Hosting vs Porting:
The choice depends on whether you need the number for voice calls.
Porting: Transfers both messaging & calling rights to Hona’s carrier (Twilio). Do this if you are using Hona’s Voice AI that uses AI to answer calls and filter leads.. (More about VoiceAI here)
Hosting: Transfers only messaging rights to Hona while keeping calling with your current carrier. Ideal if you still need the number for voice calls.
Hosting Process Overview
Request Submission – Hona submits a request to Twilio to host your number.
Eligibility Check – Twilio verifies if the number can be hosted.
Approval or Denial – If eligible, hosting moves forward; if denied, you’ll get a reason.
Ownership Verification – You confirm ownership via a phone call or a recent bill.
Letter of Authorization (LOA) – You sign an official approval document. Once signed, your previous messaging service stops working.
Carrier Processing – External carriers update messaging configurations (may cause downtime).
Messaging Registration – Your number is added to Hona’s Messaging Campaign to prevent spam issues.
Testing – Messaging functionality is verified with test messages.
Completion – Your number is fully hosted and ready for messaging in Hona.
Important Notes
Hosting does not affect your calling services.
If your number is currently used for messaging elsewhere, you’ll lose access to the previous service once hosting is complete.
Possible Downtime may occur during steps 6-7, ranging from a few hours to several days, depending on external carriers.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
✔ Schedule the switch after business hours (preferably on a Friday) to minimize disruption.
✔ Inform clients in advance about potential messaging downtime.
✔ Have an alternative contact method ready in case of delays.
✔ Notify your phone carrier & previous messaging provider to avoid conflicts.
By following these steps, your hosting process with Hona can be completed in as little as 30 minutes to 1 hour, with minimal disruption.