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? |
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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?
That is an interesting quandary. there are many Clecs at that Rate Center
»www.telcodata.us/telcodata/ratec···state=MD
To the experts here, can't any (Like Level3) represent that number and let it live on? |
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nitzan
Premium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
·ViaTalk
·Comcast
| reply to bmcent1
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. |
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bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| 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. |
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burgerwars
join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA
·voip.ms
·RoadRunner Cable
3 edits | reply to bmcent1
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. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey | reply to bmcent1
You should also use »tnid.org/ to check the CLEC that controls your number.
Just for additional confirmation. |
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josephf
join:2009-04-26
·VoicePulse
| reply to bmcent1
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. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Callcentric
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
| reply to bmcent1
Regarding your ORIGINAL number, if you can't port it, then see if you can get it back through another carrier, after July 13.
For example, maybe you could get it through BroadVoice, being that BroadVoice is under the same corporate roof as Global_NAPS.
Normally I would run away from all those guys, but in this case, trying to help you keep that number for your business. |
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nitzan
Premium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
·ViaTalk
·Comcast
| 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.  |
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josephf
join:2009-04-26 | 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. |
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bmcent1
join:2009-06-29
Frederick, MD
| reply to bmcent1
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! |
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josephf
join:2009-04-26
·VoicePulse
1 edit | 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. |
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Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to bmcent1
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... |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Callcentric
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
| reply to bmcent1
I just looked at the Number Availability tool on the VoicePulse website.
The supply of new phone numbers---at least in NJ---has SHARPLY dropped compared to what used to be available, as far as I can tell.
This tells me that they HAVE ditched one or more CLEC's. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Callcentric
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
| reply to bmcent1
Looking at the BROADVOICE website---
they do have numbers available in your town---
such as 240-358-16XX.
And the »tnid.org/ website does identify the numbers as Global_NAPS.
So again, holding your nose, your number might soon be available from BroadVoice.
At least you would be able to hold on to it for now.
Hopefully if you ever need to move it in the future, Global_NAPS will be required to obey the porting rules by then! |
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buckeyered
Premium
join:2005-05-07
Hamilton, OH | reply to bmcent1
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 |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Callcentric
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
1 edit | said by buckeyered  :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. No, no, no.
Global_NAPS and Global Crossing are totally different.
After all, French Toast and French Kiss are not the same, are they? |
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digiblur
Got Sipura?
Premium
join:2002-06-03
Louisiana
| reply to Fisamo
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 |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to bmcent1
Very unprofessional on the part of VP for not stepping up and correcting this.
As a business owner, I feel your pain. It's not that simple just to get new letterhead.
You have to re-letter vehicles, get new business cards, your yellow pages ads are useless. All your contacts and clients have your old number.
It could literally ruin your business.
Does VP have a "view your bill" page? If so, print it and bring it with you to port your number. If you are on a "family plan" for your cell phones, It may only be $10 a month. Then you can forward the number.
BTW, I'd fire VP ASAP for letting this happen.
--
Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA | reply to bmcent1
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. |
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