The CEO's Guide to Number Porting: Moving Your Business to AI Voice

For most business owners, their phone number is their most valuable asset—and their biggest fear. The thought of losing 20 years of brand recognition during a "porting" process keeps many locked into legacy landlines. But in 2026, holding onto a "dumb" phone isn't just an inconvenience; it's a bottleneck. Here is how to move your number to an AI-Voice engine safely and why it's the smartest operational move you'll make this year.

Is it possible to use my existing business phone number with an AI assistant?

Yes, you can keep your exact same number while upgrading the "brain" behind it. You do not need to print new business cards, update your Google My Business listing, or tell your clients to dial a different extension.

The process is called Number Porting. Just like you can take your mobile number from Optus to Telstra, you can take your business landline or VOIP number and move it to an "Agentic" engine like Seglo. Once moved, your number remains identical to the outside world, but instead of ringing a physical handset that might go unanswered, it rings an AI agent that answers instantly, 24/7.

"85% of business owners cite 'fear of downtime' as the primary reason they haven't upgraded their phone systems. In reality, modern porting involves zero service interruption."

How long does number porting take?

The porting process typically takes between 1 to 4 weeks, depending on your current "losing" carrier and the type of number you have.

While the administrative paperwork takes time, the actual "switch-over" happens in seconds. At Seglo, we use a "Parallel Path" strategy: your old phone continues to ring exactly as it does now until the very moment the port is approved. Once approved, the traffic is instantly routed to your new AI agent. There is no period where your number is "disconnected" or "out of order."

Why port your number to an AI Agent? (The Strategic Advantage)

Moving your number isn't just about changing carriers; it's about changing the utility of your voice channel. When you move to an AI-driven system, your phone transforms from a simple audio pipe into a data-rich growth engine.

• From "Dumb" to "Agentic": Standard phones just ring. Agentic phones recognize callers, check their history in your CRM, and greet them by name before they've even said hello.
• Unlimited Concurrency: A traditional landline can usually only handle one or two calls at once. An AI-hosted number can handle 50+ simultaneous calls, meaning your clients never hear a busy signal again.
• Automatic Data Capture: Every call is transcribed, summarized, and logged against the customer's profile automatically. You no longer have to wonder "what did that caller want?"—it's already in your dashboard.

Common Myths: Are there hidden risks?

Many owners believe that porting a number is a permanent, risky "black hole." Let's clear up the two biggest myths:

Myth 1: "I'll lose my number if the move fails."
Fact: Regulatory protections in Australia and most major markets ensure you own your number. A port request can be rejected for incorrect paperwork, but your number stays with your old carrier until everything is 100% correct.

Myth 2: "I can't go back."
Fact: Just as you ported in, you can port out. You retain full ownership of your asset at all times.

How Number Porting Works with Seglo

We've designed our process to be "white-glove," meaning we handle the technical headaches so you can stay focused on your business.

Step	Action	Your Responsibility
1. Submission	Upload a recent phone bill to your Seglo dashboard.	2 minutes
2. Verification	Our team verifies your account details with the national registry.	None
3. Negotiation	We handle the "rejection/approval" dance with your old carrier.	None
4. Cut-over	We coordinate the exact moment your number goes live on the AI.	None

Key Takeaways

• Ownership remains with you: You never lose your number; you only upgrade its capabilities.
• Zero Downtime: Your phone remains active during the entire administrative process.
• Scale on Demand: Moving to AI allows you to handle unlimited volume without hiring more staff.