract. If only one letter is different, the old provider may not accept the number change. If you sign your new contract through alao, we have the option to talk directly to our contacts at the old provider and make the change possible. The success rate in these cases is high, but there may still be some refusals. So pay close attention to how you write your name.
2. Do not terminate the old contract yourself
At alao, we make sure that your old and new contract merge smoothly. Of course, you can also do this yourself. As soon as the minimum term of your old contract has expired, you can sign a new contract. Do not cancel your old contract yourself, but tell the new provider that you want to take your phone number with you. This way, your new provider will cancel your contract with your old provider and ensure that you keep your phone number.
Good to know: Of course, you can also cancel your contract yourself, but you should do so at least one month before the end of the contract period. The earlier you cancel, the greater the chance of keeping your number.
Tip 6: Park your phone number on a prepaid card
If you don’t have a new subscription in sight, but still need to cancel your old contract (for example, because it’s too expensive), it can be worthwhile to park your phone number on a prepaid card. That way you won’t lose your number. But here, too, the rule is: first sign a prepaid contract and apply for number portability, then cancel your contract with your old provider.
Number portability for business subscriptions
If you want to transfer the number from a business subscription, it is important that your employer also agrees to the number transfer. The best way to do this is to transfer the number in question to a prepaid card, thus removing it from the employer’s “portfolio” for the time being. In a second step, you can then take out a subscription in your own name and transfer the number at any time without any problems.
This is how you can transfer your phone number with alao
As a service portal, we offer the full program: from tariff selection to contract conclusion to termination, our team is always at your side to answer your questions.
1. Your perfect tariff at the best price
On our mobile phone tariff comparison page, you can see all the tariffs of the most popular providers at a glance. Simply enter your user behavior and find the best subscription at the guaranteed best price. What’s more, you never pay activation fees with alao.
2. Stress-free online purchasing process
At alao, you can sign your new mobile phone contract online in 5 minutes. We will then conclude the contract between you and your new provider.
Questions or problems?
If you have any questions or problems, you can always contact us, whether before or after signing the contract. We have direct contact persons at the providers and can therefore solve problems immediately. We are there for you 7 days a week by phone, email or live chat.
3. Call number transfer
Simply choose whether you want to keep your old phone number or get a new one. We will then take care of the rest.
Alao Tip: Sometimes you can choose one of the available phone numbers. It also happens that for particularly easy-to-remember numbers – so-called gold numbers – an additional amount is charged. You always pay more for cool features! Finally, you have to set the day when your existing phone number is to be transferred from the old provider to the new one.
This is what happens to your old contract
Outstanding bills from the old contract do not prevent the number porting. Of course, you can still be claimed for the amounts still owed – even after your new contract has started.
As soon as the new contract has been activated with a successful phone number transfer, the old contract should be automatically deactivated. The providers take care of the number porting among themselves. Once the transfer is complete, your old number will work with the new SIM card.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a risk of losing data by switching providers?
As data such as contacts are no longer stored on the SIM card but online, data loss is unlikely. We recommend that you save a backup. Then you are on the safe side.
Can I make phone calls with my smartphone during the porting process?
While your number is being transferred from one provider to another, you can make outgoing calls by using the old SIM card. Incoming calls only work by using the new SIM card.
What does the number transfer cost?
Number portability used to be associated with high costs. Since 21 December 2021, this is no longer the case – number portability has been free of charge since then.
How long does it take to take the number with me?
The process of transferring your number is fully automated. If you follow the above guide and switch in time, you will have your old number on time for the start of your new subscription.
Can I take my landline number with me?
That depends on where you are moving to. If you move within the city, it is usually not a problem to transfer your fixed network number, as long as the area code does not change. If you move to another city, this is not possible.
Can I take my phone number abroad?
Unfortunately, a number transfer abroad is not possible.
alao guarantees a stress-free subscription change at the best price
As you can see, you can take your number with you and if you follow our tips, everything should go smoothly. At alao, we take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry. You simply choose your preferred date and let us know your old number. We will cancel your old contract and take the number with us free of charge. The smooth transition means you don’t have to pay twice.
At alao, you also get subscriptions with up to 75% discount and guaranteed at the lowest price, so you don’t have to worry about whether it’s cheaper somewhere else. And don’t forget, you don’t have to pay the activation fee with alao either. Take a look at our subscription finder right now.
