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bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? Hi All -
Wondering if you have any suggestions. I've been a satisfied Voice Pulse customer for several years. I have two "lines" with them. (ie, two actual numbers and can talk on both lines at the same time.)
I received a cryptic voice mail Thursday from Voice Pulse which said they had "time sensitive information related to my account." When I got through Friday, they said the the CLEC in my area was no longer going to provide service to them as of about July 13th and one of my phone numbers must be changed.
This is a serious problem because it was the line I used for my small business. I have a lot of business cards, and print advertising material out in circulation with this number on it. It was extremely short notice and I'm afraid I'll lose customers that call and get a busy signal or a number disconnected message after July 13th.
VP offered to give me a new number but that doesn't help the bigger issue. They were secretive and said there is nothing they can do and wouldn't tell me who the CLEC was.
Since I'm not moving to a new address, I'm completely confused why my number is getting pulled.
I read some of these forums and looked on telcodata.us and it appears Global NAPS is the CLEC for my 240-358-6xxx number. From what I've read, this is not a positive sign for keeping my number.
As much as I like VP, I'm willing to switch providers if it means keeping the same number. I tried to port the number to my Verizon cell phone from their store today. At first they checked and said LNP should work, then during the port they said it couldn't be ported because the number is "reserved".
What can I do? | |
|  | nitzan
Premium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
 ·ViaTalk
 ·Comcast
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? File an FCC complaint, and move on. Sadly there's not much else you CAN do. Global CRAP is in violation of FCC regulations and unfortunately unless the FCC actually does something about it - it's not going to change.
It does sound like VoicePulse is dropping GN (or maybe GN is dropping VP???) - which is a good thing I guess... doesn't help you though. | |
| | bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? Verizon is at that rate center (thanks for posting the link!) And I'm already a Verizon customer (land line and cell phone.) I'd thought to try with them this morning, just hoping because they are so big it would work. Noted in my previous post, it didn't work this morning.
However, I left the store with a phone number for their porting center. I called back just now and explained that during the port this morning, possibly part of the issue was that their automated conformation system needs an account number for the account you are porting the number from. Voice Pulse said I do not have an account number, that my user name is my account number. I tried using the number keys on the phone during the call to the porting center this morning to type in my user name but it was rejected as not a valid account number.
As of my call to Verizon just a few minutes ago, they said they went ahead and pushed the authorization through and "since it is a landline" it will go through Friday. Seems odd to me since it was a VOIP number, but maybe due to Global NAPS it looks like a land line to Verizon. I'm not 100% confident, but I'm holding my breath the number will actually get ported to my cell phone Friday. It's less than ideal, but at least I'll keep my number and can try to figure out an orderly change if I decide not to keep using my cell for my business line.
I already filed an FCC complaint naming Voice Pulse. That was after calls to Voice Pulse on Friday. They seemed cagey, maybe their hands are tied, but it still felt like there is something they aren't telling me or something they could do to help that they aren't.
I'm going to see how this port to Verizon goes and will file an FCC complaint naming Global NAPS if there is a problem. | |
| 
burgerwars
join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA
·voip.ms
·RoadRunner Cable
3 edits | I typed some 240-358-6xxx numbers in T-Mobile's Can I Port page ( »www.t-mobile.com/switch/default.···urce=TMO ) and interestingly it comes up and says "Yes." This may be a good sign that you can port out. I then typed in a number I know comes up No from Global NAPS (212-202-5xxx) and it still comes up No.
Not having an account number shouldn't be a problem. I know with my experience in using T-Mobile to do this, they'll ask for it, but if you say they don't use account numbers (like the phone number is the account number), they're OK with that.
I'm thinking if you're able to port it to Verizon, you can then call VoicePulse sometime after the 13th and have them port it back to them with whatever CLECs they still use in your rate center. Of course if they could do that, why don't they port it internally (it could be some sort of rules they need to follow).
But there are no guarantees in porting, although I'm 100% with T-Mobile. I once tried to port to VoicePulse from Callvantage. The port couldn't be completed, even though VoicePulse served that exact rate center, and actually had numbers in their inventory to give to new customers that started with the exact same area code and prefix. Go figure.
As far as a difference between a landline and VOIP, with cell carriers in regard to porting (I know with T-Mobile), they consider VOIP landlines. With them, either the number is a landline or a cellphone. No other categories.
It's good you filed an FCC complaint. I'm hoping after enough of these, the FCC will get the message that CLECs are dancing around the number portability laws and do something. In this instance, I don't think VoicePulse is to blame. I'm thinking they're totally willing to release the number, or do what they can. But with Global NAPS doing what they do, there's probably not much, if anything, that VoicePulse can do. | |
| PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey | You should also use »tnid.org/ to check the CLEC that controls your number.
Just for additional confirmation. | |
| josephf
join:2009-04-26
·VoicePulse
| It is difficult to port Global NAPS numbers out even under normal circumstances. We've even had such reports of trouble porting out VoicePulse numbers with GN.
That being said, continue trying to port it out with various cell phone and other VoIP providers. Hopefully one of them will be successful prior to the cutoff.
GrandCentral had a similar issue a year and half ago where one of their CLEC's dropped a few rate centers and they were forced to revoke a small number of DID's from their customer. | |
| | | nitzan
Premium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
·ViaTalk
·Comcast
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? IMHO in the long run you're better off spending the $$$ to change all your business cards, notify contacts, etc. than going to another provider who may force you through the same situation in the future. Spend the time to get a number from a fully portable carrier (most of them are) and you should be set forever. (barring future changes in regulation...)
If anything- you'll sleep better at night knowing these @#%@# are not getting your money anymore.  | |
| | | josephf
join:2009-04-26 | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? nitzan, you may have a point, but he needs TIME to get all that done and get the word out. Meanwhile his priority is to save the DID, at least in the short term. | |
| bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| Thanks for all these replies! Very helpful.
I'm going to see if it works through Verizon on Friday. If it does, I still lose my cell phone number, maybe I could port that one to voice pulse, I could even forward calls back to my cell. I'd save my DID but I'd have to answer business calls on my cell which doesn't always have the best reception at home.
Thanks for the tip on Broad Voice. I'm annoyed as heck at Global NAPS at this point, but it's true that it's very important to save my number at this point in time, so I'd go that route if it was my last resort. I can start handing out cards using a new number, but I need the old one to work for several months at least to be sure I don't lose any contacts.
I hope I'm an exception to the rule, but I'm finding VOIP to be a bit hairy. Previously, I was a one line Voice Pulse and one line Sun Rocket customer when the service mysteriously vanished with little notice. (I think I read about it on Yahoo before I heard anything from the company.) Not to sound like a complainer ... but one thing with POTS was I never had things like this surprising me. I guess it makes things interesting! | |
| | josephf
join:2009-04-26
·VoicePulse
1 edit | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? The point to try BroadVoice (or another Golbal NAPS CLEC VoIP provider) is a good one, though I wonder if this is something GN is dropping, then the issue may be the same with any GN provider and this number.
BTW, you could start another cell line with Verizon (or any other provider) to port this number, while keeping your original cell number. | |
| Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
| Several months ago, I signed up with Voicepulse to try out their service. Shortly after signing up (within the week of signup), calls to my number mysteriously no longer worked. When I put in a ticket, I was told that my number had to be disconnected (as if it were a CLEC provisioning issue). They were able to get another number in my area and assign it to me (oddly enough, the first EIGHT digits were identical--clearly in the same CLEC block!)... In this case, the CLEC was Deltacom. It appears that VoicePulse has stopped getting numbers from Deltacom and has moved to Paetec, at least for numbers in our area.
Since my number went wonky a few days after signup, I suspect they had forgotten to purge soon-to-expire Deltacom numbers when I signed up in the middle of a 'disconnect' order (number was already 'given up' by Voicepulse, but routing tables still pointed at Voicepulse when I got it).
My experience with 'losing' the original number was somewhat cagey, as well... In my case, though, it was a newly-assigned number that I hadn't given too many people.
I'm rather surprised that VoicePulse is forcing you to change numbers. Perhaps it is due to recent difficulties people have had porting out Global NAPS numbers. If VoicePulse is getting pressure from the FCC, they could be terminating all business with Global NAPS to avoid future headaches... | |
| | 
digiblur
Got Sipura?
Premium
join:2002-06-03
Louisiana
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? said by Fisamo  :Several months ago, I signed up with Voicepulse to try out their service. Shortly after signing up (within the week of signup), calls to my number mysteriously no longer worked. When I put in a ticket, I was told that my number had to be disconnected (as if it were a CLEC provisioning issue). They were able to get another number in my area and assign it to me (oddly enough, the first EIGHT digits were identical--clearly in the same CLEC block!)... In this case, the CLEC was Deltacom. It appears that VoicePulse has stopped getting numbers from Deltacom and has moved to Paetec, at least for numbers in our area. I killed my VoicePulse account after 4 years back in Dec' 08. I also had a number from Deltacom. I thought it was weird when Louisiana no longer had availability with VP. I guess they would have had me change my number too. But I didn't need a home phone anymore in my house after I picked up a $30 Sprint SERO plan for my kid.
--
Make your Sipura/PAP2 speak. »www.voipurize.com
SouthWest Louisiana PC Users Group »www.swlapcug.com | |
| | | 
buckeyered
Premium
join:2005-05-07
Hamilton, OH | I checked my VP number 5132851XXX and it is with Global Crossing, is this the same as Global NAPS? I hope I am not going to get the same call.
--
'If you change phone numbers one more time I am leaving you.' - My wife | |
| | | | stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA |
why would someone with a small business to run muck about with risky Internet-based VoIP? Seems like a poor cost/risk benefit tradeoff, and a needless time diversion. | |
| | nitzan
Premium,VIP
join:2008-02-27 | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? Disagree. There's plenty of things VoIP can do for a business - for a fraction of the price - that POTS would not. | |
| | 
RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| said by stevech0 :why would someone with a small business to run muck about with risky Internet-based VoIP? Seems like a poor cost/risk benefit tradeoff, and a needless time diversion. for the same reason that you will take your turn at a 4-way stop sign -- you expect others to obey the rules and not crash into you. to my knowledge, the only US-based VOIP providers that are in any way tainted by not following the portability rules are VoicePulse and MagicJack. I can't recall similar complaints about any other providers. | |
| | | stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·VoicePulse
1 edit | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? to my knowledge, the only US-based VOIP providers that are in any way tainted by not following the portability rules are VoicePulse and MagicJack. I can't recall similar complaints about any other providers.
Go read the sordid history of ViaTalk, on all fronts, not just NP.
As a simple residential user, I've been pleased with VoicePulse. Quite near POTS reliability on my cable modem. | |
| | | | 
usa2k
Please PRAY for Rebekah
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-26
Canton, MI
clubs:
·VOIPo
·WOW Internet and C..
·Broadvox Direct
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? said by stevech0 :Go read the sordid history of ViaTalk, on all fronts, not just NP. As a simple residential user, I've been pleased with VoicePulse. Quite near POTS reliability on my cable modem. Was that:
"... not just LNP"
--
Jim, VoIP 12/2002, VOIPo 2/2007
FAH-Tool ... Pets ... USA2K site ... Artist-247 | |
| | | | | | |
RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? said by PX Eliezer :said by RockyBB :To my knowledge What about BroadVoice Strange as it might sound, I don't possess all knowledge! Though I don't recall complaints about BV and LNP.
I might also mention that though VP is tainted with LNP problems, it should be understood that not all VP customers would have that issue -- only those numbers that were sourced by troublesome CLECs such as Global NAPS are affected. | |
| | | | | | bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| said by stevech0 :why would someone with a small business to run muck about with risky Internet-based VoIP? Seems like a poor cost/risk benefit tradeoff, and a needless time diversion. VOIP provided nice features to a small business...
- Scheduled DND was great for a home office line
- Ability to forward calls to my cell if expecting an important call and going to be out of the office
- VMs e-mailed to my Black Berry as attachments
POTS may provide all of these, but if so, at a serious premium to the price of VOIP and with a small business, being frugal is important stretching a thin budget in the early years.
In hindsight, yes, I've been bit by VOIP, but this is never a scenario I imagined. And given the FCC rules, not one most people would make a plan B for. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
burgerwars
join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA
·voip.ms
·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? Geesh. 172 days to do a port, and only after jumping through hoops no one has jumped before. Broadvoice and GlobalNAPS just want to wear a customer out until they give up. I wonder what one sh*tty number means to GlobalNAPS to have to put customers through this. Whether one needs to complain about their provider, the carrier, or both, to the FCC, they need to complain. Both need to comply with FCC regulations if they want to do business in the U.S. To have excuses of pointing fingers to each other just so they don't have to port, is unacceptable. | |
| 
meeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@comcast.net | so what happened to the porting of your phone number.. was verizon able to do this? | |
| bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| Hi all, thanks for the additional comments and continued interest 
I cannot yet report joy or no joy, but my guess is that it isn't looking good for keeping my number.
I'd initially started a port via Verizon on Monday, 6/29. They said, due to it being a land line, it would go through on Friday. So I had to wait 5 days to see what would happen. They said I would get a text message when the number ported Friday.
I received no text message, and my original numbers rang the original phones all weekend, so I knew it didn't go through.
Monday (7/6) Verizon called me to explain that they received a rejection to the port request with a reason "name does not match." This was exactly what Voice Pulse said would happen. I explained that to Verizon and assured that I pay the bill for that phone number. They said they would note that and send the request back to Global NAPS.
Today is another Friday, and I haven't received any good news. I'm very concerned at this point because VP originally mentioned "on about July 13th" as the date the phone number would be taken.
I am on the phone with Verizon now, they tried to conference in Global NAPS to get permission per FCC rules but the Verizon rep says he tried three times and keeps getting sent into voice mail at Global NAPS.
I found the 24x7 "Emergency Number" for Global Naps (after clicking through to Maryland on their website) and provided that to the Verizon rep. He tried that number and said it rang the same person who answered his call and transferred him to voice mail the first 3 times. He left a voice mail explaining his involvement and seeking a resolution today. We'll see what happens... | |
| | djmram
join:2005-06-02
New York, NY
1 edit | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? said by bmcent1 :I found the 24x7 "Emergency Number" for Global Naps (after clicking through to Maryland on their website) and provided that to the Verizon rep. He tried that number and said it rang the same person who answered his call and transferred him to voice mail the first 3 times. He left a voice mail explaining his involvement and seeking a resolution today. We'll see what happens... I have a friend with a Albany, NY number that is in the same situation with Voice Pulse and Global NAPs. Any new updates on porting away from Global NAPs with Verizon? If not, did you lose your number yet? Thanks! | |
| Seeley
join:2009-01-31
Eatontown, NJ
| Man, I'm glad I came across this thread. I have been trying to port a VP/NAPS number to Callcentric since Feb and it doesn't look good. I have filed a complaint naming VP w/ Naps in the notes back in the end of May. AND.....
Last Fri(July 10) I also received a crypic message from Steve at VP saying:
This is Steve reaching out to you from Voicepulse and the reason I'm calling is there's important and time-dated information pertaining to your account in specific relation to one of the phone numbers you have, 732-876-****. Being that this material is time-dated in nature, it is imperative that we review as soon as possible. So if you can please reach out to me at your earliest convenience, we'll really apreciate it.
I have not talked to Steve yet and it doesn't make any difference because it seems my naps number will either be dropped by VP or NON-portable. So why worry. As a matter of fact I just received ANOTHER update on my ticket with Callcentric that says(and this has been going on since Feb):
We have been notified by our underlying carrier that your order has been rejected/cancelled, and we should resubmit your order to them with updated documentation. You may either upload your documentation into this ticket, or you may choose to close this ticket out and open a new one. Either way, please update us back at your earliest convenience so we may proceed. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. | |
| |
RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? any consumer having difficulty getting VoicePulse to release their phone number should be filing a complaint to the FCC at »https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/formB···ge=2000B
Fill in the comments section with all info, including dates and cut n' paste all correspondence. Speak professionally and business-like; no curse words. Provide all names and phone numbers of the offending company. This is a simple number porting issue which FCC guidelines have already declared to be a routine, must obey action. VoicePulse is in obvious violation of FCC guidelines. Your service provider is VoicePulse, and they are the ones with the obligation ... your narrative should not mention any other provider other than the new one.
Seeley, you should call Steve back. Be sure to ask him his last name and direct phone number. Then tell him to get your number ported out in 24 hours or you will be raising the issue with the FCC. Be sure to provide the link I gave above, so he knows you mean business. VoicePulse knows the rules, and they know they are in violation of the rules. Tell Steve that if he doesn't get your number ported out in 24 hours, you will consider that non-action to be your invitation to have the FCC to investigate VoicePulse's willful violation of FCC guidelines about number portability. Confirm the spelling of Steve's name, as it will be included in your FCC report. If Steve won't answer to you, he can answer to the FCC. The FCC is the police in these type of issues, and you must involve them as VoicePulse will not cooperate. | |
| | | 
ropeguru
Premium
join:2001-01-25
Bridgeport, WV
clubs: | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? Is this really a VP issue or an issue where Global NAPS is holding the number hostage. From what I have been reading it is the latter. | |
| | | |
RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? it's likely an issue that GlobalNAPS is not releasing the number. But in a complaint to the FCC, a user cannot complain about a carrier's provider -- user pays the carrier, not any underlying provider. so the FCC needs to know about VoicePulse -- let VP point the finger ... according to FCC rules, the finger points right back at VP for using a provider that itself does not obey the rules. so VP is complicit. | |
| csudsu11
join:2004-05-28
Hackensack, NJ
| After many calls and lengthy conversations with numerous contacts at VoicePulse, I have learned the following. It was not easy to piece together the facts, mostly because they seem to be trying to avoid violating an NDA or some company policy.
GlobalNAPS was one of the very first providers VoicePulse began using. This was back in 2003-2004, before VoIP providers were required by the FCC to allow porting of their numbers and before Broadvoice existed. Therefore, it was implied that LNP was never agreed upon when the contract was signed, numbers ordered, and distributed to new VoicePulse customers.
This probably continued without much notice until late 2007 when the FCC ruled that VoIP providers had to support LNP.
At that point, it's probably safe to assume that many GNAPS numbers had been distributed by VoicePulse. VoicePulse claims (with supporting evidence on the forums) that they promptly began approving ports, regardless of provider, in compliance with the FCC ruling. However, they soon learned that GNAPS was rejecting all ports taking advantage of some loophole they believe applies to them. It appears the VP employees I talked to have no motivation to hold the numbers and have been ready and willing to ease the process in any way. However, they already know the outcome of GNAPS numbers and are saying they're not portable because it's the hard truth, due entirely to GNAPS refusal to port.
I believe VoicePulse is at fault for entering into a contract that didn't allow LNP, although that's somewhat mitigated by the fact that it wasn't a requirement when they signed it. They really had no way of knowing what the next FCC commissioner would implement. GlobalNAPS on the other hand is known (google them) to be a highly litigious and unscrupulous business partner in recent years, being involved in dozens of lawsuits. They are obviously not afraid of the FCC or any other entity, regardless of size or legal power. It's unlikely that a small VoIP provider will be able to force their hand to do anything, so it seems like VoicePulse is stuck fielding FCC complaints with no resolution.
Based on what users are reporting here, it sounds like they're doing the only thing possible to remove the target off their backs -- disconnecting GNAPS numbers. It's a catch-22, the more users complain that they can't port the numbers, the more motivation VP has to just drop their footprint in those areas to avoid trouble. It's unfortunate for the customers in those areas, but what's the alternate outcome here? | |
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See 11 replies to this post | |
| | PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey | Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS? 1+
Also, every business contract that I have ever seen includes a general clause about all the parties complying with all applicable laws and regulations. | |
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Re: Voice Pulse Dropping My Phone Number ... Global NAPS?
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