 N9MDPremium
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| NetZero/PrivatePhone discontinuing Voice ServiceWe haven't seen any posts lately concerning NetZero's free DIDs, via their PrivatePhone label. This service allows incoming calls to be sent to voicemail with notification sent to your designated email address. Outbound dialing and Call Forwarding to SIP-URI were not permitted. It's just a message forwarding product, of little use to most folks.
However, they have now posted their "death notice" which curiously indicates that they have made a deal with Packet8 (similar to the SunRocket to P8 offer earlier this year) to allow PrivatePhone numbers to be ported to a P8 Freedom Unlimited plan for $19.95 per month.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=NetZero Voice se rvice will be discontinued on December 15, 2007
.
Your NetZero Voice number is: (xxx) xxx-x000
.
Please write this number down before clicking the links below.
.
We have made special arrangements with Packet8 to enable you to
transfer your NetZero Voice number to Packet8 Freedom Unlimited
Service for $19.95/month.
.
Learn more about moving your NetZero Voice number to Packet8
Freedom Unlimited plan now!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Level 3 Communications is the CLEC for many of the US-wide NetZero DIDs --- so it should not be difficult to port previously unportable but desirable NZ#s to any VoIP provider served by Level 3. |
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 brian188Keep your Liberalism off my paycheckPremium
join:2006-03-23
Loveland, CO | »Another VoIP Carrier Calling It Quits...
and the winner is NetZero Voice. |
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Cogdis
join:2007-03-26
Floral Park, NY | reply to N9MD
lol packet 8 is pretty slick.
They probably made a few TB customers jump ship with that press release. |
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| reply to N9MD
I didn't see anything on their website stating that the free Privatephone service (voicemail only) is being discontinued. That's all I subscribe to. Anyone know?
If it is, it would be nice if I can port/park that number somewhere else (maybe Grand Central or AIM phone line). It's a kind of easy number I found (ending in XXX-4400). I hate to lose it, but if I eventually do, I'll live. |
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1 edit | reply to N9MD
I think I'm answering my own questions. From the looks of Privatephone's website, the voicemail service continues. In looking at their terms of service on page
»www.netzero.net/support/voip/pvt···aqs.html
if you cancel Privatephone you lose your number. They don't allow you to port out. But I think I see a loophole. If you're just a Privatephone user (don't use the outgoing service), if you go to this NetZero/Packet8 page and login:
»account.netzero.net/s/voiptransf···ewNZForm
up comes the menu allowing you to transfer your number to Packet8. This works for me, even though I'm just a voicemail customer. I didn't go any further, but if it does let me transfer the number to Packet8, then from Packet8 I should be free to transfer the number elsewhere. At least that's what I'm thinking. Since I have a good number, but I'm not in love with it, I won't bother. But if others want to try, I would like to hear what happens.
Another link: NetZero/Packet8 FAQ: »www.netzero.net/support/voip |
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maziloFrom MaziloPremium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
kudos:1 | reply to N9MD
said by N9MD:..., they have now posted their "death notice" which curiously indicates that they have made a deal with Packet8 (similar to the SunRocket to P8 offer earlier this year) to allow PrivatePhone numbers to be ported to a P8 Freedom Unlimited plan for $19.95 per month. I reckon this was what Packet8 meant when it announced there was a VoIP company would roll up its carpet like SR did, except this NZ service isn't a VoIP. |
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N9MDPremium
join:2005-10-08
Boca Raton, FL
kudos:5 Reviews:
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| reply to N9MD
I faxed over the LOA and a print-out of the NetZero website account info to ViaTalk very early this morning -- to begin the porting process to VT as a virtual number. This is more out of a sense of curiosity to see if I achieve success -- although the fact that the NZ DID# ends in three zeros (xxx-xxx-x000) and is in my local area doesn't hurt.
Incidentally, I got an email response from VT about two hours after faxing my request --- not an automatic one, since the wording reflected a special request I had made. |
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| reply to N9MD
N9MD: I noticed that (xxx) xxx-x000 in your original message. If my PrivatePhone number was like that, then I would go to the effort of trying to get it moved. But with just double zeros 00, which are quite a bit easier to find, I'll just take my chances keeping my voicemail. I never use the number, aside from calling into it myself to keep it active.
But if you search previous posts of mine, you'll find where I did move a triple zero xxx-x000 virtual number off one of the smaller VOIP providers to my cellphone (it was also in my local area code). They said they normally don't let numbers they assign go, but since I was a long time customer, they let me do it.
Good luck. I hope your port is not refused because you're not transferring it to Packet8. If it is, you'll probably need to transfer it to Packet8 first, and then to ViaTalk. |
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| reply to N9MD
From »www.netzerovoice.com/
NETZERO VOICE SERVICE WILL BE ENDING ON DECEMBER 15, 2007
For more information on service termination including contacting support, click here.
FAQs
»www.netzero.net/support/voip
--
Vote for Ron Paul in the Republican Primaries |
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N9MDPremium
join:2005-10-08
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| reply to burgerwars
said by burgerwars:...I did move a triple zero xxx-x000 virtual number off one of the smaller VOIP providers to my cellphone (it was also in my local area code). I've already done the same thing with an xxx-xxx-x000 number from another VoIP provider --- moving it to AT&T Mobile (the new name for Cingular/SBC/AT&T cell phone service). Even better, the rate center is in my home town (Wayne, NJ). --- Is that chance or fate? 
And my experience thus far is that numbers supplied by Level 3 (and a few other major CLECs such as RNK) can be moved to cell phones, even though the VoIP reps say otherwise. I deal directly with AT&T Porting --- and they are delightful and efficient, no matter how often I call them to check the status on my port. They've told me that porting from VoIP providers has become very simple now that the AT&T has direct phone contact with the porting departments at the major CLECs. |
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Cogdis
join:2007-03-26
Floral Park, NY | reply to burgerwars
said by burgerwars:Good luck. I hope your port is not refused because you're not transferring it to Packet8. If it is, you'll probably need to transfer it to Packet8 first, and then to ViaTalk. I wanted to point out that the FCC extended number portability requirements to VoIP providers earlier this year.
I'm not sure if a voicemail service qualifies, but the requirement says that a clec has to port out the number at the request of the end user, regardless of what the voip provider wishes. |
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3 edits | Cogdis said:
I wanted to point out that the FCC extended number portability requirements to VoIP providers earlier this year.
I'm not sure if a voicemail service qualifies, but the requirement says that a clec has to port out the number at the request of the end user, regardless of what the voip provider wishes.
----
That's good news, if this includes numbers that were issued by your VOIP carrier. I realized they have to release numbers you ported in, but didn't realize yet they had to release their own numbers. Skype, though, has always said if you want your number, you can have it. Other providers haven't been so happy to do that. Anyone know the link to the order on the FCC or other government website? That would help if one has problems.
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N9MD:
I got my xxx-x000 number ported to AT&T Wireless in August. But it wasn't as easy. AT&T Wireless at that time gave me a hard time, saying they needed a special account number from the carrier (this VOIP carrier just uses your phone number as an account). What then became clear to me while talking to them is they couldn't port from any landline carrier unless it was an AT&T POTS line, or they could port from another cellular carrier. What I ended up doing is porting that VOIP line to a Sprint line I planned to get rid of, and then port that same number from Sprint to AT&T. Since the number was then with a wireless carrier, they could port it. But maybe now things have got easier. By the way, the number ported wasn't exactly in my rate center, but a neighboring one. Close enough for me for cellphone usage, but I wouldn't be able to port it to my home phone. |
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Cogdis
join:2007-03-26
Floral Park, NY | said by burgerwars:Anyone know the link to the order on the FCC or other government website? That would help if one has problems. I found out about this because my friend filed a FCC complaint when he couldn't port his sunrocket number. I remember somebody posted a direct link a few months back but I cant find it now.
I found this publication from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission:
»www.dora.state.co.us/PUC/publica···hone.pdf
Voip is on the third page. If you have trouble you have to complain to the fcc. |
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| Thanks.
I see where it says "The FCC recently imposed number portability requirements on VoIP providers. That means if you want to switch from a VoIP provider to a different carrier, you must be allowed to take your
telephone number with you." But that statement is kind of vague. I'm wondering if they're just referring to numbers ported in from elsewhere. The definition of your has been debated. I did just look on the FCC website, ( »www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/numbport.html ). I can't find where anything in writing about VOIP. I would like to see the FCC publishing a rule.
With Sunrocket, I assume you're talking about before Sunrocket closed down. When they went about of business users were able to port out. |
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N9MDPremium
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3 edits | reply to burgerwars
said by burgerwars:N9MD: I got my xxx-x000 number ported to AT&T Wireless in August. But it wasn't as easy. AT&T Wireless at that time gave me a hard time, saying they needed a special account number from the carrier (this VOIP carrier just uses your phone number as an account). What then became clear to me while talking to them is they couldn't port from any landline carrier unless it was an AT&T POTS line, or they could port from another cellular carrier. Well, as always, it depends on which rep you talk to. I easily and quickly ported a Verizon (NJ) POTS number to a Cingular/ATT cellphone in 2006 --- absolutely no problems encountered. And, in fact, the FCC rule from inception has required all POTS companies to port to all Cellular companies --- so there has never been an embargo on non-ATT POTS to ATT cell porting.
For my recent successful VoIP# to AT&T Mobile port, the AT&T rep did ask for an account number. I explained the nature of VoIP and the on-line account invoicing and that the DID# was the account number --- she said "No problem" and the port went thru with no hangups. -- By the way, I never faxed a LOA or any other stuff for the AT&T ports. Everything was handled in a single phone conversation.
I'll post my success or failure with the NetZero/PrivatePhone to ViaTalk port as time marches on. |
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N9MDPremium
join:2005-10-08
Boca Raton, FL
kudos:5 | reply to N9MD
Re: NetZero/PrivatePhone port to ViaTalk done in 7 days! Wow! The NetZero port initiated with ViaTalk on Oct. 30 was completed and is working well as of today Nov. 6 at 2:30pm, in exactly 7 days. I'm impressed.
[I posted in this Forum because the original topic referred to NetZero.] |
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maziloFrom MaziloPremium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
kudos:1 | If you had a Netzero DID and don't want it to port to VT, do you have to cancel your account before Netzero takes action to auto port your DID to VT? In other words, is this an auto port by Netzero to VT? |
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N9MDPremium
join:2005-10-08
Boca Raton, FL
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1 edit | said by mazilo:If you had a Netzero DID and don't want it to port to VT, do you have to cancel your account before Netzero takes action to auto port your DID to VT? In other words, is this an auto port by Netzero to VT? Have you been drinking again, mazilo? 
The NetZero offer was a transfer to Packet8 (P8) not to ViaTalk. If one takes no action by Dec 15, the NZ number simply becomes inactive, terminated, disconnected, kaput.
If one is foolish enough to accept the offer by P8 -- not VT -- migration will occur within less than a week -- to P8.
I had to actively fax ViaTalk with my request and documentation (see my 2nd post in this thread) to accomplish the port - to VT.
»www.netzero.net/support/voip/pvt···aqs.html |
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maziloFrom MaziloPremium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
kudos:1 | said by N9MD:Have you been drinking again, mazilo? LOL ... Probably, I had too much habanero lately that altered my thoughts. Hopefully, this is not going to be addictive (if you know what I meant). |
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| reply to N9MD
Re: NetZero/PrivatePhone discontinuing Voice Service I am trying to port my NZ DID and XO is saying there is PIC Freeze on my account. I've submitted PATs and eMailed NZ and told I can port my number, but it still comes back with the PIC Freeze. I've called (the cancellation number is the only one with live bodies) three times now and they say the problem has been escalated to their level 4 support team and to wait. Does anyone know how to get ahold of the proper people to get this done? Is it really NZ or Level 3? It's getting close to their shut down and I'd really like to keep my number. |
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