An office move is stressful enough without your phones going dark on day one. The good news is that, handled right, your numbers and call setup can move with you smoothly - and a modern phone system makes it dramatically easier than it used to be. Here's how to plan the phone side of a relocation.

The old way vs the new way

On the old copper network, moving office meant ordering new physical lines at the new site, hoping the dates lined up, and worrying about whether your number could follow. It was a common cause of move-day chaos.

With a digital or hosted phone system, your phone service isn't tied to a specific socket - it rides over the internet. So moving is often as simple as taking your handsets to the new office and plugging them into the new connection. This is one of the quiet benefits of leaving copper behind.

Can you keep your number when you move?

In most cases, yes. A geographic number (01/02) is tied to an area code, not your exact address, so you can usually keep your number when moving within a sensible distance. We cover the mechanics in keeping your business landline number.

Two things to know:

  • Moving within the same area - keeping your number is straightforward.
  • Moving a long distance - keeping a geographic number from your old area is often still possible on internet-based services, though it's worth confirming early. Many businesses happily keep an "out of area" number this way.

Plan the connectivity first

Your phones now depend on your internet connection, so the new site's connectivity is the critical path:

This is the step most likely to catch businesses out, so start it the moment you know your move date.

A simple office-move phone plan

  1. Confirm your move date and the new address.
  2. Order connectivity at the new site as early as possible.
  3. Arrange number porting (and any DDI ranges) to align with the move.
  4. Set up a failover so you're reachable even if dates slip.
  5. Test at the new site before you rely on it.
  6. Cease the old lines only once everything works at the new premises.

If your move coincides with replacing old analogue lines, combine it with our switch-off checklist - moving is the perfect moment to modernise.

Turn the move into an upgrade

Since you're changing things anyway, an office move is the ideal time to:

The bottom line

Moving office doesn't have to mean losing your number or your phones - port the numbers, sort the connectivity early, set up a failover, and test before you switch. With a digital system, the phones are often the easiest part of the move. Want a hand planning it? Explore our Cloud Telephony service or request a callback.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my phone number when I move office?

Usually yes. A geographic number is tied to an area code rather than your exact address, so it can be ported to your new premises. Even long-distance moves can often keep the original number on internet-based services.

What's the hardest part of moving phones to a new office?

Connectivity lead times. Because modern phones run over the internet, the new site's broadband must be installed and working before move day, so order it as early as possible and consider a 4G/5G failover as a safety net.

How early should I plan the phone move?

As soon as you have a move date. Broadband installs can take weeks, and number porting needs scheduling, so the phone and connectivity side should be planned alongside everything else, not left to the last minute.

Do I need new phone lines at the new office?

With a digital or hosted system you don't need traditional lines - you need a suitable internet connection. Your handsets can often simply be plugged in at the new site once connectivity is live.