Get or bring a phone number

In Nuteq, every phone number your agent answers comes from Telnyx, the carrier Nuteq uses for calling and texting. You can add a number two ways: search for a new local number and assign it in minutes, or bring the business number you already have by porting it over from your current carrier.

Before you start

Decide whether you want a new number or your current one. A new number is instant and needs nothing from your current carrier, which is the fastest way to get an agent answering calls today. Porting an existing number keeps the number your customers already call, but it depends on your old carrier's own process and takes longer.

Either way, have an agent ready to assign the number to. If you don't have one yet, create an agent first, since a number is only useful once something answers it.

Get a new number

Open Connections, go to the Phone tab, and click Get a new number. Pick a country and, if you want a specific local area code, type it in. Nuteq shows a list of available numbers with their monthly cost. Pick one, choose the agent that should answer it, and confirm. The number is added to your workspace right away and your agent starts answering calls to it immediately.

Texting is a separate step for US numbers. A new US number can answer calls the moment it's added, but it can't send or receive text messages until your business passes carrier registration, which Nuteq submits for you. See SMS registration for what that involves.

Bring your existing number

Click Bring my existing number to start a port request. First, Nuteq checks whether your number is eligible to move, using the phone number and country you enter. If it's portable, fill in the billing details that match your current carrier's bill exactly: the account holder's name, your carrier's name, the account number, and the PIN or passcode on the account, plus the service address on file.

Next, upload a letter of authorization or a recent bill as proof you're allowed to move the number, and confirm you'll keep the number active with your current carrier until the transfer finishes. Submit the request and Nuteq coordinates the transfer with your carrier. You can track its progress in the Port requests list on the same page.

Best practices

Keep your old phone service running and paid up until a port request shows as complete. If your old carrier cancels the number before the port finishes, the transfer fails and the number can be lost for good. Double check that the billing details you enter match your carrier's bill exactly. A small mismatch, like a middle initial or an old address, is the most common reason a port gets rejected.

Troubleshooting

If a number search comes back empty, try a neighboring area code or leave the area code blank to see numbers from the wider region. If a port request comes back as not portable, the message explains why. For anything else, see Phone troubleshooting or contact support.