Can you switch carriers but still keep your cell phone number? |
Yes you can switch carriers and keep your no. if you give the provider you're switching to your PAC code to get this simply contact your current carrier!!! (That's the story here in Britain anyway)
Now look at the previous answer...
Answer
If you needed to do this before 2004 then the answer would have been �no� but as of May 24, 2004 this has become a possibility. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has passed a mandate which requires all cell phone carriers to allow Wireless Local Number Portability, which essentially is a service whereby cell phone users get to keep their existing cell phone numbers while switching to another service provider.
Earlier when cell phone users wanted to change their carrier, just the thought of giving the new cell phone number to all their family and acquaintances was enough to dissuade them from doing so, even if they were unhappy with the services of their existing carrier. But with the Number Portability rule coming into effect, service providers are now obligated to let subscribers leave with their cell phone numbers thus making it possible to switch to new carriers (which was also possible before Number Portability provided a user did not mind changing his cell phone number).
Number Portability has come as a boon for people who wanted to change their cell phone carriers for various reasons such as lower rates, better coverage area of the new carrier, and unsatisfactory service provided by their existing carrier. On the flip side, it is definitely not good news for service providers as it has increased competition in an already heavily competitive market. Now they not only have to come up with new ways to attract customers, but also have to worry about keeping the existing ones. Alarmed by this scenario, companies are starting to adjust and alter their ways of conducting business. Some have lowered their rates; some have completely revamped their service departments; while some have announced new schemes like family share plans, in a bid to keep subscribers from switching to different carriers.
On the whole Number Portability seems like good news for cell phone users, but it does come at a price. Cell phone carriers have already started charging an extra fee so as to �cover� expenses related to developing technology to make number portability available. You might also be required to pay certain charges such as early cancellation fees to your existing carrier if your contract has not expired.
Number Portability has hence proved useful for people wanting to switch carriers and keep their cell number, but has placed an additional burden on people not looking to do the same.
Answer
One main thing to keep in mind is the L in WLNP. Wireless LOCAL Number Portability. You have to be switching from one carrier in your LOCAL area to another carrier in your LOCAL area. Say if you move from Maine to Florida. You cannot keep your same number. If you move from NYC to upstate NY - you cannot keep your same number. It must be the same local area. This is the part of WLNP that was never explained correctly when they changed this rule. There should have been more of an emphasis on the local part when they were promoting it.
Answer
Please know that to keep your number while switching carriers you must not discontinue your service with the carrier until the switch has been made by the carrier you are switching toooo!!!if you discontinue the service, you are feed. and yes, you can switch carriers and change your number.
First answer by ID3400636332. Last edit by H.D.W200. Contributor trust: 5 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 135 [recommend question].
 | Can you keep your cell phone when you switch carriers? Not usually. You can keep your number now, but there are often compatibility issues with phones from different carriers. Even if your phone does seem to work, to reduce customer service headaches,... |
| Can you keep your cell phone but switch companies? That depends. If you are switching between a GSM and CDMA network, it will not be possible. If you are switching from a GSM to another GSM carrier, or from a CDMA to another CDMA carrier, it will be... |
| Can you switch phones and keep same number? Should have no problem. There is so much competition now, many carriers offer that to entice you to make the switch. |
| How do you switch your number to a different cell phone? To switch your number to a different cell phone, you have two options if it's the same carrier. 1.) Call the carrier and request they switch services to your new phone. Behind your battery pack on... |
| Can you keep your land phone line number if you get a cell phone? Yes you can. Your phone line has nothing too do with your cell phone. In fact, for most people your phone line carrier is completely different from your cell phone carrier.And you phone line has... |
Click to Play
Click to Play
Click to Play
Click to Play
Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from ) |
| If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates. |
