How to Switching Your Old Number to a New Cell Phone.
It is now possible to switch between U.S. cell phone
providers and keep your phone number. This process is called Wireless Number Portability.
We've made it easy to keep your number when switching. Just follow these simple
steps:
STEP 1: Submit Your Order for a New Phone and Plan
Be sure to click on the box that says "Yes! Switch
my old cell phone number to my new phone and plan." You will be asked to provide
your current wireless phone number and account number. This information can
be found on your old wireless bill, or by dialing 611 from your wireless phone.
Your order will be submitted for approval by your
new carrier. After it is approved, we will schedule your phone to be activated and
your number to be ported. In the rare event that your number cannot be ported, we
will contact you with alternative options for activating service. You should receive
your new phone prior to port completion so that service is not disrupted with your
old service provider.
STEP 2: Receive Your New Phone
Once you receive your phone, your phone number should
be ported within 24 hours. You will be provided with information to check the real-time
status of your scheduled port request.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
CANCEL SERVICE WITH YOUR CURRENT PROVIDER UNTIL AFTER YOUR WIRELESS PHONE NUMBER
HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PORTED TO YOUR NEW PROVIDER. IF YOU CANCEL SERVICE WITH YOUR
CURRENT PROVIDER BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY PORTING YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO YOUR NEW PROVIDER,
YOU MAY LOSE YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
STEP 3: Cancel Your Old Account
After your phone number is ported, you will no longer
be able to use your phone number with your old service provider. You must contact
your old service provider to cancel service. You will be responsible for payment
of all outstanding charges including any fees that may be assessed by your old service
provider for canceling service.
Q&A
Q: How can I ensure that the porting
of my number goes smoothly?
A: If the information you provide
exactly matches the information in your old carrier account, then your port should
go smoothly with no delays. When you place your order, make sure that your wireless
phone number, account number, and name exactly match the information on your last
wireless phone bill.
Q: Can I only port my number when I order a new phone?
A: No. You can initiate a number portability request at any time by filling out
a port application request with your carrier. If you are establishing a new account,
we strongly recommend porting your number now as part of your new service order.
We have more experience handling number portability requests for every major U.S.
carrier than any retailer or web site. Waiting to port your number yourself creates
work for you, and may require that you keep your old cell phone account active longer
than you might like.
Q: When should I cancel my current service?
A: You should sign up with your new wireless carrier and complete the number porting
process BEFORE canceling your current service. Canceling your current service before
the porting process is complete will cause you to lose the ability to keep your
current phone number.
Q: Can I use my current phone with my new wireless
carrier?
A: Probably not, since different wireless carriers operate incompatible network
technologies. Additionally, most cell phones are programmed to work only on the
network of the carrier that supplied the phone.
Q: Can I transfer my home phone number to my
cell phone?
A: Yes. You can transfer your home or office phone number to your cell phone, as
long as the wireless carrier you switch to provides coverage in the location of
your conventional phone line -- also called a landline or wireline.
Under FCC rules, local
phone companies are allowed up to four business days to transfer a phone number
between carriers so you may have to go several days without cell phone service if
you make such a switch.
Q: Can I keep my number if I move to another
city?
A: No, not unless you are moving within the same local geographic area where the
phone number is currently assigned. Even within the same telephone area code, you
may be outside the boundaries of the local calling area that determines if your
number is portable.
Q: What if I have a contract with my current
wireless carrier?
A: If you have a contract with your current carrier, you are required to honor the
full term of your current contract or you will be charged the termination fee that
is specified in your subscriber agreement.
Q: How long will the transfer take?
A: FCC guidelines state that the porting process should be completed within 2 hours
of scheduling. However, some wireless carriers still process a percentage of requests
manually. Because of this, some carriers warn that the process may take up to 4
days to complete. We have more experience handling number portability requests for
every major U.S. carrier than any retailer or web site, and we make every effort
to schedule your number transfer with your shipment so that it will occur within
24 hours after you receive your phone.
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