Topic 'Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid' in forum 'VOIP Tech Chat' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22268223 en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:45:26 EDT Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:45:26 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22355053 said by garys_2k:

I once had to settle an impasse sort of like that and the ONLY way I got it settled was with a conference call -- me and the two finger pointing parties on the line at once. That can be tricky to get everyone together like that, though.
Exactly. I would have liked to set up a conference call, but neither party wanted to wait on hold for the other to become available.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22355053 Thu, 07 May 2009 16:22:35 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22355014 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22355014 Thu, 07 May 2009 16:16:41 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22354927
The people at both providers were reasonable to deal with. Each believed they had done everything required to port the number. But communication between them didn't work, leaving them in a deadly embrace, with each waiting for the other.

There seemed to be no mechanism in place that would initiate action to find out why the port wasn't happening. If I hadn't talked to both providers several times to find out what they needed, it's not clear that anything would have happened.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22354927 Thu, 07 May 2009 16:03:01 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22327839 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22327839 Sat, 02 May 2009 01:47:55 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22327837 said by dcm:

said by dannykewl:

Yep, I registered the account online, and no option to block text messages, ...
While you can't block all text messages, you can block messages from email.

1. Log into your account at my.t-mobile.com
2. Scroll down to the Communication Tools box.
3. Click Messaging.
4. Click Create e-mail filters (in Resources box to the right).
5. Select "Yes" for Block all messages from E-Mail to handset.
6. Select "No" for Allow messages ONLY to "My Phone's E-Mail address.
7. Click "Update E-Mail Filters".
She said to send a text is 10 cents and five cents to receive, that doesn't sound right, as it's 20 cents each way on my regular account.
She is correct ... 10 to send, 5 to receive on prepaid.
Thanks dcm, I just followed your instructions and saved the settings.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22327837 Sat, 02 May 2009 01:46:28 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22323436 said by burgerwars:

I'm fairly sure browsing those limited T-Zones sites on T-Mobile prepaid are free. Yes, T-Zones is free on prepaid.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22323436 Fri, 01 May 2009 10:04:59 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22323431 said by dannykewl:

Yep, I registered the account online, and no option to block text messages, ...While you can't block all text messages, you can block messages from email.

1. Log into your account at my.t-mobile.com
2. Scroll down to the Communication Tools box.
3. Click Messaging.
4. Click Create e-mail filters (in Resources box to the right).
5. Select "Yes" for Block all messages from E-Mail to handset.
6. Select "No" for Allow messages ONLY to "My Phone's E-Mail address.
7. Click "Update E-Mail Filters".
She said to send a text is 10 cents and five cents to receive, that doesn't sound right, as it's 20 cents each way on my regular account.
She is correct ... 10 to send, 5 to receive on prepaid.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22323431 Fri, 01 May 2009 10:04:15 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22320696
But you got me going. I just called T-Mobile and asked them to port one of my VOIP.MS numbers (I have two) to T-Mobile prepaid. They said the port should only take 24-48 hours if all the info I gave them was correct. That sounds awfully optimistic. The number I'm porting this time is located in a mountain community near Los Angeles, and is a quite good easy/vanity number (the only stuff I bother to port). I'm thinking of buying a vacation property up there sometime, but I'm unsure when. At least I will already have a good local number when that time comes. I'll tell you how this port goes.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22320696 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:40:43 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320386 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320386 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:37:21 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320225 said by nitzan:

Sounds like the ball dropped somewhereAs I recall, you posted a list a while back rating the degree of difficulty in porting numbers away from providers. T-Mobile was near the top of your list.

Is there more that I have to look forward to?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320225 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:10:29 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320091
»www.syniverse.com/business-solut···tability

------------------------------

And it's ironic that a cutting-edge process should be so much based on sending Faxes.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320091 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:37:34 EDT Re: Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320021 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22320021 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:19:26 EDT Porting Out From T-Mobile Prepaid http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22319979
- I submitted a letter of authorization (LOA) to InPhonex (which I think of as the receiving provider) about 6 weeks ago.

- A week later, InPhonex said that T-Mobile had rejected the port request because the LOA did not contain an account number. I had never seen an account number for this prepaid account.

- I called T-Mobile and told them about the rejection. After much discussion about whether such a thing existed and several call transfers, they gave me an account number.

- I resubmitted the LOA with the account number to InPhonex.

- InPhonex has charged me for two months of service on this as yet unusable DID.

- After polling InPhonex a couple of times about the status of the port, they responded today. They apologized for the delay and said they would refund the porting fee. Their database says they are still waiting for an FoC date.

- I called T-Mobile's porting department. Their database shows that one day after I submitted the LOA to InPhonex, T-Mobile responded with a request for my PIN. They are still waiting for an answer.

- They thought the response may have come via email. But the porting department "does not have email capability". So they transferred me to the Wireline department.

- For the first time, I talked to someone who really knows what's going on. He said that when porting out a prepaid number, all T-Mobile really cares about is the PIN. I told him my PIN, and he confirmed that it was correct. But they need to hear it from Global. Maybe Global Crossing is an upstream provider for InPhonex?

- He asked for a provider number to call. I hesitated to give him InPhonex's customer support number, because I have never tested it. (All my communication with them has been by email.) And in any case, it wasn't clear that T-Mobile wanted to hear from InPhonex.

- So I asked for the number of T-Mobile's Wireline department. (I think they answer the phone with some other department name.) This is the number you need to know: 1 877 789 3106. The department is open 8 AM to 10 PM Eastern time, 7 days a week.

- I relayed all this information back to InPhonex, asking them to call T-Mobile. I await their response.

According to the very helpful T-Mobile Wireline person, communications between the parties are routed like this:
- InPhonex to Global
- Global to Syniverse (a third-party intermediary between carriers)
- Syniverse to T-Mobile

And back again.

So maybe when T-Mobile asked for the PIN, their request got translated somewhere along the way into a request for the account number, which is not what they wanted.

Tune in again for the next exciting episode...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Porting-Out-From-TMobile-Prepaid-22319979 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:10:27 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22318824 said by burgerwars:

said by dannykewl:

Success!

Hopefully I can block text messages to the prepaid the same way I do to my regular T-Mo account online, as I was getting Spam messages on my regular account.

Congrats. I see it took a week (what did I say?).

About blocking text messages: There are instructions to that, but that choice doesn't seem to appear in the menu of a prepaid plan. You may need to call them.

I've never had a problem with prepaid text spam on my t-Mobile ported in numbers. As long as you're not sending out text messages from your phone, you should be able to avoid getting on spam lists.
Thanks Burgerwars. Yep, I registered the account online, and no option to block text messages, so I called 611 from the prepaid phone, and after 2 unsuccessful attempts, it would ring once, then silence when said "connecting', after choosing "tech support", the third time got me thru, but in no options could I talk to a live person. Other options were stuff like checking minutes. So I called 611 from my regular T-Mo phone, and explained the situation, and they put me thru to a live person at Prepaid. She told me there is no option to disable text messaging on pre-paid.

She said to send a text is 10 cents and five cents to receive, that doesn't sound right, as it's 20 cents each way on my regular account. For some reason it was hard to communicate with this rep. However, I rarely if ever text, and disabled the service on my regular account, and don't plan on sending any on my pre-paid, as I am going to use that of course, mainly for parking my ported number. Any use would be emergency communication, say I lost my regular phone and SIM, etc. Another thing that wasn't clear is if there's a charge for using Web To Go, which I assume is T-Zones, or if it's unlimited. I understand some downloads cost money, such as wallpapers and ringtones, but I never use those anyways. I should still have the proxy hack configured in the phone I'm using for pre-paid but I haven't tried it yet, as I used to use that phone for my regular account, on the $4.99 T-Zones plan, where I could access the real Web. I have 10 minutes and don't have to add until the end of July. Cool! Thanks again for the help.

Dam]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22318824 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:33:20 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22318661 said by dannykewl:

Success!

Hopefully I can block text messages to the prepaid the same way I do to my regular T-Mo account online, as I was getting Spam messages on my regular account.

Congrats. I see it took a week (what did I say?).

About blocking text messages: There are instructions to that, but that choice doesn't seem to appear in the menu of a prepaid plan. You may need to call them.

I've never had a problem with prepaid text spam on my t-Mobile ported in numbers. As long as you're not sending out text messages from your phone, you should be able to avoid getting on spam lists.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22318661 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:04:47 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22318223
I then called P8, and I'll say they were very good to work with, they canceled my service and my Mobile-Talk service which I no longer need. P8 told me to keep the DTA. The weird thing is before I called to cancel, I plugged a phone into P8's DTA, and it was still active, and when I called my cell, it came up also as my ported number on the caller ID. But, I'm sure I'm safe as T-Mo has registered that number for me.

I just checked and got P8's cancellation confirmation email.

I want to thank everyone here for all the great help and advice given to me, and hopefully I can be of help in the future. Maybe someone porting a number to T-Mo prepaid and being told on the phone it can't be done will search and come across this thread that it CAN be done.

Hopefully I can block text messages to the prepaid the same way I do to my regular T-Mo account online, as I was getting Spam messages on my regular account.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22318223 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:41:57 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22302444 said by dannykewl:

I'm still waiting for the port. I guess their 24 to 48 hours don't include weekends, but then it's been said here could take a week from VOIP.
The losing carrier sets the timeline of the port-out. Packet 8's underlying CLEC partner will determine when your number ports out.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22302444 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:53:26 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22302051
Thanks all for the confirm on being able to use the prepaid SIM card in other phones. I figured I probably could, but wasn't quite sure as it's prepaid and they asked for the IMEI number, I thought maybe they tied prepaid to one phone. I assume, if I wanted or needed to, I could put my regular SIM in the phone with the prepaid IMEI with no problem? Thanks,

Dan]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22302051 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:31:35 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22288846
One more thing: If you have a prepaid locked T-Mobile phone, after 90 days of service and with a refill in the last 30 days, you can call them and ask for the unlock code. Just tell them you're traveling out of the country and would like to use it with another SIM. They'll ask you to verify the IMEI and phone model, and then they'll send you the unlock code in e-mail. Normally with T-Mobile phones all you need to do is put another company's SIM in the phone, it will ask for the unlock code, type it in, and that's it. But if the code doesn't work the first couple of times, don't keep entering the wrong code or the phone will not accept any unlock codes. T-Mobile might have given you the wrong code (they've done that to me once). Call them again and have them research the code again.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22288846 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:11:30 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22287743
I routinely move a T-Mobile prepaid SIM card from one phone to another.

Porting a number away from T-Mobile is another story: 34 days since I sent the letter of authorization. No news yet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22287743 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:21:53 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22287479 said by dannykewl:

Curious if once activated, I can use the pre-paid SIM in another T-Mo phone, since the IMEI was asked for.Yes, you can use a T-Mobile pre-paid SIM in any T-Mobile branded or unlocked GSM phone with 850/1900 bands.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22287479 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:23:15 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22287419 said by burgerwars:

Good luck. Being "The King" of T-Mobile prepaid port-ins (I've done this three times without a hitch), I can add:

Inward ports were done from: Skype, Vonage and Callvantage.

Make sure the number is portable to T-Mobile (by checking their website). From what you indicated above, it is.

You only call T-Mobile. Once your port is complete and you're sure everything is working, then call the other company to cancel. Don't do it the other way, or you could lose your number.

Mine were all done on prepaid accounts I activated first. But I'm thinking on one of them I called about porting at the same time I was activating, and they gave me a temporary number until the port went through.

They'll give you a port completion date. With VOIP, it's about a week in the future. For all my ports, they all completed on the day they gave me.

When the port goes through, you don't need a new SIM. The number will change on your phone (you may need to turn it off and on). Your prepaid balance carries over to your new number. Your new number will then work on their website with the same password. You do though, need to reset your voicemail by holding down the 1 on your phone. Any voicemails on the old number will be lost.
(Rest of msg snipped)

BINGO! Thanks so much Burgerwars, Test99, dcm, Nitzan, nick digger, and I know there's a few more who helped, but can't access the back post pages right now to get the rest of the names. I just got off the phone with T-Mo. About the first question asked by the VRU is if I wanted to get a new number or keep my existing number, and I stated "existing", and that put me thru to a rep, who said porting was fine. She took all the info about my P8 account, and said the transfer should go thru within 24 to 48 hours, and then took all the other info such as IMEI, activation code, etc. Since I used the phone connected to my regular T-Mo account, she was well aware that I'm also a postpaid customer. Again, thanks everyone for the help, and I'll post back when I'm activated. I'll also go to the T-Mo website with the new account number she gave me and follow from there, She said a text message will be sent when I'm activated, but it was unclear if it goes to the new activation or my regular phone. She said I don't need to keep the phone on that I put the new SIM in.

Curious if once activated, I can use the pre-paid SIM in another T-Mo phone, since the IMEI was asked for. I know I can use my regular sim card in either, as I have a Dash as my current main phone, and 2 older Nokia 3650's, in which I put the SIM in one of them for the pre-paid. I bought a replacement 3650 a couple years ago, as the charging unit went bad on my original, but can use the original if I charge the battery in the other one. Now I'm thinking the one I got from eBay came with a fresh SIM card I never used, still attached to the larger card. I probably could have used that, but oh well, I have this one now.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22287419 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:14:40 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22285670
Inward ports were done from: Skype, Vonage and Callvantage.

Make sure the number is portable to T-Mobile (by checking their website). From what you indicated above, it is.

You only call T-Mobile. Once your port is complete and you're sure everything is working, then call the other company to cancel. Don't do it the other way, or you could lose your number.

Mine were all done on prepaid accounts I activated first. But I'm thinking on one of them I called about porting at the same time I was activating, and they gave me a temporary number until the port went through.

They'll give you a port completion date. With VOIP, it's about a week in the future. For all my ports, they all completed on the day they gave me.

When the port goes through, you don't need a new SIM. The number will change on your phone (you may need to turn it off and on). Your prepaid balance carries over to your new number. Your new number will then work on their website with the same password. You do though, need to reset your voicemail by holding down the 1 on your phone. Any voicemails on the old number will be lost.

But if T-Mobile has some new business rule that they don't port to prepaid, that would be a bummer. I was thinking of doing it one more time.

I'm only a T-Mobile prepaid customer. My postpaid account is with AT&T.

Although I don't suggest you do this, if you let your prepaid balance expire, you still have 90 days after that to add funds and your number will be active again (but you still lose you any previous balance). But to be safe and to avoid losing any deposited funds, always do a refill well before your previous refill expires. If you let even that 90 days expire, your number is gone for good.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22285670 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:22:37 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22285272 said by burgerwars:

said by dannykewl:

said by Test99:

Look for T-Mobile in this thread: »"Porting" is such sweet sorrow.

Maybe you could ask burgerwars whether he has any suggestions on how to approach T-Mobile. It's been my experience on other issues that different people at T-Mobile give different responses.
Thanks. That thread is too old to reply to, so I sent Burgerwars a PM. His last logon was 5 days ago, so it may be a while.
Last time I ported to a T-Mobile prepaid plan was about in September of last year. No problems then. All I did was initially activate the account with a local number they gave me. I registered the account online (added my name and address). Then I called them up and asked for their porting department. I don't think I even added any extra funds to the account at the time (it was only credited with the initial $10 in credit that came with the phone).

So unless something recently changed with T-Mobile, they should allow prepaid port-ins.
Thanks for replying. I just got the SIM delivered a few minutes ago, and I'll work on it this evening when I have more time to mess around with it, and I'll try your approach posted here, and I'll post later this evening my results.

Dan]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22285272 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:59:19 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22285115 said by dannykewl:

said by Test99:

Look for T-Mobile in this thread: »"Porting" is such sweet sorrow.

Maybe you could ask burgerwars whether he has any suggestions on how to approach T-Mobile. It's been my experience on other issues that different people at T-Mobile give different responses.
Thanks. That thread is too old to reply to, so I sent Burgerwars a PM. His last logon was 5 days ago, so it may be a while.
Last time I ported to a T-Mobile prepaid plan was about in September of last year. No problems then. All I did was initially activate the account with a local number they gave me. I registered the account online (added my name and address). Then I called them up and asked for their porting department. I don't think I even added any extra funds to the account at the time (it was only credited with the initial $10 in credit that came with the phone).

So unless something recently changed with T-Mobile, they should allow prepaid port-ins.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22285115 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:33:53 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22277729 said by dannykewl:

Are there any free or low cost services that will let me "park" my P8 phone number until I can use it at MJ?
yeah, I've read all the T-Mobile posts ... and sometimes you can fit a round peg into a square hole. for the sake of completeness, there are other options. »www.phonenumberbank.com will port in and park and forward your number for free the first two months, and $9.95/month thereafter. VOIPo will port in your number for free, and charge $4.95/month for park and forward service (a little cheaper per month if you prepay for 12 months). both of the providers mentioned will allow your number to port out when you find a new permanent home.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22277729 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:44:01 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276895 said by dcm:

said by dannykewl:

Under options, I chose the SIM card package for $6.99, and put in my credit card and shipping info.

However, it didn't ask what prepaid plan I wanted, just says the SIM comes with 10 starter minutes, nor anywhere in the cart or checkout does it say that a number is to be ported. ...
Unless things have changed ... you should receive an activation card with your SIM.

1. You call the number on the activation card.
2. The VRU should ask if you're porting a number or want a new number.
3. I've always gotten a new number, so I don't know what info it will ask for with a port.
Thanks much for the info, hope it lets me port.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276895 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:39:18 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276379 said by dcm:

The VRU should ask if you're porting a number or want a new number.Great information! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276379 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:40:53 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276349 said by dannykewl:

Under options, I chose the SIM card package for $6.99, and put in my credit card and shipping info.

However, it didn't ask what prepaid plan I wanted, just says the SIM comes with 10 starter minutes, nor anywhere in the cart or checkout does it say that a number is to be ported. ... Unless things have changed ... you should receive an activation card with your SIM.

1. You call the number on the activation card.
2. The VRU should ask if you're porting a number or want a new number.
3. I've always gotten a new number, so I don't know what info it will ask for with a port.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276349 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:36:27 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276066
So that probably isn't the right page. Maybe a Google search for something like site:t-mobile.com port number would turn up some clues. Or maybe the T-Mobile forums might have information.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22276066 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:52:04 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22275995
Thanks, but DON'T put your own SIM / service in jeopardy of getting something /charges you may not want. I can wait for mine, and I'll go from there. Worst that can happen is I'll have to do the phone number swap talked about earlier, putting my presesnt number on pay/go and getting the ported number to my regular service. If that has to happen, I'm going to go in to the T-Mo store and bitch up a storm saying I want the numbers swapped. But thanks, again, don't risk your new SIM.

Dan]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22275995 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:38:30 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22275781
I haven't put the new card in service yet. I'm waiting until the number that goes with my other SIM card is ported away, effectively disabling that card. Maybe I can activate the new card, so I can run an experiment for you. I could try porting a number to that card. (I don't really want to port a number to it, at least not yet. But it would be good to find out if I/you can initiate a port through the web site.)

My hesitation is that once I activate that card, it starts a clock running. More funds have to be added within a certain time period to keep it active. Meanwhile, I can't disable the other card, because the port of its number is still in progress. Let me think this through...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22275781 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:03:10 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22275487 said by Test99:

You might check whether you can initiate the port from T-Mobile's web site without human intervention. Web sites don't have opinions, they just follow orders. If you can get the site to follow your orders, so much the better. No doubt a human will look at your order at some point, but by then it will hopefully be just one more order to process.

About your communication with us in this thread: Quite a few posters give little or no feedback, leaving us wondering what happened. Your communication has been exemplary. :)
Thanks Test99 for the kind words, I do my best. That was a really great idea to try online. I went to an earlier post in this thread where you posted a link to see if I could port a number to T-Mo, and I tried it, and it said "Yes", but I didn't go any further. I just went back to that link, entered the phone number to port, it said "Yes" again, then it directed me to phones and plans. I skipped the phones, went to plans, and it let me choose Prepaid from the menu. Under options, I chose the SIM card package for $6.99, and put in my credit card and shipping info.

However, it didn't ask what prepaid plan I wanted, just says the SIM comes with 10 starter minutes, nor anywhere in the cart or checkout does it say that a number is to be ported. However on the check number page it says it puts the number in your cart. No mention about the number in the confirmation email. I don't want to call T-Mo and "blow" anything at this point. So I don't know if my ported number will be on the SIM that they send, or I deal with that when I get the SIM and put it in the phone. It says only 1 day to get the SIM, so I assume if they do port, it's not already on the SIM. I'll see what happens, and if I can't port the number, I'll go to the T-Mo store with SIM in hand.

Thanks again for the prompt to try online.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22275487 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:20:59 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274712
About your communication with us in this thread: Quite a few posters give little or no feedback, leaving us wondering what happened. Your communication has been exemplary. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274712 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:07:42 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274181 said by dannykewl:

said by MeTarzan:

Callcentric DID $1.95 per month and 0.015 per min (plus porting fee) maybe an option. If you 'don't use it in the US' no 911 fee. Am using that now.
Thanks, I was looking at that one too, but since I live in the US, there will also be a $1.50 a month 911 fee, and with all the regulatory taxes and fees, probably $2 more a month. And it looks like you have to buy their DTA.
Just for the record, CallCentric does not have any other regulatory taxes, fees, etc---just the 911 fee, and ONLY for New Yorkers there is NY sales tax.

And you can use whatever ATA, IP phone, PBX, softphone, that you wish. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274181 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:43:16 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274180 said by dannykewl:

... but if I call the pay/go VM from another phone, if that is still deducted from the pay minutes?
No minutes are deducted when retrieving VM from another phone. Nor are any minutes deducted when someone leaves a VM.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274180 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:43:08 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274029 said by nick digger :

said by dannykewl:

I then called T-Mo, and they said they don't port numbers to pre-paid plans, probably due to people not keeping their prepaid service going, losing their number, then getting mad about it.
That's BS. I ported my # to my prepaid Tmo when Sunrocket died, and my dad ported his Verizon landline to his Tmo prepaid last month. The ONLY problem encountered on either port was my Sunrocket # -- because there was nobody at Sunrocket to answer the request.

Logically, porting your # INTO a prepaid acct is a sign that you plan to keep it, and not throw it away like a booty-call phone after the minutes are used up.

As for your question about Tmo-to-Tmo and voicemail -- prepaid minutes are used for ANY call you make. "611" is the only exception.
Thanks, that's what I would think, they know they have a "serious" customer who is porting their number. I plan on talking to them at the T-Mo store tomorrow, maybe I'll get more favorable info face to face, and hopefully a reply from someone who already done what I want to do to see if there's any special hoops or loopholes to do this. Thanks for the info on Tmo2Tmo and VM. I realize VM from the pay/go phone will use minutes, but if I call the pay/go VM from another phone, if that is still deducted from the pay minutes?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22274029 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:11:04 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273979 said by Test99:

There's an option on burgerwars' page to send him email. That could reach him faster - maybe.
Thanks Test99, I didn't notice the email option first time, and I just sent the person an email. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273979 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:02:33 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273457 burgerwars' page to send him email. That could reach him faster - maybe.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273457 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:41:43 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273425 said by Test99:

Look for T-Mobile in this thread: »"Porting" is such sweet sorrow.

Maybe you could ask burgerwars whether he has any suggestions on how to approach T-Mobile. It's been my experience on other issues that different people at T-Mobile give different responses.
Thanks. That thread is too old to reply to, so I sent Burgerwars a PM. His last logon was 5 days ago, so it may be a while. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273425 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:35:50 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273311 "Porting" is such sweet sorrow.

Maybe you could ask burgerwars whether he has any suggestions on how to approach T-Mobile. It's been my experience on other issues that different people at T-Mobile give different responses.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273311 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:18:22 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273307 said by dannykewl:

I then called T-Mo, and they said they don't port numbers to pre-paid plans, probably due to people not keeping their prepaid service going, losing their number, then getting mad about it. That's BS. I ported my # to my prepaid Tmo when Sunrocket died, and my dad ported his Verizon landline to his Tmo prepaid last month. The ONLY problem encountered on either port was my Sunrocket # -- because there was nobody at Sunrocket to answer the request.

Logically, porting your # INTO a prepaid acct is a sign that you plan to keep it, and not throw it away like a booty-call phone after the minutes are used up.

As for your question about Tmo-to-Tmo and voicemail -- prepaid minutes are used for ANY call you make. "611" is the only exception.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273307 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:18:14 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273296 said by Test99:

said by dannykewl:

they said they don't port numbers to pre-paid plans
That's a change. We've had people post about doing this.
I'll be at the local T-Mo store tomorrow, and try again, acting like I "know" I can port the number to Pay/Go, and see if they come up with something different. I added another edit to my last post, that probably posted while you were writing your reply, but I called back and found out I can put my presesnt number on Pay/go and port my other number in as my regular number, but no call fwd, but I can leave a message on my VM to call the new number. Guess if that's the only route left, I'll have to do it.

I also found this in T-Mo's TOS:

"Prepaid General Terms: Sufficient balance required to use service.

Partial minutes rounded up for billing. Service is available for 90 days

(one year for $100 refill cards) following activation. Void if not activated

within 90 days from purchase. If you don't refill within 90 days after your

last refill expiration date, you will lose your account."

So this seems to me, on paying $10 for 3 months, if I'm careful, I can let 2 or almost 3 months lapse, then pay again, bringing down costs further - as long as they don't give a new phone number on each lapsed "refill".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273296 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:16:15 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273225 said by dannykewl:

they said they don't port numbers to pre-paid plansThat's a change. We've had people post about doing this.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273225 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:04:48 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273022
I then called T-Mo, and they said they don't port numbers to pre-paid plans, probably due to people not keeping their prepaid service going, losing their number, then getting mad about it. They said I can port it and use it as my current plan phone number with no changes in my current plan, other than my phone number, which is out as I had this number for years and everyone knows it. The other thing they suggested is their At Home VOIP plan, for $9.99 a month plus taxes, plus a 2 year contract, and for being a Loyalty customer, I would get $135 in credits, but about $80 would immediately be eaten up with their adapter and activation fee, so with the $60 credit left, I'll still be paying $10 plus a month for the remaining i.5 years on the contract.

So I may look at the Callcentric again, if not, I'll just have to lose that number. Thanks everyone for all their help, much appreciated. Guess I could ask how long T-Mo refers people calling my old number to the new one if I switch it, however, if I want to use it later as a biz number vs a personal number will have to do the switcheroo again and inform everyone.

EDIT: Actually, I'm going to call T-Mo back and see if they'll switch my current number to pay/go and port the other number in, and if their forwarding from pay/go to regular account is free. I would rather now that I think about it, trust a well known carrier than a VOIP with the number.

EDIT #2: I just talked to T-Mo, and they said that's feasible. I can put my presesnt T-Mo number on pay/go, and port my P8 number to my regular line. Pay/go doesn't have call fwd he said, but they have VM. So at least I can put a message on there for others to call my ported number when I get it. I'll stop by the local T-Mo store tomorrow. I forgot to ask the guy if T-Mo to T-Mo counts against the Pay/go minutes, or if someone leaving a VM uses minutes, even if I check VM from my unlimited phone. I'll ask at the store.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22273022 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:35:29 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22272205 said by Test99:

said by dannykewl:

I sign a LOA, and they port my number from P8?
Yes. A number has to be pulled, not pushed. :)
I don't see a P8 specific sub-forum here to ask.
Packet 8's own forums are here.
Thanks much. I posted there under residential, but not really a lot of activity on the forums there it seems compared to here. I'd rather get other's advice and know what possible options are before I make an actual official call or email to the company. I been to that forum a long time ago, but kind of forgot about it, thanks again.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22272205 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:15:57 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22272146
They are BYOD.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22272146 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:05:07 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22272011 said by MeTarzan:

Callcentric DID $1.95 per month and 0.015 per min (plus porting fee) maybe an option. If you 'don't use it in the US' no 911 fee. Am using that now.
Thanks, I was looking at that one too, but since I live in the US, there will also be a $1.50 a month 911 fee, and with all the regulatory taxes and fees, probably $2 more a month. And it looks like you have to buy their DTA. I have the DTA from P8, but I don't think I'll be able to keep it when I d/c their service, and probably won't work with other carriers. However, to be fair, I'll contact Callcentric and see what I'll pay and what I need, as well as T-Mo, as I have a hunch T-Mo is a straight $10 every 3 months. Right now I have the $5.99 a month plan with P8, and 4 cents a minute, no free minutes, and even if I don't use it at all that month, my bill is still near $10.50 a month with all the fees and taxes. P8 has been giving me for the most part, good quality service, but I just don't need that level of back-up service at this point. However about a year ago I started having "line" trouble with them, they sent me a new DTA and the problem was solved. Only thing they do want the old DTA back or will get charged $75, even though it was toasted, and they even knew that, at my expense to UPS it back. I will also try P8 to see if they now have number parking at a decent rate, must be better rates than T-Mo or Callcentric.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22272011 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:40:02 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22270816 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22270816 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:04:52 EDT Re: [General] Port number from Packet 8 to "temp parking" to Mag http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22270703 said by dannykewl:

I sign a LOA, and they port my number from P8?Yes. A number has to be pulled, not pushed. :)
I don't see a P8 specific sub-forum here to ask.
Packet 8's own forums are here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-General-Port-number-from-Packet-8-to-temp-parking-to-Mag-22270703 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:04:01 EDT