Switching Carriers: Mobile Phone Number Portability

Verified 16 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You want to change operator all at keeping your number mobile phone? This is possible thanks to the number portability. What are the steps to follow? We present you with the information you need to know.

Warning  

Portability can only be exercised withinthe same French territory of the following 7 territories:

  • Metropolitan France
  • Guadeloupe - Saint-Martin - Saint-Barthélemy
  • Guiana
  • Martinique
  • Reunion
  • Mayotte
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Step-by-step approach

The unlocking of your phone is also called unlocking.

It must be distinguished from the unblocking of your SIM card that occurs when you have typed 3 erroneous PIN codes at the time of turning on your device.

By locking your terminal, the operator prevents your phone from carrying a SIM card belonging to another operator.

By having your terminal unlocked, you can keep your phone while changing operator.

The unlocking of your terminal can be done at any time. However, it is free of charge depending on your employment contractcommitment and its duration with your old operator.

Please note

If you buy your mobile phone "naked", without a package, elsewhere than at an operator (in an electronics store for example), your device is unlocked and does not require any unlocking. Conversely, if you buy your mobile phone with a plan, from an operator, your device is usually blocked and requires the unlocking.

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Contract with commitment

The rules depend on the existence or otherwise of a period of employment and the length of time since the date of conclusion of the contract.

General case

In principle, unlocking is free after 6 months from the date of subscription.

You have been subscribed for more than 3 months

Unlocking is free if your operator is Member of the French Telecommunications Federation (FFT).

You have been subscribed for less than 3 months

Your operator will ask you to pay for unlocking according to the price conditions linked to your contract.

Contract without commitment period

Your mobile phone is not locked. You don't need to have it unlocked.

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.

    You receive the RIO by voice server and then by SMS.

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.

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.

If you subscribe to a subscription via the Internet, select the "I want to keep my current mobile number" and provide your RIO number.

Line 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.

SIM card change

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 call again and be called.

No operator can refuse you to change operator and 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

Alert Arcep (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts)

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • To get the RIO of your mobile

    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.

    You receive the RIO by voice server and then by SMS.

  • For further information

    Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (Arcep)