How exactly do I transfer my wireless number to another carrier?

Question

For coverage reasons, I'm switching from Cingular to Nextel. My Cingular plan is up in March, and I'm looking to start with Nextel ASAP. How do I ensure that my current wireless number goes with me? Do I have to wait until my contract with Cingular expires, or can I do it a month early? Thanks.

Very helpful so far. If I have to port my number to a new carrier *while* the number is still active with my old carrier, does that amount to a cancellation? How can I have my number active at two carriers at once?

Answer 1

If you transfer a month before your contract is over you might have to pay an Early Cancellation Fee, call and ask them if it you can cancel your contract with them a month early with no fee since you are moving and wont have coverage. Anyways, to port your number your current carrier service must still be activated, if you are buying on line there should be an option to transfer you number to their service, if you are buying it at a store just inform them. The key to porting your number is to still have the other service (in your case, Cingular) active when porting your number to Nextel. Hope this helps, have any more questions just ask.

Answer 2

What your going to want to tell the Nextel guy is that you want a temporary number until your number is eligible for port.

Ask him to give you a local number so that you have a working device and when your contract is up with Cingular call Nextel and tell them you want to port your number from Cingular to Nextel.

You will need the following:

Your phone number (obviously)
Your account number
Your name as it reads on the bill
Your social must match whats in Cingular's System
(If the name is diffrent let them know that from the begining or else your port wont go through and you will be in what we call "limbo" until its cleared)

Thats pretty much it.

You shouldnt have any problems and good luck!

Answer 3

the people at the nextel store might be able to run it through the computer and get your number transfered.