Switching Carriers: Mobile Phone Number Portability

Verified 10 juin 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You keep your number by changing your mobile
Edit

Get your Rio ID

To request the portability of your number, you must first obtain your RIO identifier (Operator Identity Record).

The RIO is a 12-digit number.

You need to get it back front sign your contract with a new operator.

You must call 3179.

A voice server will then give you your RIO.

This service works regardless of your operator.

Who shall I contact

  • Operator Identity Statement (RIO) Request Server - 3179

    A voice server for requesting an operator identification record (RIO) as part of a request to retain a mobile phone number.

    By telephone

     3179 (call and free service from a mobile phone)

    A number common to all operators.

    Every day, 24 hours.

Following your call, you get a text message providing you with the RIO number and the termination date of your engagement with your former operator.

Sign a new contract

As soon as you have obtained your RIO, you must contact your new operator.

It's him who:

  • Termination of your old subscription with the old operator
  • Porting your number
  • Getting your new subscription up and running

Warning  

you must not terminate yourself your old subscription, it is your new operator who carries out the procedures.

Please note

if you subscribe via the internet, select the "I want to keep my current mobile number" and provide your RIO number.

How's the port going, what's the delay?

Your line is cut for 1 day

Porting is done in 1 working day.

When signing the contract, you decide with your new operator the day the portability takes place.

Example :

If the portability takes place on Tuesday, your line can be used again on Wednesday. If it happens on a Friday, you can use your line again the following Monday.

You change your SIM card

You receive an SMS that gives you a time slot to change your SIM card.

You then remove your old SIM card and put the new one.

Then, 4 hours after maximum, you can be called again and be called.

Cost

Portability is free.

Your operator, old or new, is not entitled to charge you for this service.

If you encounter a refusal from your operator

No operator can refuse you:

  • to change operator,
  • to request the unlocking of your phone.

In the event of a problem, you can alert the Electronic Communications Ombudsman or Arcep (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts).

Contact the electronic communications ombudsman online

FAQ