Wireless Number Portability - Keep Your Existing Number

You can now take your existing Prepaid Cellular phone number when you switch carriers for better service. Below are the most frequently asked questions about the new Free Transfer Rule for Cellular Phone Numbers and planning tips.

What is the new law allowing number transfers?
What customers can keep their wireless numbers?
Can I use my current phone with my new wireless carrier?
Can I transfer my home phone phone number to my cellphone?
Can I keep my number if I move to another city?
What if I am still under contract with my current cellphone carrier?
When should I cancel my current service?
How long will the transfer take?
Will I get charged for transferring my number?
What tools will expedite the number transfer process?
How do I file a complaint?

Q: What is the new law allowing number transfers?
A: Today, when customers of one wireless phone company -- also known as a "carrier" -- switch service providers, they have to change their cell phone number as well. Under a new federal mandate known as Wireless Local Number Portability (WLNP), customers will now be allowed to transfer their current cell phone number when changing wireless carriers.

Q: What customers can keep their wireless numbers?
A: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that WLNP goes into effect in two stages. Number transfers are available NOW in the 100 largest metropolitan areas of the United States and Puerto Rico initially. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 1990 and 2000 census reports, the markets affected cover almost 70% of the United States population. The remaining 30% of the country will be eligible for WLNP by May 24, 2004. To determine if your number is currently transferable, use this Wireless Adviser zip code tool to check if your city is in the top 100 metro areas.

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 telephone number to my cell phone?
A: Yes. You can "cut the cord" and 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 land line or wireless. Under FCC rules, local phone companies, known as wireless carriers, 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. The FCC is studying the transfer interval for wireless carriers to determine if it should be shorter. (See How long will the transfer take?)

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 cell phone number is transferable.

Q: What if I am still under contract with my current wireless carrier?
A: You are required to honor the full term of your current contract or you will be charged a termination fee that is specified in your subscriber agreement

Q: When should I cancel my current service?
A: You should sign up with your new wireless carrier and complete the number transfer process without canceling your current service. Canceling your current service before the transfer process is complete will cause you to lose the ability to keep your current phone number. Requesting a number transfer to a new carrier should automatically cancel your previous service, once the transfer is complete. You will need to carry your old and new phones until the transfer is complete, the old phone for receiving calls, the new phone for making calls. In an emergency, we recommend that you place calls to 911 from your old hand set as Emergency Services will not be able to call you back on your new hand set until the transfer is complete. Also, although both old and new carriers will bill for calls, customers will not be billed twice for the same phone call.

Q: How long will the transfer take?
A: The FCC has provided the telecommunications industry with guidelines stating that the transfer process should be completed within 2 _ hours. That said, wireless carriers expect up to 80% of the number transfer requests will not be processed automatically, requiring some manual intervention on their part. Because of potential glitches, the number transfer process may take up to 4 days to complete, some carriers warn. Currently, AT&T has been reported as the carrier that has the most problem in transfer process to other carriers.

Q: Will I get charged for transferring my number?
A: It may depend on the carrier you're leaving, since several have not finalized or disclosed the specific policies and procedures they will implement to comply with the WLNP requirement. Verizon Wireless and others have announced their intention not to impose a specific fee for transferring a number to another carrier. But under FCC rules, carriers are permitted to "recover" from subscribers costs directly associated with offering number transfers. The extent of those costs is still being debated within the industry.

Q: What tools will expedite the transfer process?
A: To streamline the number transfer process, your new carrier will need to know specific information about your existing account. So, for convenience, have your most recent monthly bill when you go to transfer your phone number. If you don't have a copy of the bill, be sure you bring the exact details of your account, such as:

Q: How do I file a complaint?
A: If you have trouble with a carrier during the transfer process that is not resolved within a few weeks, you can file a complaint directly with the Federal Communications Commission online using the general complaint Form 475.