> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peerlogic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Porting vs. hosting your numbers

> Learn the difference between porting a phone number to Peerlogic Voice and hosting only its text messaging, and which option fits your practice.

When you bring a phone number to Peerlogic, it moves in one of two ways. **Porting** moves the entire number, both voice and text messaging (SMS/MMS), to Peerlogic. **Hosting** moves only one part of the number's service. Peerlogic handles the messaging while voice stays with another provider, or Peerlogic keeps the voice service while another provider handles the messaging.

## How it works

### Full porting

Porting transfers a phone number from your current carrier to Peerlogic. When the port is complete, Peerlogic becomes the carrier for the number and is responsible for routing its calls and messages.

* **When to use it:** You are canceling your previous phone service and moving your entire phone system to Peerlogic.
* **What you provide:** A signed Letter of Authorization (LOA) and account records from your current provider. See [Port your numbers to Peerlogic](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/port-numbers-to-peerlogic) for the full list of documents.
* **After the port:** Cancel your old service after the port is complete so you are not billed twice.

### Hosted messaging

Hosted messaging moves only the text messaging (SMS/MMS) part of a phone number. Voice calls are not affected. Hosting works in either direction:

* **Messaging to Peerlogic:** Peerlogic handles text messages for the number, and calls continue to ring through your existing voice provider.
* **Messaging away from Peerlogic:** Peerlogic keeps the voice service for the number, and another platform handles its text messages.

To host messaging for a Peerlogic number on another platform, ask that platform to start the hosting request. Peerlogic must authorize the number to be hosted away.

If Peerlogic already provides voice service for a number and you now want Peerlogic to handle its text messages too, the number can't be ported again because it's already with Peerlogic. [Contact Peerlogic Support](https://support.peerlogic.com/contact/) to add Peerlogic messaging for the number instead. Your other messaging provider must approve and release the messaging service, and some providers notify you during this step.

To send business text messages from a number on Peerlogic, [register your practice for 10DLC texting](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/register-for-10dlc-texting).

## Key details

| | Full porting | Hosted messaging |
| - | - | - |
| **Voice service** | Peerlogic | Stays with the provider that has it now |
| **SMS/MMS service** | Peerlogic | Peerlogic or another provider |
| **Responsibility** | Peerlogic manages the whole number | Shared between Peerlogic and the other provider |
| **Typical use** | You are moving entirely to Peerlogic | You want voice and messaging with different providers |
| **Who starts the request** | Peerlogic, after you provide the required documents | The provider that will handle the messaging |

## Related

* [Port your numbers to Peerlogic](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/port-numbers-to-peerlogic)
* [Port numbers away from Peerlogic](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/port-numbers-away)
* [Register your practice for 10DLC texting](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/register-for-10dlc-texting)
* [Contact Peerlogic Support](https://support.peerlogic.com/contact/)


## Related topics

- [Port your numbers to Peerlogic](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/port-numbers-to-peerlogic.md)
- [Port numbers away from Peerlogic](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/port-numbers-away.md)
- [Register your practice for 10DLC texting](/peerlogic-voice/onboarding/register-for-10dlc-texting.md)
- [Report an incorrect spam label](/peerlogic-voice/troubleshooting/remove-spam-label.md)
- [Release notes](/release-notes.md)


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