Will AT&T port a number after activation?

[Betelgeuse]

Thanks for all the solid information saDeRmac. It's very very helpful.

My plan is to pre-order from Apple, then take it into a COR store over the weekend to get the number ported. Seems like a certain way to make sure I get a phone on the 19th. Besides, my wife is the account holder of the number I want to port and I think it will be simpler to port afterwards.

Any holes in my plan??

That's exactly my plan, too. From what saDeRmac said, I don't anticipate any problems.

Although, the stuff on AT&T's site makes me wonder if I'll actually get the phone by the 19th. I can't tell if it's standard "cover your ass" language or if it's actually likely that some people won't get their phones before that next Monday. Anyway, it's not super-important for me to have it on launch day; the main reason I pre-ordered was in case the Bing deal disappeared.

 

[MurphyM]

That's exactly my plan, too. From what saDeRmac said, I don't anticipate any problems.

Although, the stuff on AT&T's site makes me wonder if I'll actually get the phone by the 19th. I can't tell if it's standard "cover your ass" language or if it's actually likely that some people won't get their phones before that next Monday. Anyway, it's not super-important for me to have it on launch day; the main reason I pre-ordered was in case the Bing deal disappeared.

I just ordered it from the Apple Online Store. It said all over the process that I'll have it on the 19th. They use FedEx. I've ordered iPods in the past and had them shipped straight from China. My money says it'll be here on the 19th.

Good luck !

 

[Betelgeuse]

I just ordered it from the Apple Online Store. It said all over the process that I'll have it on the 19th. They use FedEx. I've ordered iPods in the past and had them shipped straight from China. My money says it'll be here on the 19th.

Good luck !

Yeah; I went through AT&T, who I get the sense doesn't care nearly as much as Apple about delivering it on the release date. Anyway, as long as the porting process goes smoothly, I'm OK with not getting it for a day or two after the release.

EDIT: Actually, if you're ordering through Apple, is there even the option of porting when you pre-ordered it? I wonder if you don't even need to worry about this since you'll just be able to port it when you activate it?

 

[cparktd]

Port Dept number

Local ATT store told me they could not port after normal business hours as the Port Dept. doesn't work 24-7. Then gave me the number so I could call myself. Haven't done so yet, I just loaned my Verizion phone out temporally to someone in need. The number they gave me is.....
1 888 898 7685.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Local ATT store told me they could not port after normal business hours as the Port Dept. doesn't work 24-7. Then gave me the number so I could call myself. Haven't done so yet, I just loaned my Verizion phone out temporally to someone in need. The number they gave me is.....
1 888 898 7685.

Cool. Thanks for that. I still think I'm going to go into the actual store. I generally like doing stuff online (I'm a hermit, what can I say?), but for something like this, I feel like I am more likely to be taken seriously if I'm standing there.

 

[saDeRmac]

Cool. Thanks for that. I still think I'm going to go into the actual store. I generally like doing stuff online (I'm a hermit, what can I say?), but for something like this, I feel like I am more likely to be taken seriously if I'm standing there.

Yes. A COR store rep can help you call and fix any problems that arise quickly (most of the time). Also ports tend to take less time in store.

 

[MurphyM]

Yeah; I went through AT&T, who I get the sense doesn't care nearly as much as Apple about delivering it on the release date. Anyway, as long as the porting process goes smoothly, I'm OK with not getting it for a day or two after the release.

EDIT: Actually, if you're ordering through Apple, is there even the option of porting when you pre-ordered it? I wonder if you don't even need to worry about this since you'll just be able to port it when you activate it?

Hey Betelgeuse -

On the Apple site there was a question about porting a number. I answered NO because I didn't want anything to mess up my order. So since I didn't click it I don't know what happens: I doubt it stops the ordering process because it seemed like the screening questions were on the first page of the process.

The fanboy in me is impressed that Apple ships for delivery on launch day. Can't say they're not in touch with the fanatic user base on that one.

 

[yg17]

Yes, they'll do it. I've done it before with 3 new lines on a family plan, I purchased the phones as gifts for my parents and brother with new numbers and gave the phones to them and when their T-Mobile contract expired a few days later, AT&T ported over their numbers. No fees and no hassle. Took about 10 minutes.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Hey Betelgeuse -

On the Apple site there was a question about porting a number. I answered NO because I didn't want anything to mess up my order. So since I didn't click it I don't know what happens: I doubt it stops the ordering process because it seemed like the screening questions were on the first page of the process.

The fanboy in me is impressed that Apple ships for delivery on launch day. Can't say they're not in touch with the fanatic user base on that one.

Ah. OK. I guess we'll both be doing the "post-porting" thing.

It is pretty cool that Apple ships for launch day; we'll see if AT&T does the same. As I said, I think AT&T is less concerned about the "fanboy" population than Apple is. The funny thing is that I'm pretty much as far from a fanboy as possible. I've mercilessly mocked my friends (all in good humor of course) who buy Apple products. Between this iPhone and the MBP I'm going to order soon, I'm going to catch a lot of hell over the next couple months.

Yes, they'll do it. I've done it before with 3 new lines on a family plan, I purchased the phones as gifts for my parents and brother with new numbers and gave the phones to them and when their T-Mobile contract expired a few days later, AT&T ported over their numbers. No fees and no hassle. Took about 10 minutes.

Awesome. Great to hear that "easy porting" is both the official policy and that multiple people have had no problems doing it.

 

[Lou142]

Question

If I choose to receive a new number with my new phone, and want to port my existing phone number over from Verizon, there's not problem - I understand this part.

What happens, though, if upon receiving your phone with the new number, calls are made using that new number and I want to port my verizon number after making those calls (in effect starting my contract with ATT with the new ATT issued number). Does this cause a problem?

 

[yg17]

If I choose to receive a new number with my new phone, and want to port my existing phone number over from Verizon, there's not problem - I understand this part.

What happens, though, if upon receiving your phone with the new number, calls are made using that new number and I want to port my verizon number after making those calls (in effect starting my contract with ATT with the new ATT issued number). Does this cause a problem?

No, no problems. The AT&T issued number will be deactivated and replaced with your ported Verizon number, so don't give that AT&T number to anyone

 

[Lou142]

My apologies

No, no problems. The AT&T issued number will be deactivated and replaced with your ported Verizon number, so don't give that AT&T number to anyone

I apologize for my miscommunication. What I meant by my post was - what if I (personally) make calls using the new phone number issued to me by ATT - and then port my Verizon number over? I have a verizon line now, and had thought about keeping the iphone, trying it out, and keeping it if I liked it (doing all of this without disconnecting my current number with verizon). I guess I was thinking that this was playing it safe to some degree - might be wrong. Any thoughts?

 

[yg17]

I apologize for my miscommunication. What I meant by my post was - what if I (personally) make calls using the new phone number issued to me by ATT - and then port my Verizon number over? I have a verizon line now, and had thought about keeping the iphone, trying it out, and keeping it if I liked it (doing all of this without disconnecting my current number with verizon). I guess I was thinking that this was playing it safe to some degree - might be wrong. Any thoughts?

Yeah, that's what I meant. You can make and receive calls with the AT&T number before you port in your Verizon one. Once you port, you will lose the AT&T number so don't give it out to anyone.

 

[Lou142]

Thank you

Yeah, that's what I meant. You can make and receive calls with the AT&T number before you port in your Verizon one. Once you port, you will lose the AT&T number so don't give it out to anyone.

Ok, sorry, my misunderstanding. Thank you for the information. I guess whatever calls you make get added on the bill that comes after you port your phone number over.

Thanks again.

 

[yg17]

Ok, sorry, my misunderstanding. Thank you for the information. I guess whatever calls you make get added on the bill that comes after you port your phone number over.

Thanks again.

Nothing with your bill changes when you port a number. Any calls you make before or after the port will all be on your bill as if the port never happened.

 

[JusChexin]

Local Port Eligibility?

I preordered the iPhone 3GS for delivery on June 19 and anxiously awaiting its arrival as it will be my first iPhone. I'm coming off of Verizon and I'd like to take my number with me, however when I signed up to order the iPhone, I put that I'd be using a new number. I read this thread to answer the question that I should still theoretically be able to port over my existing number whether I activate with the new number I'm given when I activate or not, however...

I went to AT&T's website to check if my number could be ported and it seems there is a problem. I am from NY state and I'm going to school in FL now. When I check the number to be ported (NY area code) and put the zip code where it will primarily be used (FL zip), it says I can't port the number. If I put NY as the zip code it says it can be ported. So -- what do I do? I'd like to keep my NY number as I've had it for 5+ years and my permanent address is technically still at my family's home in NY, however I'm spending the vast time of the year in FL. Any solution to this problem? Thanks for any advice in advance

 

[yg17]

I preordered the iPhone 3GS for delivery on June 19 and anxiously awaiting its arrival as it will be my first iPhone. I'm coming off of Verizon and I'd like to take my number with me, however when I signed up to order the iPhone, I put that I'd be using a new number. I read this thread to answer the question that I should still theoretically be able to port over my existing number whether I activate with the new number I'm given when I activate or not, however...

I went to AT&T's website to check if my number could be ported and it seems there is a problem. I am from NY state and I'm going to school in FL now. When I check the number to be ported (NY area code) and put the zip code where it will primarily be used (FL zip), it says I can't port the number. If I put NY as the zip code it says it can be ported. So -- what do I do? I'd like to keep my NY number as I've had it for 5+ years and my permanent address is technically still at my family's home in NY, however I'm spending the vast time of the year in FL. Any solution to this problem? Thanks for any advice in advance

Use your permanent address in NY as your address with AT&T. It doesn't matter a whole lot, it will affect the tax rate you're charged, but if you use one location as your permanent address and live elsewhere on a semi-permanent basis, such as school, it's not a big deal.

 

[JusChexin]

Use your permanent address in NY as your address with AT&T. It doesn't matter a whole lot, it will affect the tax rate you're charged, but if you use one location as your permanent address and live elsewhere on a semi-permanent basis, such as school, it's not a big deal.

Does it matter that I'm having the iPhone physically delivered to my apartment in FL or that the phone will physically be in FL when I port the number? I can definitely keep my NY address as the billing address on AT&T as I plan on getting email bills and paying electronically anyway, but will the number not actually port if I'm (and thus the phone) not physically located in the area code where the phone number originates from?

 

[hookem12387]

So, on a related yet unrelated note, could I try ATT (or any other carrier) for the 30 day period still within the buyers remorse period, then if I like it, keep it and have my number ported, but if I dont I can just return the phone?

 

[saDeRmac]

So, on a related yet unrelated note, could I try ATT (or any other carrier) for the 30 day period still within the buyers remorse period, then if I like it, keep it and have my number ported, but if I dont I can just return the phone?

Yes, with a 10% restocking fee if you return. AT&T will refund your activation fee if you cancel within three days. If you decide to keep the phone past the BRE period, the contract cancelation fee is 175.

 

[wr1020]

Not related to the question at all but i'll be getting my 3G S and ending my verizon contract next week. I have the LG voyager and wanted to know if i can give it to my sister and if she can activate it free of charge and use it. She already has a phone through verizon and she's on the family plan i'm currently on along with my parents. Her phone is fairly old so if i can give it to her it would help her out. Thanks

 

[Lou142]

Deciding not to port number after placing order, but prior to delivery

For those who are interested,

I just got off the phone with a nice customer representative in the department that takes care of number-porting. I stated that upon purchasing my new phone through the apple store, that I had asked for my number to be ported from Verizon; however, I also stated that I wanted to retract my request and obtain a new number. The rep stated that she would place comments regarding my request on my account, and to take my handset (upon receipt) to a corporate store where I would be issued a NEW SIM and a NEW NUMBER. The issue, she stated, is the SIM card, and nothing else.

However, the rep also stated that if I wanted to go through with my port request upon receiving my new phone, that I would only need to follow through with the activation process through itunes. Just thought I'd share this information in case anyone had second thoughts about porting their number over after placing their order for their new phone, but before actually receiving it. In my case, I am dealing with a possible ETF of $105 from Verizon, and want to make sure I want ATT's service before committing.

 

[toekneestuck]

AT&T transfer phone number between contracts

I'm currently on a family plan with AT&T (with the first gen iPhone) and want to get the iPhone 3GS on a new individual AT&T contract for myself. Am I able to transfer my existing number (currently on the family plan) to my new individual contract? Or would that just be considered an "upgrade," since I already have AT&T service?

 

[saDeRmac]

I'm currently on a family plan with AT&T (with the first gen iPhone) and want to get the iPhone 3GS on a new individual AT&T contract for myself. Am I able to transfer my existing number (currently on the family plan) to my new individual contract? Or would that just be considered an "upgrade," since I already have AT&T service?

It would be an upgrade and then you would need to do a transfer of service into your name.