Complete a letter of authorization for number porting

Learn how to complete letters of authorization (part of the number porting process) using manual or automated systems.

By Emily Bowen

What is a letter of authorization?

A letter of authorization is a document that allows a new telecommunications service provider to transfer a phone number from an existing carrier. It verifies that the phone number’s rightful owner has authorized the transfer. The LOA includes essential details such as the account holder’s name, service address, and phone numbers.

Completing this document accomplishes several important things:

Ensures that number porting occurs smoothly
Protects against unauthorized transfers
Helps maintain communication continuity when customers switch providers
Links the porting request to specific customer accounts
Details their service information, laying the legal groundwork for the transfer

However, to achieve all these goals, it’s critical to complete your LOA correctly.

How to complete a letter of authorization

Two methods—manual and automatic—can be used to complete an LOA when initiating a number porting request. Each method has specific steps you must follow to ensure accuracy and legality.

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Completing an LOA manually

Most providers still rely on the traditional manual process, which involves several detailed steps to ensure accuracy and legality. This method can be time-consuming and requires meticulous attention to detail to avoid any errors or delays.

Here's how to manually complete an LOA:

Select the correct form. Start by choosing the appropriate LOA form for your service type, whether it's residential or business.
Fill in required information. Complete all the fields on the form thoroughly, including the full legal name of the account holder, the service address, and the phone numbers to be ported. Missing or incorrect information can lead to significant delays.
Add signature and date. Ensure the authorized account holder or their designated representative signs and dates the LOA to confirm the transfer request.
Ensure clarity and legibility. Write legibly or enter information accurately to prevent any confusion or misinterpretation that could delay the porting process.
Verify details. Double-check the form before submitting it to ensure all details—especially account numbers and contact information—are accurate.
Adhere to submission protocols. Follow the specific guidelines provided by your new carrier to ensure they can process your LOA smoothly and efficiently.

Completing this process carefully and accurately ensures a smooth transition to your new service provider.

Completing an LOA using automated processing

Utilizing a provider that offers automated processing for LOAs can significantly streamline your number porting process. Providers like Telnyx feature advanced auto-generation capabilities for LOAs, which offers several key advantages over the traditional manual process:

Efficiency: Quickly creates and submits LOAs, reducing administrative efforts and completing processes in just minutes.
Accuracy: Automated systems minimize human errors by pre-populating fields, ensuring data precision and compliance with required standards.
Convenience: Facilitates easy remote sharing and signing of LOAs, cutting down on paperwork.
Security: Enhances protection of sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Automated processing ensures your operations aren’t held up while waiting on tedious manual processing.

Use Telnyx's automated LOA feature to quickly and easily port numbers

Letters of authorization are an essential part of the number porting process. Depending on the provider you choose, you may be required manually generate your LOA.

Switching service providers often involves number porting—transferring phone numbers—to get better rates or expand coverage. A crucial step in this process is completing a letter of authorization (LOA), which legally allows the transfer of phone numbers between carriers.

Traditionally, this process has been manual and sometimes error-prone. But today, advancements in automation have streamlined and improved the accuracy of creating LOAs. By automating the LOA process, companies like Telnyx speed up the transfer of phone numbers and enhance security and accuracy, reducing interruptions that could negatively affect customer satisfaction and compliance.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this post:

What an LOA is and how it factors into number porting.
The advantages of choosing a provider that offers automated LOA generation.
How to complete an LOA both manually and using an automated system like Telnyx’s.

How to auto-generate an LOA with Telnyx

The Telnyx auto-generation feature streamlines the porting process for U.S. and Canadian local phone numbers. Here’s how to auto-generate your LOA with Telnyx:

Initiate request: Log into the Mission Control Portal. Initiate your port request, then choose “auto-generate an LOA.”
Customize template: Apply your company's branding to the LOA.
Enter the signer’s details and add a digital signature.

Telnyx stands out further by allowing you to customize LOA templates with your company's branding and by facilitating efficient digital signing and sharing.

Plus, Telnyx delivers tailored number porting solutions in over 50 countries, effectively managing common porting challenges such as delays and technical issues. Our integrated FastPort® system lets you control the timing and scheduling of number ports on demand. This feature provides flexibility and immediate activation to maintain service levels and enhance customer engagement.

Contact our team to learn more about our automated porting features and FastPort system. Or start porting numbers today in the Mission Control Portal.

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Review and modify:

Download or submit: Either download the LOA to your computer or attach it to your port order.

Note: If you aren’t the signer, finish by generating a secure, shareable link through the "Share LOA" feature and send it to the authorized signer for fast and secure completion.

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