Number porting to GV - my experience

[jimshaw]

Many thanks to Chaiwan2000 for his very helpful guide to porting his telephone number to Google Voice. Unfortunately, I hit a roadblock and wasn't able to do the same. I set up my Obi100 and connected to an unused Google Voice account I've had for three years. But now I have a problem: How can I port my existing landline number to Google Voice without an unlocked cellphone? I have a spare LG420 cellphone from Tracfone, but apparently it's locked (from what I've read on the internet) and unlocking it would be tricky if not impossible (for me). So, does anyone know how I can switch my present landline number without buying another cellphone?

[CoalMinerRetired]

> How can I port my existing landline number to Google Voice without an unlocked cellphone?
There is no way to do it without an unlocked cell phone.  

> So, does anyone know how I can switch my present landline number without buying another cellphone?
This is a long thread, but the summary is Landline to Temporary Cell Phone number to GV. No work around for that.

Look through the thread for all the inexpensive pay-as-you-go cell phones people have used. You shouldn't be paying more than $25 for the phone (or SIM card only), because you only need if to work for 24 to 48 hours.

[Rick]

$14.99 for the A157 at Best Buy.  http://bit.ly/14HQJ28

[dircom]

There is no way to do it without an unlocked cell phone.  

A more accurate way to explain: You don't need an unlocked phone IF
you have a Tmo phn and use a Tmo sim, you have an ATT phn and use an ATT sim, etc etc
the reason to have an unlocked phn is if you want to use an ATT sim in a Tmo phn and vice versa

If you have a friend with a spare flip phn for example that would loan it to you for a few days, then your only cost would be for the sim card which have ranged in price from free to $9.99 recently.