| What is WLNP / Wireless
Local Number Portability ? |
Wireless
Local Number Portability, or WLNP, is the ability
to transfer your existing wireless phone number from one carrier
to another within the same geographic area. |
|
| Where is WLNP available? |
WLNP is available
in all of the United States. It was rolled out to wireless
consumers in two phases in the 100 largest metropolitan areas
on November 24, 2003, and to the rest of the country on May
24, 2004.
Please keep in mind that portability is local, which means
your number can be transferred only within the same area in
which it was activated. |
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|
| How long will it take to port my wireless
phone number? |
| The time taken to change wireless carriers and
take your phone number with you will vary according to the carriers
in question. The porting can take anything from a few hours
upwards, and can even take days in the case of some carriers.
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|
| Can I port a disconnected number?
|
| No. A number that needs
to be ported must be active to be able to switch carriers.
To port a number successfully, you must sign up with your
new wireless carrier and complete the number porting process
without canceling your current service. The request to transfer
your number should automatically cancel your previous service
once the transfer is complete.
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|
| Can I port my number if I have an active
contract with a carrier? |
| Yes, you can switch your
carrier even if you have an active contract. However, you
are advised to check if any early termination fees apply when
you plan to switch, as you will be required to honor the terms
of your existing contract with any carrier. |
| |
|
| How can I port my number to another wireless
carrier? |
4-cell-phones.com,
as an authorized dealer of various carriers, can assist you
to port your existing number to another wireless carrier.
You would be required to give us account information from
your current wireless bill to make the process a smooth one.
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| Will I experience any service outages
while my number is being ported? |
You may experience a decrease
in the level of service quality, including the inability to
make or receive calls from one or both phones during the porting
process. You should be able to dial 911 for emergencies in
all instances, and you are advised to stay on the line or
call back till any emergency call made by you is acknowledged.
You may also experience a gap between the deactivation of
service on your old phone, and the activation of service on
the new one. |
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| Can I still use the same device after
I port my number? |
| You would probably need to switch devices if you
switch carriers for two reasons: |
| |
i) |
wireless carriers in the United States
use different technology standards. |
| |
ii) |
most cell phones are programmed to work only
on the network of the carrier that supplied the phone. |
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| Can I transfer my home or office phone
telephone number to a cell phone? |
Yes, you can transfer your
home or office phone number to your cell phone if the wireless
carrier you switch to provides coverage in the location of
your conventional phone line. Porting a wire line number to
a wireless number could take longer than a wireless to wireless
port. |
Current AT&T and Cingular Wireless Customers qualify for
the new 
