Porting and Hosting Numbers with Sinch

[Shahzad_Ismail]

Sinch offers two options to service your existing numbers:

• Porting
• Hosted Messaging
  
  

Porting

If you would like to use Sinch as your voice service provider (instead of your existing provider), then you need to port your numbers to Sinch. Porting your numbers will enable you to use both Sinch voice service and, if desired, text service for the ported numbers.

To port your numbers to Sinch, complete the Sinch Letter of Authorization for Local Number Porting and send to your Sinch Account Manager, or contact Sinch if you have any questions.

Hosted Messaging

If you intend to keep your voice service with your existing provider, then you can host your numbers for messaging with Sinch. You can host your numbers if they are already text enabled or, if not, Sinch can enable text messaging so you can send and receive messages on your voice-enabled numbers (including landline numbers). Hosting your numbers allows you to use Sinch text services and leave your voice services with your existing voice service provider.

To host your numbers with Sinch, we recommend you use the following automated process: Hosting SMS Numbers for US and Canada.

Note: If you want to port your number to Sinch for voice, and migrate your existing messaging service to Sinch, it is recommended to migrate messaging first, then port your number. This is because some providers will release a number for messaging if it has been ported for voice, which may disrupt your existing messaging service.

[#2]

To send or receive SMS messages with Sinch, you will need a virtual number from Sinch. A virtual number is a standard telephone number that is not locked down to a specific phoneline. It can route a voice call, text message or fax message to any phone or application workflow. 

You can get numbers that are set up for SMS, Voice, Fax or a combination of these. You can buy a number from any country where Sinch has numbers in inventory. Countries with numbers available for rental are marked with Direct Access. All other countries will require you to submit a request to Sinch for manual handling.

Note: When you get a virtual number supporting documentation may be required and will need to be submitted before the transaction can be completed. If this is the case a message will be displayed at the bottom of your form (in an orange box). Learn more about supporting documentation.

To search for and rent virtual numbers:

1. Log in to the Sinch Customer Dashboard.
   
   
2. Select Numbers from the left menu and select the Get virtual numbers option. The Get virtual numbers page is displayed:
   
   
   
   This page allows you to search for the type of number you require using the following criteria:
   
   

   Country	Enter the country you require a number for.
   Number	If you are looking for a particular number, type in some of the digits you require in the Number.
   Type	Select the type of number you require.
   Feature	Select the features for the number you require.

1. Click SEARCH.
   
   If you don't want to specify any details about the number, choose your country and click SEARCH.
   
   
2. A list of available numbers to buy are displayed:
   
   
   
   
3. To rent a number, click GET next to the number you want to buy. The number details dialog is displayed:
   
   
   
   This dialog displays the details of the number you want to purchase, setup information, the associated terms of use and fees, and some additional fields (dependant on the type of number you selected).

1. As an option for 10DLC numbers in the USA and Canada, you can also specify the campaign that you would like to configure the number on.
   
   Note: This step is optional and you can specify the campaign later by selecting the Your virtual numbers option from the Numbers left hand menu.
   

2.  

3. If you click SHOW CONFIGURATION in the Setup section you can view details of the SMS and/or Voice configuration(s) for this number, which are automatically filled in:
   
   

4.  

5. However, if you have multiple configurations, then you will need to select the correct SMS and/or Voice, Fax configurations from the corresponding drop-down fields. 
   
   

   Click GET NUMBER to purchase the number.
   
   Note: You need to ensure you have sufficient funds to purchase the number and pay any associated setup fees.

The details of the number you have purchased will be displayed in Your virtual numbers:

You can configure your number with an SMS, Voice or Campaign ID (only for 10DLC numbers) when you activate the number. Learn more about 10DLC Numbers.

When you get a virtual number, supporting documentation may be required and will need to be submitted before the transaction can be completed. If this is the case a message will be displayed at the bottom of your form (in an orange box). Learn more about supporting documentation.

Click here to learn more about how you can get access to a complete range of carefully-tested phone numbers, to use with all your communication services from Sinch.