Ok, so I started this with an area code 210 (San Antonio, TX) land line with Clear, the goal is to port it to Google Voice. Here is what has happened so far:
10/13/2013 - $00.00 Signed up for Google Voice. Configured it so only callers on my white list are forwarded to my cell phone, all others go to voice mail. Confirmed that GV will port my land line but not before it becomes a mobile number.
10/15/2013 - $39.00 Ordered Obi100 from Amazon
10/18/2013 - $00.00 Obi100 arrived
10/20/2013 - $00.00 Configured GV to forward callers on white list to Obi100 & cell phone, all other callers go to voice mail.
10/21/2013 - $00.00 Confirmed with Clear that there is no charge to port number out of Clear, but it will cancel my Clear phone service. No problem, I have completed my contract obligations. Confirmed that Clear does not use a password or pin, if the service I'm porting into wants one just use your 10 digit phone number.
10/21/2013 - $00.00 Confirmed with TracFone there is no charge to port number into TracFone and no charge to port number out of TracFone. Porting a land line into TracFone can take up to 4 days.
10/21/2013 - $10.00 Bought a TracFone at WallMart. While it does not say it on the outside of the package, inside it tells you it comes with 10 minutes airtime to allow you to set-up service. WalMart clerk activated the phone and started the port process (be sure to bring a copy of your Clear bill).
10/21/2013 - $00.00 3 hours later, port has progressed to the point where I can place an outgoing call on the TracFone, in-coming calls go to TracFone voice mail. TracFone says "patience Grasshopper, we said it could take up to 4 days".
10/25/2013 - $00.00 Powered up the TracFone this morning, got a text message saying the port had completed last night at 11PM. Called my Land Line and the TracFone rang!!!! 9.16 minutes airtime left.
Summary: So for $10 I have ported my Clear Land Line to a Mobile number using TracFone. Plan is to let it "cook" for a couple of days, then port to GV (GV wants $20.00 for that). I'll update the with the results.
10/27/2013 - $20.00 Confirmed with TracFone that Google Voice would not need a password or pin to port my number to GV. Important, read the user manual for your TracFone cell phone so that you know how to send DTMF tones, required to verify the port with GV. At~4pm, went to GV and started the port process from TracFone to GV. Turns out it's actually a port from AT&T =>GV, I guess they bought TracFone.
10/28/2013 - $00.00 At about 4pm the port completed. I was not aware of any downtime during the port from TracFone to GV.
Summary: $30.00 to port from Clear to GV. Should work for porting a landline from any carrier to GV.
Next: a quest for cheap E911 service. I'll update on that in the future.
