SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                          Commission File Number 1-8191

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One):    |X| Form 10-K    |_| Form 20-F   |_| Form 11-K     |_| Form 10-Q

For Period Ended:          December 31, 1999
                           -----------------

|_| Transition Report on Form 10-K
|_| Transition Report on Form 20-F
|_| Transition Report on Form 11-K
|_| Transition Report on Form 10-Q
|_| Transition Report on Form N-SAR

For the Transition Period Ended:________________________________________________

      Read attached instruction sheet before preparing form. Please print or
type.

      Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.

      If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:_________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Part I - Registrant Information

Full name of registrant: PORTA SYSTEMS CORP.
Former name if applicable

575 UNDERHILL BLVD.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Address of principal executive office (Street and number)
SYOSSET, NY 11791
- ---------------------------------------------------------
City, State and Zip Code



Part II. Rule 12b-25 (b) and (c)

      If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check appropriate box.)

|X|   (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

|X|   (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be filed on or
before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject
quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be
filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

|_|   (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.

Part III. Narrative

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K, 11-K, 20-F, 10-Q,
N-SAR or the transition report portion thereof could not be filed within the
prescribed time period.

The Company is in the process of negotiating with its senior lender with respect
to an extension of its credit line. If the extension is granted it will have a
significant effect upon the Company's financial statements.

Part IV. Other Information

      (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification

Edward B. Kornfeld         (516)                 364-9300
- ------------------         -----                 --------
(Name)                     (Area code)      (Telephone number)

      (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no,
identify report(s).

                                                                |X| Yes   |_| No



      (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

                                                                |_| Yes   |X| No

      If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.

PORTA SYSTEMS CORP.
- --------------------------------------------
(Name of registrant as specified in charter)

Has  caused  this  notification  to be signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date  March 30, 1999             By /s/  Edward B. Kornfeld
                                         -------------------------
                                         Senior Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer