Porting - how does it work

Kurn

I know what it is - changing networks but keeping your own network

But once you are ported to another network what is going on in the background - for example is vodafone simply redirecting your calls to O2 now, because you moved to them?

cold_filter

Not really. there is a database of ported numbers so that if you dial 086555555 and it has ported to vodafone you will be routed to vodafone. All this happens in milliseconds so the user doesnt even notice.

Pythia

You hear a little beep just before the phone starts ring if it has been ported.

okcomputer

I would imagine you are with your new network completely, the 086 or 087 is just a number, now part of your new network and nothing to do with the old one

JNive

correct, the point above is pointed at the incoming call routing process.
call an 086 number which has ported to Vodafone, from a meteor phone, the meteor system would first ask O2 is that number on their network, it then looks up the ported database ad says no, its on Vodafone, and transfer the transaction to the Vodafone system, you hear your short beep indicating the hop, and then the call is routed to Vodafone who says 'yes thats one of our numbers' and connects