How do I switch cell phone providers?

Question

I am willing to pay the cancellation fee if necessary, but can someone walk me through the process. Should I sign up with the new carrier, before canceling with my current? I want to make sure I can transfer my number, but not sure how to do this. I also want to make sure I limit my cell phone disruption, since it is my home phone too. I am hoping someone has gone through this process and can provide insight.

Answer 1

Jeff,
If you want to keep the number you have, you need to find a new carrier aka phone company that you want to use FIRST and tell them you want to sign up for their service, and that you want to "port" (industry term that means to move your phone number from one carrier to a new carrier) or bring your phone number with you. That new carrier you signed up with, will then contact your old carrier to get your phone number released and put it onto their network and your new phone that you will have to get from the new carrier. DO NOT call your current carrier and tell them you want to cancel, if you do, they will shut your phone down, and you won't be able to take your phone number with you to the new carrier. It usually only take a couple of days for the new carrier to port your number over, they will let you know when it has been completed. For a port to work- the number has to stay active, that is why you don't want to cancel first. Once it's been completed then you can call your old carrier and settle up the on what you owe them for a final bill. No phone company can stop you from taking your number to any other company, The supreme Courts made a law that allows customers to take their numbers with them. And you shouldn't have any disruption of service at all.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

To port your number to a new cell phone carrier, you first need to contact the new cell phone company you want to get service with. Visit their retail store and tell the person you want to port your cell phone number to theirs.

In the meantime do not call or tell your old cell phone company you will be moving to your cell phone number to another carrier. The new cell phone carrier will port your phone number from your old cell phone company and they will automatically closed your account for you. Porting your cell phone number to another company takes usually around 24 hours with the new cell phone company

Of course once your account with your old cell phone company is cancel, they will send you a final bill with a termination fee if your contract with them has not ended yet.