How to Switch Your Business from Telstra and Keep Your Numbers
How to move business phones, numbers and internet off Telstra: what to check first, how porting works, realistic timeframes and mistakes to avoid.
To switch your business from Telstra, check your current agreement for any remaining contract or equipment charges, list every phone number and service on the account, set up your new services, and let your new provider port your numbers across. Don't cancel the Telstra services yourself first. A standard port typically takes 5–10 business days and a complex port 2–6 weeks, and a temporary call diversion keeps calls reaching you while it completes.
SIP Connect manages the whole move for Australian businesses: the bill review, the new internet and phone system, the number port and the cutover. Here is how it works and what to check before you start.
Before you start: what to check
Your agreement.
Note the contract end date and whether any early termination charges or equipment repayments apply. If you're unsure, send us a recent bill and we'll go through it with you.
Every number on the account.
Main numbers, direct lines, fax numbers, 1300 and 1800 numbers, and the lines nobody thinks about: alarms, lifts, EFTPOS terminals and gate intercoms. A number left off the port request can be left behind.
Your account details, exactly as Telstra holds them.
Account number, account holder name, ABN and service address. A mismatch is the most common reason a port is rejected, and a rejected port resets the clock.
Everything else on the bill.
Mobiles, internet, Microsoft 365 licences or hardware rentals often share the same account. Decide what moves and what stays so nothing is cancelled by accident.
Whether you're on Telstra DOT.
DOT is being retired, which changes the timeline. See Telstra DOT replacement.
How the switch works, step by step
Bill review and plan.
We review your current bill, list every service and recommend what to move, in what order.
New services set up first.
Your new internet and phone system are installed and tested before any number moves, so there is somewhere for calls to land.
Port request lodged.
You sign the porting authority and we match your details to the Telstra account before submitting it.
Temporary call diversion.
While the port is in progress, calls keep reaching your team.
Cutover.
Your numbers move on the scheduled date and we test inbound and outbound calls straight after.
Old services closed.
Only once everything is confirmed working do any remaining Telstra services get closed, and we check the final bill with you.
How long it takes
Most of the time is the number port, which is set by the losing carrier. As a guide:
Standard ports
Typically 5–10 business days.
Complex ports
Typically 2–6 weeks.
Enterprise and multi-service projects
May exceed 6 weeks, depending on carrier dependencies and service complexity.
Actual porting timeframes vary between carriers and service types and are subject to validation and wholesale carrier approval. Internet timeframes depend on the connection type at your address, so we confirm both before you commit.
Mistakes to avoid
Cancelling first.
Cancelling a Telstra service before the port completes can put the number at risk. The port moves the number; cancellation comes last.
Leaving numbers off the request.
Every number you want to keep has to be listed.
Forgetting alarm, lift and EFTPOS lines.
They often run on old copper services and need checking before anything changes.
Changing internet and phones in the same hour with no fallback.
We stage the move so calls always have a path.
Still deciding whether to leave at all? Our Telstra business alternative page covers what changes with an independent provider and what to compare. To see your own numbers, start with a free bill analysis.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel my Telstra service before switching?
No. Leave your Telstra services running until the port is complete. The new provider requests the port, which moves your numbers across; cancelling first can put the numbers at risk.
How long does it take to switch from Telstra?
A standard number port typically takes 5–10 business days and a complex port 2–6 weeks. Enterprise and multi-service projects may take longer. Actual timeframes vary between carriers and service types and are subject to validation and wholesale carrier approval.
Will my phones stop working during the switch?
Calls keep reaching you. A temporary call diversion covers the porting period, the cutover is scheduled with you, and we test calls straight after the numbers move.
Do I need to tell Telstra I'm leaving?
Not for the numbers you're porting: the port request comes from your new provider. Services that aren't moving, such as hardware rentals or plans you no longer need, may need closing with Telstra directly once the move is complete. We'll list which ones.
Will I have to pay exit fees?
It depends on your agreement. Check for remaining contract terms and equipment repayments before you move; we can go through your bill with you. Telstra DOT customers should read our DOT replacement page.
Can I keep my 1300 and 1800 numbers?
Yes. 1300 and 1800 numbers can be ported like other numbers, and you keep them registered to your business. See 1300 and 1800 numbers.
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