Carrier:Is porting IP/AW always 1st/5th circles of Hell?

[jbizzybeetle]

Anyone else alternated between Limbo and Anger trying to port iPhone and AW at same time from one carrier to another? Wish I had never started the process 3 days ago, just enjoyed my iPX simfree on AT&T.

Verizon update: "We are having a number of problems connecting the Watch." Now, I'm part of a "ticket" going to engineering staff. Will take at least 2-4 days, CSR assures me it will get fixed.

All rooted in effort to port iPX & AW from AT&T to Verizon. The iPX was finally handled, but the Apple Watch S3 LTE remains in Limbo. Verizon techs kept/keep trying to argue "profile," which I had already handled by first removing the cell plan from the watch, then unpairing, resetting, and repairing the AW with the iPX after activating the new Verizon sim associated with the main cell number. I confirmed this last time Verizon sent me back to Apple.

Have also confirmed through AT&T they have no continuing hold on the IPX/AW numberSync, it was successfully ported, as was the main cell phone number.

Basically, the AW App on phone "Cellular" tap first shows "Verizon Plan Loading," then reverts to "Set Up Cellular." Tap can get you to "Sign In Mobile" and various steps may or may not show up as I've tried several times. Ultimately, all scenarios lead to some version of "Can't do it." "Call 8##-922-0204."

Maybe it's just the Stages of Grief, and I have reached "Acceptance." Today may be spent watching "All That Jazz," but must buy wine first.

TLDR: first round of nonsense was Verizon sent me two sim cards, one was NFC.
Oh, and on another topic, I personally with my Verizon Phone Number can't enter IUP program on Verizon through Apple Store purchase online, I (YMMV) have to go to Apple Store--unless of course--and this is actually printed on the Apple Page-- "The Apple Store has no iPX Verizon units and if that is the case, Apple will simply remove your purchase from your bag." //great// as the process had already revealed PICKUP NOT AVAILABLE.

 

[bradbomb]

Anyone else alternated between Limbo and Anger trying to port iPhone and AW at same time from one carrier to another? Wish I had never started the process 3 days ago, just enjoyed my iPX simfree on AT&T.

Verizon update: "We are having a number of problems connecting the Watch." Now, I'm part of a "ticket" going to engineering staff. Will take at least 2-4 days, CSR assures me it will get fixed.

All rooted in effort to port iPX & AW from AT&T to Verizon. The iPX was finally handled, but the Apple Watch S3 LTE remains in Limbo. Verizon techs kept/keep trying to argue "profile," which I had already handled by first removing the cell plan from the watch, then unpairing, resetting, and repairing the AW with the iPX after activating the new Verizon sim associated with the main cell number. I confirmed this last time Verizon sent me back to Apple.

Have also confirmed through AT&T they have no continuing hold on the IPX/AW numberSync, it was successfully ported, as was the main cell phone number.

Basically, the AW App on phone "Cellular" tap first shows "Verizon Plan Loading," then reverts to "Set Up Cellular." Tap can get you to "Sign In Mobile" and various steps may or may not show up as I've tried several times. Ultimately, all scenarios lead to some version of "Can't do it." "Call 8##-922-0204."

Maybe it's just the Stages of Grief, and I have reached "Acceptance." Today may be spent watching "All That Jazz," but must buy wine first.

TLDR: first round of nonsense was Verizon sent me two sim cards, one was NFC.
Oh, and on another topic, I personally with my Verizon Phone Number can't enter IUP program on Verizon through Apple Store purchase online, I (YMMV) have to go to Apple Store--unless of course--and this is actually printed on the Apple Page-- "The Apple Store has no iPX Verizon units and if that is the case, Apple will simply remove your purchase from your bag." //great// as the process had already revealed PICKUP NOT AVAILABLE.

I'm still confused and curious, the port over should have only been the iPhone number. Before you ported over, you should have (which I think you did) removed the Apple Watch from Cellular and cancelled the plan through the app and then also did that with AT&T. The watch should now have no plan or anything attached and the eSIM should be free to reactivate. If you have problems adding to Verizon, they may need the EID number for the Apple Watch. Back at the beginning, at least thru AT&T, people had issues activating thru the Watch App until they contacted AT&T and added the watch plan to the EID number and then activation worked thru the app

 

[jbizzybeetle]

Neither Verizon nor Apple thinks the EID number is what Verizon needs. I cannot convince them otherwise.

 

[bradbomb]

Neither Verizon nor Apple thinks the EID number is what Verizon needs. I cannot convince them otherwise.

That's very strange. That was what was needed for AT&T when @dave006 was helping everyone on the other thread getting them activated. Maybe he might have some insight since this is coming off of AT&T

 

[jbizzybeetle]

Yes, I remember Dave's counsel when we were all in that Sept. 22 new AW launch/version of Dante's Inferno. The smoke from this one is settling after four days of talking to five very nice Verizon people.

Verizon did pull it off from the AW based on IMEI alone -- from me, at least. The IMEI, EID, ICCID, etc., all the other tiny numbers appeared on "About" AW as part of the Verizon cellular plan (finally) loading on my iPX this morning. Service seems to be coming onto the watch in a reasonable manner when moving away from the iPX.

Anecdotally: The independent S3 LTE service may have been somewhat more stable on AT&T LTE cellular plan than it seems with Verizon. I can't quantify that. The last CSR said to send in the info when service fails, as to location, etc. Just in case it reflects a need for attention. Nice thought.

The good news is the cellular plan is working on phone and watch, and I got some goodies from promotions I gleaned from the website and got the last CSR to apply: $100 gift card to come within two months for porting over my device; 5gb New Verizon Single Phone plan for $55 with one discount included ($5 for autopay/paperless billing--This plan is usually $80); and another $5 or so (15% off $35 data plan) employee discount from employer being on Verizon. The standard $10/month break on the AW access fee for 3 months will soften the transition blow. Amazingly, taxes and fees combine for additional $16/month. Crazy amount of money, really, more than $2/day.

The one thing I really liked about the Verizon sign-up experience is the company cell phone numbers and email addresses the reps all gave me to contact them individually as things progressed.

 

[dave006]

Hey @bradbomb nothing for AT&T to do in this case, they are completely out of the picture at this point.
It is also not an issue that Apple can address other than exchanging the watch to force a new EID to be used by Verizon to activate the watch and provision the eSIM correctly.

It is a issue for Verizon to resolve.

The most likely issue is that there are multiple activation's pending in the Verizon infrastructure which has "multiple" eSIM(s) stuck in the Verizon workflow trying to connect to the iPhone Watch app to provision the watch's eSIM with the generated ICCID information that would normally be on a real SIM.

The second most likely issue would be with the Verizon billing account or data plan type is not compatible with the self-activation process using the Watch app on the host iPhone. It would be very helpful to know more details from @jbizzybeetle new Verizon account type and data plan(s) that Verizon's NumberShare will need. For example is it as customer or business account and what type of data plan do you have?

Finally, it was not very clear from @jbizzybeetle if they actually tried to actually port the watch's phone number from AT&T. That is not needed, required, and can cause issues within the receiving carrier's system.

Dave

 

[jbizzybeetle]

Hey @bradbomb nothing for AT&T to do in this case, they are completely out of the picture at this point.
It is also not an issue that Apple can address other than exchanging the watch to force a new EID to be used by Verizon to activate the watch and provision the eSIM correctly.

It is a issue for Verizon to resolve.

The most likely issue is that there are multiple activation's pending in the Verizon infrastructure which has "multiple" eSIM(s) stuck in the Verizon workflow trying to connect to the iPhone Watch app to provision the watch's eSIM with the generated ICCID information that would normally be on a real SIM.

The second most likely issue would be with the Verizon billing account or data plan type is not compatible with the self-activation process using the Watch app on the host iPhone. It would be very helpful to know more details from @jbizzybeetle new Verizon account type and data plan(s) that Verizon's NumberShare will need. For example is it as customer or business account and what type of data plan do you have?

Finally, it was not very clear from @jbizzybeetle if they actually tried to actually port the watch's phone number from AT&T. That is not needed, required, and can cause issues within the receiving carrier's system.

Dave

to try to clarify:
1. Verizon said they have before forced a porting client to trade in their "AT&T watch" and buy a "Verizon Watch." Apple said I did not need to do this so I stood pat.
2. My new Verizon Account type--personal, not business. originally they set up a 2gb plan for $55 that I don't have the name and details for because I didn't want that from day one, but the first CSR was off and running, delivering next day sim cards--yes, two--one for the phone and one with NFC for the watch. Let's not go in the weeds on that one. I figured that part out.
3. Yes, they did port the AW number, which I began to realize wasn't needed and was a mistake--definitely Verizon realized this too and rescinded the charge for the second porting fee. Lesson learned-- port only the main number and ask Verizon to set up a NumberShare number/account for the AW.

I am very glad I started and resolved all this before the Christmas rush.