Cell Phone Numbers Unshackled

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

November 24, 2003
A federal appeals court has cleared the way for consumers to transfer home phone numbers to cell phones beginning today (Monday). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied the United States Telecom Association's request to block the rule from taking effect.

Although the court did agree to hear the association's lawsuit, it refused to stop the rule from going into effect. This is also the day that cell phone companies must let customers take their numbers with them when they switch carriers.

Both rules will initially apply 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.

The rules imposed by the Federal Communications Commission are intended to create more competition and there's little doubt they'll do that. They're also likely to create quite a bit of initial confusion as companies roll out extensive ad campaigns to poach each other's customers.

Wise consumers will bide their time, however. For one thing, technical glitches are almost a certainty in the early days of the program and the promotions and deals won't be going away anytime soon. In fact, carriers will be sweetening the pot for existing customers, trying to hang onto as much market share as possible.

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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