This article explains the difference between the terms 'hosting', 'porting' and 'importing'.

Always use the correct industry terminology when working with telephone service providers to avoid confusion and interruptions in service.

Hosting

Industry term also used in Sakari
Also referred to as Hosted Messaging
Only supported for existing landline or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone numbers in the United States and Canada
Transfers only the SMS services of a number to a different provider from the original number provider.
The hosting arrangement exists between the voice provider and the SMS provider. SMS services are released by the former to the latter and can be reclaimed at any time
All SMS on hosted numbers are automatically routed through the new SMS provider
The phone number will continue to send and receive voice calls, and the original voice provider remains responsible for managing voice services

Porting

Industry term also used in Sakari
Transfers a phone number between two telephone service providers on behalf of an end-user.
Occurs between two number providers (typically voice providers, that may also provide SMS services)
Porting transfers voice and SMS services as a 'bundle' to the new provider, regardless of any existing hosting arrangements
Porting a number to a new provider terminates any existing hosting arrangement between the old voice provider and the SMS provider
Porting involves coordination between the existing provider and the new provider regarding the porting date
While numbers from any country can be ported to Sakari for SMS, voice services are not supported

Sakari term
Adding an outbound number as a Sender in Sakari via a number provider integration (e.g. Twilio, Aircall)
Only supported for numbers from the relevant provider
The original number provider remains the owner of voice and SMS services after importing
All SMS sent and received from Sakari using imported numbers use the original provider's SMS network
The phone number will continue to send and receive voice calls, and the original provider remains responsible for managing voice services
International and domestic SMS deliverability, coverage and troubleshooting remain the responsibility of the original provider