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Changing Carriers - How To Do It

Number Portability • How To Switch Carriers and Keep Your Number • AT&T Leads in Number Portability Problems • Phone Numbers Unshackled • Coming soon - portable cell phone numbers • Cell Phone Index

February 18, 2004
Want to change cell phone companies and keep your number? It's now possible, though glitches have plagued the system since late last year, when federal rules requiring so-called "number portability" went into effect.

Besides switching your cell phone and keeping the number, you can also turn off your home phone and move that number to a cell phone.

For now, portability applies only in the 100 most-populous U.S. markets. It will be extended to the rest of the country next May 24. Not sure if you're in the top 100? The FCC has a list on its Web site.

Whatever else you do, remember this: the FCC rules don't mean you can dump your existing cell phone carrier before your contract expires without paying a hefty penalty. So be sure your contract is just about up before you jump ship.

If you've decided to dump your wireline phone and transfer your number to your cell phone, it's not likely you'll encounter any contracts since service is generally month-to-month.

How To Do It
Set up your new service first. Whether you're switching cell phone carriers or moving your home number to your cell phone, start with the new carrier, the one you want to switch to. Don't cancel your existing service until you have the new service set up and working.

Have a recent bill handy. You will have to provide your name, address and account number exactly as they appear on your bill. This reduces the chance of error.

Be prepared to buy a new cell phone. Chances are you will have to get a new phone. Depending on the plan you choose, the new carrier may throw one in.

Allow for some slippage. Cell phone numbers are supposed to be switched in less than three hours but that's just a guideline. It may take longer. You will be able to make outgoing calls on your old cell phone during the transition but when the switchover happens, incoming calls will go only to your new phone.

Listen to all your voice mail messages. They will not be transferred to your new phone. Same goes for the numbers stored in your phone.

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