Guide to Wireless Number Portability

Wireless number portability allows a person to keep the phone number that they have been using when they switch service plans or even service plan providers. This gives people the freedom to switch carriers without the hassle of switching phone numbers.

There are many reasons for a person to want to keep their wireless phone number when they switch providers. The convenience of wireless number portability means that if a customer decides to switch carriers they do not have to worry about informing their friends, business contacts, or family members that they have a new phone number.

With wireless number portability, a person will never worry about missing calls from contacts that didn’t receive their new number. Wireless companies don’t offer a forwarding number the same way that landline phone service providers do. When someone calls a cell phone that is no longer in use, they don’t get a message telling them the person’s new number. People that use their cell phones exclusively for business will not have to go to the expense or hassle of designing and purchasing new stationary or business cards just because they have decided to change wireless phone companies. Many businesses have special numbers that spell a word or are easy to remember and wireless number portability allows them to keep that number.

There are a lot of reasons to keep your old cell phone number when you switch wireless plans, but there are some things you should remember if you want to keep your old number.

If you are planning to switch carriers and you want to keep your old phone number, the most important thing to remember is not to cancel your old plan until you have set up the new plan. Once you cancel your service, the number is no longer available to you. That means you can’t cancel your service, start a new plan a week later and request the same number.

If you are planning to port your number to a new carrier the best time to do it is when your contract with your current provider has run out. If you switch to another wireless service provider before your contract runs out you will most likely have to pay a termination fee. Even though you are keeping the same number, you are switching carriers and your old provider will hold you to the terms of the contract you signed. To avoid cancellation fees, wait until the contract is up and then switch carriers, taking your old number with you.

Once you have decided on a new carrier, carefully check and recheck the information from your old wireless account. If you want the transaction to go smoothly, it is important the information you give to your new carrier is exactly the same as the information you gave to your old carrier. Even something as trivial as a missing middle initial can cause a glitch in the transfer process.

When you switch service providers, you will probably have to get a new phone. Most phones from one provider are not compatible with other service providers. Even if the phone you currently own is compatible with another company, chances are it is at least a year or two old and in the ever changing world of cell phone technology that is practically obsolete. Most cell phone service providers offer fantastic incentive deals on phones to new customers, so when you switch providers, it is a great time to take advantage of those incentives and get a great new phone.

Porting your old number to a new phone can take time. Some companies can get your number ported to your new phone in a matter of hours, but sometimes it can take a few days. If you are planning to switch carriers and keep your phone number, be prepared to not use your phone for a day or two if your company is unable to make an immediate switch. You should also be prepared to pay transfer fees. Wireless companies are allowed to charge transfer fees as long as they do not exceed the actual costs to transfer your number.

A wireless company cannot hold your old number hostage. If you aren’t current on your bill or you don’t pay the termination fees, they can’t keep your phone number from you, but if you aren’t paying your cell phone bill, it will be hard to find a new provider that will offer you a contract.

Once you switch to a new wireless company, you always have the option to switch somewhere else and take your number with you. Before you sign a contract, make sure that the company you are switching to, has a trial period so that if you aren’t happy with their service you can take your number to a new carrier without having to wait until your contract expires. With wireless number portability, you can switch companies without fear of losing your phone number.