How Mobile Number Portability Works

New Carrier, Same Number

Although land line phone customers might not think twice about having to change their phone numbers, this is a sensitive issue for cell phone users. In the age of two-year contracts, prepaid service and evolving cell phone technology, cell phone consumers are more likely to change carriers than numbers. To woo customers in an ever-changing landscape, cell providers are satisfying the desire to keep a familiar phone number.

Portability Rules

If you choose to change carriers but keep your current number, you must initiate service with the new carrier before discontinuing service with the old one. If you end your current service first, your phone number could be snapped up by a new account. Consult your new carrier about transferring your number because each carrier has its own set of rules.

Portability Tips

If you change carriers before the end of a two-year contract, you can still keep your number. However, you will likely have to pay a disconnection fee to your old carrier. Your new carrier might also impose a fee for portability service.

You can keep your phone number if you go from wireless to land line and vice versa.

Portability across geographic locations and area codes is not currently available.

References

• Local Number Portability