GV porting questions
SteveInWA:
Quote from: Howard687 on November 28, 2014, 05:51:28 pm
Hi Steve
I am getting closer to giving this a try; just ordered the OBI 200. But I have a couple more questions
1. I read the instructions (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en&ref_topic=1708124) for porting a mobile phone number to GV but I am confused. Those instructions say to click on change/port and then select "I want a new number". But that path does not allow me to specify the mobile number (my land line # now a Go Phone) so I think that I should check the other option;namely, "I want to use my mobile number". Am I missing something?
The instructions are somewhat confusing. In your scenario, you already have one Google Voice number. To port in the second number, click the "Change/Port" link next to that number. A dialog box will pop up. Select "I want to use my mobile number". On the next pop-up, type in the GoPhone (formerly land line) number. It should then offer you the option to port in that number, unless the number still looks like a land line to Google, or if it is in one of the telephone exchanges that can't be ported in by Google.
If it's good to port, then pay the $20 and complete the procedure. After the number is completely ported over, you will then pay a second $20 fee, if you want to keep both this newly-ported number, and the original Google Voice-issued GV number.
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2. Can one buy an ATT gophone online and as part of that purchase, transfer theland line # - or do I need to go into an ATT store?
You can buy the phone in a store or online. In either case, you'll do the port during the initial setup of the phone on the web. It'll ask you if you want a new number from AT&T GoPhone, or if you want to use your existing number.
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3. When I purchase, e.g., a gophone, and have my current land line # "transferred" (ported?) to that phone/account, then I assume this takes effect immediately (i.e. a call to the land line # will ring the gophone) and I might as well cancel my current land line account.
As with all number ports, never cancel service on the losing carrier yourself, or your will lose the number permanently. Instead, the porting system will tell the losing carrier to cancel service after the number is moved out of their control. It may take a day or so for GoPhone to port in your land line number. Ports involving land lines take more time, and are more complex, than mobile<-->mobile ports. Just be patient and let the process run through all its steps.
Howard687:
Perfect - as usual - thanks. I am looking at GoPhones and still somewhat confused. Is there anything unique about the phone itself or is it just a type of service plan? In other words, if I have an unused cell phone, can that become a GoPhone? If not, then I'll just buy one from ATT or Amazon. Assuming this is just a throw away after the porting process, I will just buy the cheapest one out there?
thanks again for your help
SteveInWA:
The procedure is to port your telephone number to a mobile phone carrier. Technically, it could be any mobile carrier in the continental USA.
We recommend using a major-brand prepaid mobile carrier, because the cost of obtaining service on such a carrier, and then canceling it, is relatively low. T-Mobile used to be a good option, but I'm not clear whether all their plan changes have left them with a comparable cheapo prepaid option. One of Sprint's MVNOs like Ting would be another option. Avoid the MVNOs owned by America Movil (Tracfone, Straight Talk, Net10, SIMple Mobile, Page Plus), and avoid H20 Wireless, as they've all proven to be inept at land line number porting.
If you use AT&T GoPhone, (same as if you used T-Mobile), you're porting a number into an account, not to a specific handset. It can be any unlocked GSM phone, or any AT&T handset. You can buy just a SIM from AT&T GoPhone, and use an existing phone. After the number is ported in and out again, just throw away the SIM.
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