Carrier switching, number transportability, etc...

[paulyras]

Hi all,

I'm on T-Mobile currently, and have every intention of switching on the 29th. I have a few questions though, and would love others experiences. I'm sure others will have other questions, especially regarding switching and getting out of contracts from other carriers. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here's my big questions.

1. Do I need to cancel with T-Mo first, or will the transferring of my number give them the hint??

2. On the topic of number transportability, I still have a DC number despite living in MN for the last few years. Everyone I know has the DC number, so I REALLY don't want to switch. Will this be a problem if I walk in to a MN store, and want to transfer an out of town number?

3. Any suggestions on getting out of contracts cheaply / free?

 

[/dev/toaster]

Hi all,

I'm on T-Mobile currently, and have every intention of switching on the 29th. I have a few questions though, and would love others experiences. I'm sure others will have other questions, especially regarding switching and getting out of contracts from other carriers. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here's my big questions.

1. Do I need to cancel with T-Mo first, or will the transferring of my number give them the hint??

2. On the topic of number transportability, I still have a DC number despite living in MN for the last few years. Everyone I know has the DC number, so I REALLY don't want to switch. Will this be a problem if I walk in to a MN store, and want to transfer an out of town number?

3. Any suggestions on getting out of contracts cheaply / free?

This is going to be my 4th number port, they are rather painless.

1) Don't cancel with t-mobile, or you will lose the number. When you sign up for new service, tell the new carrier your number and that you want to port it. They do the rest, including canceling your account with them. I recommend calling them after the fact to make sure their systems reflect the proper changes. I had this problem once, Nextel quickly cleaned it up for me when they realized it.
2) Some stores won't do it for you, you will need to go to a corporate store. If you have a problem, just use an address in your old state. (Even if you don't live their anymore). After you sign up for service, get your number ported, call them to change your address. Make sure you inform them you do not want to change numbers. I am going to be doing this when the iPhone is released, I live in California now ... moved from New Jersey a few months ago.
3) I am not going to comment on this. I personally think that if you signed an agreement you should hold up your end of the bargain. BTW, T-Mobile will typically let you buy out up to 2 months of your contract if you are very polite and ask in the right way. You don't get hit with the $200 cancelation fee but you pay for 2 months of services at the end. Depending on your plan, it would be either cheaper or more expensive. For me, it would be cheaper to cancel the contract. (Bill is at $250 / month)

 

[paulyras]

This is going to be my 4th number port, they are rather painless.


3) I am not going to comment on this. I personally think that if you signed an agreement you should hold up your end of the bargain. BTW, T-Mobile will typically let you buy out up to 2 months of your contract if you are very polite and ask in the right way. You don't get hit with the $200 cancelation fee but you pay for 2 months of services at the end. Depending on your plan, it would be either cheaper or more expensive. For me, it would be cheaper to cancel the contract. (Bill is at $250 / month)

I totally understand your point, and thinking about it a little more, I should have put a disclaimer on it. My goal isn't really to cheat T-Mo (though, in retrospect, it does kind of sound that way). They have been a very good carrier, and have been very accommodating of requests to unlock phones, are have very good support etc...

That said, I have heard of people that have found legitimate loopholes in the contracts where one has the right to walk away, but I don't know the details. I don't have any plans to run up tons of off-network minutes, or send 5000 text messages a day to get them to want me to go away, but if there are legitimate clauses, I would like to know.

Thanks for the feedback.

Paul

 

[kevinwiz]

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/

 

[hatcher146]

1) Don't cancel with t-mobile, or you will lose the number. When you sign up for new service, tell the new carrier your number and that you want to port it. They do the rest, including canceling your account with them. I recommend calling them after the fact to make sure their systems reflect the proper changes. I had this problem once, Nextel quickly cleaned it up for me when they realized it.

sooo...if i go to at&t and they switch over....i will not have to pay a early termination fee since my contracts up....is there any other fees that i will have to pay? (sry if this is a dumb question) i just gotta know.