Getting a business mobile number

Why have a separate business mobile number

Many sole traders and small businesses start out using a personal mobile for work. It works until it does not: customers call at all hours, the number is printed on vans and websites, and if the business grows or the person leaves, nobody is sure who the number belongs to.

A dedicated business mobile number solves that. It:

• Separates work and personal life, so you can switch off the work line outside hours
• Belongs to the business, so it stays when staff change roles or leave
• Looks more professional on your website, invoices and listings
• Simplifies accounts and tax, because business and personal costs are not mixed on one bill

HMRC treats phones provided by an employer differently from staff using their own contracts, so read are company mobile phones a benefit in kind? before you decide how to set things up.

Your options at a glance

A separate company phone

The simplest option is a dedicated phone with its own business line. The number sits on your business account, you control the plan and spend, and the phone can be managed with device management and wiped when it comes back.

It is the clearest arrangement for ownership and security, and it suits roles where a phone stays with the job rather than the person, such as an on-call phone or a site phone. The downside is carrying two phones. If you are setting up several, see our guides to business mobile phone contracts and company mobile phones.

Two numbers on one phone with dual SIM or eSIM

Most recent phones can run two lines at once, using an eSIM alongside a physical SIM or two eSIMs. A member of staff can then make and receive work and personal calls on one handset, and choose which number to use for each call.

Each network sets out how this works on its own business eSIM pages. EE Business says an eSIM lets employees use one phone for both personal and business numbers, whether you operate a bring-your-own-device policy or company-owned phones.

Three Business describes getting two numbers on one phone with two eSIMs, or an eSIM and a physical SIM.

Vodafone Business describes running two different numbers, for business and personal use, on one compatible device.

Two things to agree up front: who owns the phone (and therefore what happens to it when someone leaves) and which line carries data. Our business eSIM guide covers set-up, and our company mobile phone policy checklist covers the rules.

Keeping your number when you switch

If you already have a number your customers know, you can usually keep it when you move to a new network or a new business account. In the UK, switching networks with your number uses a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC):

1. Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to keep. You will receive your PAC by text, and it is valid for 30 days.
2. To check any charges for ending your current contract early, text INFO to 85075 first.
3. Give the PAC to your new network or to us when you order. The new network completes the switch, usually within one working day.
4. Your old contract ends when the number moves. If you want to leave without keeping the number, text STAC to 75075 instead.

On a business account, the account holder or administrator may need to request the PAC. If a number has already been disconnected, EE Business says it can be ported up to 31 days after disconnection, so act quickly. Moving landline and office numbers is different; see our sister site's guide to business number porting.

Moving a personal number to a business account

Many sole traders and small business owners want to move the personal number they have always used onto a business account. It is often possible, but the route depends on the network.

Within the same network it is not always straightforward: some networks say they cannot currently move a consumer account, or a number on one, onto a business account. If the business account is with a different network, the number can usually be moved with a PAC. Whatever the route, the person who currently holds the number has to request the move.

Before you move a personal number onto a company account, be clear about what you are agreeing to. Once a number sits on a business account, the business holds it. If the person later leaves, getting the number back may need a transfer of ownership or another port. Put the agreement in writing, and tell us your situation so we can check the options for the network you are moving to.

A business number through a cloud phone app

If your business uses a cloud phone system, staff can make and take calls from a mobile app using the business's own numbers, including landline-style numbers. Calls go over mobile data or Wi-Fi, and the phone system decides where incoming calls ring.

This suits teams who want office and mobile calls on one system, with features such as call groups and recording. It is not a replacement for a mobile line, because the app needs a data connection, but it pairs well with business mobile contracts. Forever Group's cloudphone.cloud covers cloud phone systems, including softphone apps.

Setting up a business mobile number with us

Here is how it usually works when you set up work numbers through Forever Communications:

1. Tell us how many work numbers you need, whether you want new numbers or to keep existing ones, and what phones people use.
2. We help you choose between separate phones, dual SIM or eSIM, based on how your team works.
3. We can check coverage where you work and quote on the networks that suit you. We supply EE Business and Three Business, and can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business.
4. The network completes its own checks for the business account, which can include a credit check.
5. Existing numbers move over with PAC codes, and new lines are activated on SIM or eSIM.

Contact us to get started. Our sister site also covers business SIM only plans.