Cellular Number Porting

Switch your carrier, keep your number

Questions and answers on how to keep your existing cellular number when switching calling plans and carriers.

It is now possible to switch between U.S. cell phone providers and keep your phone number. This process is called Wireless Number Portability .

1. What are the steps for keeping my number when switching?
STEP 1: Submit Your Order For a New Phone and Plan
Be sure to click on the box that says "Yes! Switch my old cell phone number to my new phone and plan." You will be asked to provide your current wireless phone number and account number. This information can be found on your old wireless bill, or by dialing 611 from your wireless phone.

Your order will be submitted for approval by your new carrier. After it is approved, we will schedule your phone to be activated and your number to be ported. In the rare event that your number cannot be ported, we will contact you with alternative options for activating service. You should receive your new phone prior to port completion so that service is not disrupted with your old service provider .

STEP 2: Receive Your New Phone
Once you receive your phone, your phone number should be ported within 24 hours. You will be provided with information to check the real-time status of your scheduled port request.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT CANCEL SERVICE WITH YOUR CURRENT PROVIDER UNTIL AFTER YOUR WIRELESS PHONE NUMBER HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PORTED TO YOUR NEW PROVIDER. IF YOU CANCEL SERVICE WITH YOUR CURRENT PROVIDER BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY PORTING YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO YOUR NEW PROVIDER, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR PHONE NUMBER .

STEP 3: Cancel Your Old Account
After your phone number is ported, you will no longer be able to use your phone number with your old service provider. You must contact your old service provider to cancel service. You will be responsible for payment of all outstanding charges including any fees that may be assessed by your old service provider for canceling service.

2. How can I ensure that the porting of my number goes smoothly?
If the information you provide exactly matches the information in your old carrier account, then your port should go smoothly with no delays. When you place your order, make sure that your wireless phone number, account number, and name exactly match the information on your last wireless phone bill.

3. Can I only port my number when I order a new phone?
No. You can initiate a number portability request at any time by filling out a port application request with your carrier. If you are establishing a new account, we strongly recommend porting your number now as part of your new service order. We have more experience handling number portability requests for every major U.S. carrier than any retailer or web site. Waiting to port your number yourself creates work for you, and may require that you keep your old cell phone account active longer than you might like.

4. When should I cancel my current service?
You should sign up with your new wireless carrier and complete the number porting process BEFORE canceling your current service. Canceling your current service before the porting process is complete will cause you to lose the ability to keep your current phone number.

5. Can I use my current phone with my new wireless carrier?
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.

6. Can I transfer my home phone number to my cell phone?
Yes. You can 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 landline or wireline. Under FCC rules, local phone companies 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.

7. Can I keep my number if I move to another city?
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 number is portable.

8. What if I have a contract with my current wireless carrier?
If you have a contract with your current carrier, you are required to honor the full term of your current contract or you will be charged the termination fee that is specified in your subscriber agreement.

9. How long will the transfer take?
FCC guidelines state that the porting process should be completed within 2 hours of scheduling. However, some wireless carriers still process a percentage of requests manually. Because of this, some carriers warn that the process may take up to 4 days to complete. We have more experience handling number portability requests for every major U.S. carrier than any retailer or web site, and we make every effort to schedule your number transfer with your shipment so that it will occur within 24 hours after you receive your phone.