What is Number Hosting?
Hosting your business number allows you to keep your calling/faxing rights with your current provider while Hona manages the SMS (texting) rights. This way, you continue using your number without disruption and Hona can send text messages on your behalf.
Why Host your Business Number with Hona?
Maintain Your Current Number: No need to change your business number.
Communication Consistency: Clients will receive Hona SMS notifications from the same number they call to contact your firm
Minimal Disruption: Designed for a smooth transition with minimal downtime.
How Can I Host my Number?
Notify Your Hona Onboarding Manager: You'll need to provide them the number you wish to use and they will ensure the number is eligible for hosting. They'll initiate the process to send you a letter of authorization.
Notify Your Service Provider: Please inform your service provider to prevent any denial of the text provisioning request which will be made through Hona's phone provider Twilio. If your current provider denies or revokes text rights, the process to request these rights again can take much longer, typically around 2-3 weeks.
Sign electronic Letter of Authorization (LOA): This document grants Hona permission to host your number. Your Hona onboarding manager will forward send you this letter to sign. Once this letter is signed, the hosting request process will proceed and your Hona onboarding manager will notify you once it's complete.
Complete the Transition: When the LoA is signed, Hona will work with our carrier, Twilio, to register the number for SMS and then test it for inbound connectivity. Once the test passes, the number will be enabled for use.
Start Using Your Number: Hona will notify you once the transition is complete. Afterward, all Hona SMS inbound and outbound messages and notifications will be sent from your number.
Important Downtime Information
While most numbers are hosted in a few hours below are the expected timeframes given by our phone provider:
A landline number can take up to one business day to SMS enable, test inbound connectivity, and provision to your account
A Toll-Free number can take up to three business days to update
TIP: For the smoothest experience, we recommend starting the hosting process on a Friday afternoon or evening. This timing reduces the impact of any potential downtime. You can work with your Hona CSM to align on this timing.
What numbers are eligible for Hosting?
Hosted Number supports US and Canada numbers
The following numbers are currently NOT eligible for hosting:
VOIP numbers
Mobile/Cell phone numbers
Number outside of the US or Canada
Numbers already owned by a Twilio account for voice services cannot be hosted on another Twilio account for messaging services.
RingCentral numbers (requests are often not approved, though some exceptions exist)
Need Assistance?
Please contact your Hona Onboarding Manager or Customer Success Manager to begin the number hosting process or for additional assistance